Corporate Directors Peer Discussions - CEO Succession Planning

Friday, October 16 

CEO Succession Planning

Penny Herscher, Former CEO, Current Board Chair &  Nom/Gov Chair

Sonita Lontoh, Partner, Alpha AI and Board Director, Sunrun and Trueblue, Inc.

The textbook CEO succession process is planned, smooth, and takes six to nine months. Reality is rarely so tidy. Penny Herscher knows this firsthand. Currently serving as Chairman of the Board at both Lumentum and Penguin Solutions — and as a board member at public company Forvia SA and private company Modern Health — Penny has navigated three concurrent CEO searches in a single year. A twice-proven President & CEO in Silicon Valley's technology sector, she brings the dual lens of seasoned operator and experienced board chair to one of governance's most consequential challenges.

Also familiar with these challenges, Sonita Lontoh sits at the intersection of AI governance, board leadership, and Fortune 100 operating experience. She serves on the boards of Sunrun, the largest U.S. consumer solar and battery company, and TrueBlue, a global workforce-solutions leader. She is also a Partner at Alpha, an AI governance firm, and an advisor to Sway Ventures, Kearney, and the Responsible AI Institute.

In this candid fireside chat, Penny and Sonita share practical insights to help directors anticipate surprises, manage the process with confidence, and lead their organizations through a successful CEO transition. Expect frameworks, candor, and real war stories. The session concludes with breakout discussions where corporate directors can share their own experiences, ask questions, and learn from one another in closed-door rooms.