PLEASE NOTE WE HAVE CANCELLED THIS WEBINAR FOR MAY 2nd. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND LOOK FORWARD TO RESCHEDULING IN EARLY FALL 2023. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS PROGRAM.

Co-sponsored by Santa Clara University

As an extension of our private company board series in 2023, this session will address the economy, financial challenges, and risk management for start-up boards.  The last few years have been an economic rollercoaster, and entrepreneurial companies have gone through quite a ride. How have start-up boards addressed issues such as inflation, supply chain issues, and geopolitics? What types of strategies should start-up boards consider for future economic downturns and upswings? And how have recent banking woes impacted the future of how private companies consider their finances? Join our panel of experts as they continue to demystify the start-up board and discuss how economics and risk management play a significant role in a board member’s fiduciary duties.

SPEAKERS

Evan Epstein

Evan Epstein is the founding Executive Director of the Center for Business Law (“CBL“) at UC College of the Law, San Francisco. Professor Epstein is a corporate governance expert and has advised founders, executives, directors and investors for over 15 years in Silicon Valley and internationally. He has deep experience with executive and director education, and is the former Executive Director of the Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Center for Corporate Governance. He has also served as a Professor at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Law School, and he is a former corporate lawyer with practice experience in Europe and Latin America.

Michael Huskins

Michael Huskins is an experienced business leader, IT and operations consultant, and entrepreneur who has worked across  a number of industries, including the semiconductor, financial services, banking, and healthcare sectors. Mike is currently Co-founder and Chief Legal Officer at Nikkl and Board Trustee at Charles Armstrong School.  He was previously Head of Product Operations at Twilio, Inc. and Associate Principal at McKinsey & Company. 

Brian Patterson

Brian Patterson serves as Global Vice Chair of the Latham & Watkins’ Emerging Companies Practice and represents emerging companies through all stages of growth and advises the venture capital and private equity funds that invest in the emerging companies space.  Mr. Patterson leverages his passion for entrepreneurship and technology with his significant experience counseling startups on the full range of issues they may face. Mr. Patterson serves on the board of the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology, where he has been a featured speaker on startup and venture capital law and business.

Banafsheh Akhlaghi, moderator

Banafsheh Akhlaghi has over 20 years of experience as founder of a civil rights nonprofit, consultant to the United Nations, Regional Director with Amnesty International, and founder of an international private law practice. Her expertise includes Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG), Risk Management, Legal & Business Strategy, Diversity & Inclusion, and Public Policy. Immediate past co-chairwoman, and a member since 2010, of the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission of the State Bar of California, focusing on legal advocacy for underserved and underrepresented populations. Member of the Board of Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco focused on access to low-cost liquidity, essential financial services, and resources for affordable housing and economic development to our member banks. Member of Board of Advisors of Entefy, an advanced AI and process automation company.