The Santiago Center, in collaboration with Columbia’s Millstein Center for Global Markets and Corporate Ownership, hosted a seminar as part of their joint series on corporate governance, titled “The Role of Directors in Creating Long-Term Value.” This highly successful event brought together seasoned board members to share insights on how directors can fulfill their duties through inquisitive and proactive engagement with their companies' strategies, risks, and stakeholder relationships.
Sergio Guzmán, partner at the consulting firm Tomate, emphasized the importance of asking the right questions as part of a board member’s duty of care. He highlighted how powerful questions can challenge assumptions, inspire reflection, and foster meaningful debate. Guzmán proposed key questions for directors, such as: Do our annual agenda and budget reflect our priorities? Are we treating employees fairly? Is our business model effective? Are we listening to customers and retaining talent? What is our value proposition?
John Droguett, senior partner at Tax Global, provided guidance on analyzing financial statements, while Fernando Prieto, CEO of GAL&LEO, delved into questions surrounding the global technological revolution. Prieto recommended that boards explore issues such as: Are our executives prepared for technological change? Do they require additional support or consultants? Are we ready for a cyberattack? How are competitors responding to technological disruption?
Karen Poniachik, the Santiago Center’s Director, underscored the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations, with a particular focus on ethics and compliance. She encouraged board members to prioritize ESG issues as integral to long-term value creation.
Moderated by Pedro Pellegrini, a partner at Guerrero Olivo Law Firm, the seminar was co-sponsored by the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), Women Corporate Directors Chile, and the System of State-Owned Companies (SEP).
This seminar reaffirmed the Santiago Center’s commitment to equipping leaders with the tools and insights needed to navigate complex corporate challenges and foster sustainable growth.
