50/50 Women on Boards, the leading global nonprofit advancing the business case for diverse boards, has announced its featured speaker lineup for the 2026 Breakfast of Corporate Champions, set for September 17 in New York City.
The event will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET at 48 Wall Street, bringing together executives and governance leaders from across major U.S. corporations.
More than 230 S&P 500 and Fortune 1000 companies will be honored at the event for achieving at least 40% women directors on their boards.
Ron Vachris, President and Chief Executive Officer of Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST), will receive the prestigious Muriel F. Siebert Leadership Award in recognition of his commitment to advancing women in leadership and corporate governance.
Confirmed speakers include executives from Dow, S&P Global, AMD (NASDAQ: AMD), Nasdaq, Mastercard (NYSE: MA), Wells Fargo, Edelman, and SoFi, among others.
“The companies recognized at the Breakfast of Corporate Champions demonstrate what forward-looking board leadership looks like today,” said Heather Spilsbury, CEO of 50/50 Women on Boards.
Spilsbury added that board composition at these companies “reflects a commitment to risk oversight, innovation, and long-term growth — all of which strengthen performance for their companies, investors, and shareholders.”
The breakfast will kick off the 50/50 Women on Boards annual Global Summit: The Future Board Agenda, convening CEOs, corporate directors, investors, and governance leaders for discussions on AI oversight, risk, and the future of board leadership.
Confirmed speakers include Ruth Cotter, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at AMD, Richard Davis as Lead Director of Dow and board director of Mastercard and Wells Fargo, Jim Fitterling as Chair and CEO of Dow, and Kirsty Graham, CEO of Edelman.
“Since the inception in 2011, the Breakfast of Corporate Champions has shined a light on companies and leaders who recognize gender balance in the boardroom as a clear and critical business imperative,” said Janice Ellig, founder of the event.
Ellig, who launched the event when she served as President of the Women’s Forum of New York, added that “as challenges ramp up, companies more than ever need to tap into the incredible talent pool women represent.”
Sponsors of the 2026 event include Diamond Sponsors Broadridge, Genworth Financial, and S&P Global, as well as Platinum Sponsors AptarGroup and Bank of America, with United Airlines serving as the official airline.
Additional speakers and honorees are expected to be announced in the coming months ahead of the September event.
