Top tips and advice from judges Joan Conley and Eileen Kamerick
We asked judges Joan Conley, board member with EJF Acquisition Corp and Tigo Energy, and Eileen Kamerick, non-executive director at Associated Banc-corp, ACV Auctions, Hochschild Mining and Legg Mason Closed End Funds, about the type of things they do and don't want to see in your entries.
Why are the Corporate Governance Awards important within the US governance community?
Joan Conley: Both the role and the work of the governance professional has evolved over the past decade, most notably during the past three years. Both the board and the C-suite rely on the governance [team] more than ever before to peer around the corner and spot issues [then] identify and propose solutions. The annual Corporate Governance Awards recognize innovative governance thought leaders and programs. Governance professionals, boards and C-suite members all learn from the noteworthy programs created by the Corporate Governance Awards recipients. The governance and ESG programs and disclosures of the annual award winners are the ultimate learning tool for a governance professional.
What is your advice for someone making a submission to the awards for the first time?
Joan Conley: Please tell your comprehensive story for the judges to review. As a judge, I conduct a deep dive review of the current proxy and the prior year’s proxy to identify enhancements and innovation as detailed in the submission. It is most helpful to have the submitter assist with highlighting learnings (content and sources) from prior years and enhancements.
Eileen Kamerick: My advice for making a submission for the first time is to be authentic and think about what is unique and a competitive differentiator for your company.
What are you not so keen on seeing - or what do you see too much of - on some entry forms?
Joan Conley: I am keen on seeing new and enhanced disclosures presented in a meaningful way based on engagement sessions with stockholders and stakeholders. I am also seeking innovative governance and ESG programs responsive to SEC rulemaking proposals and global governance trends.
Eileen Kamerick: It’s better not to write long reams of text but to have something that is visual in terms of your approach.
What can members of the governance community learn from putting together a submission and watching who wins the awards?
Joan Conley: There is an enormous learning opportunity in reviewing and conducting a deep dive on the content of the annual Corporate Governance Award winners. I used the innovative approach and content as a guide for many in my role. Learning from award-winners as recognized by the awards is the richest education a governance professional can have on an annual basis.
Eileen Kamerick: I think looking at what others have done and how they have approached specific governance issues can always be a teaching moment. That is one of the advantages of entering this contest.
What would you say to someone unsure about entering their work for an award?
Joan Conley: My counsel would be to look at the past year’s award winners, and conduct a gap analysis on your company programs and the award winner programs to determine if you have instituted an innovative program.
Eileen Kamerick: You don’t have to be a large cap company to win; we see lots of fantastic submissions from smaller companies.
What are you most looking forward to a return to an in-person awards ceremony this year?
Joan Conley: Hands down: in-person engagement with governance professionals and governance thought leaders!
Eileen Kamerick: I look forward to meeting all of the governance aficionados and learning what motivated them to enter the contest. I love hearing about people overcoming governance problems and turning challenges into opportunities.
The deadline for submissions is midnight (ET) on Friday, July 22. Submit your entries before the deadline here.
Click here to see a detailed review of last year’s winners and their work.