2026 M&A Summit - San Francisco

12:00 PM - 01:00 PM PT

Registration, Networking and Light Lunch

01:00 PM - 01:05 PM PT

Opening Remarks

David K. Young, President, The CEO Center, The Conference Board

01:05 PM - 01:30 PM PT

When Geopolitics Drives the Deal

Geopolitics is no longer a backdrop to business. It is actively shaping strategy, investment and M&A. From AI and cybersecurity to trade policy, supply chains and the race for global competitiveness, CEOs must decide where to invest, which capabilities to acquire, and which markets and partnerships will position their companies for growth. How should leaders navigate this new reality? Where are the biggest opportunities emerging? And what will separate the companies that move quickly and reinvent themselves from those that fall behind?

John T. Chambers, Founder & CEO, JC2 Ventures, Former Executive Chairman & CEO, Cisco

Katie Roof, Editor at Large, Business Insider

01:30 PM - 02:00 PM PT

The New Economics of Innovation: When to Build, Buy, or Partner

As AI accelerates the pace of innovation, companies must decide how to acquire the capabilities needed to compete. Building internally, buying technology, or forming strategic partnerships each offer distinct advantages, but the decision has become increasingly complex. AI is reshaping not only the technologies companies need to own, but also the infrastructure, talent, and resources required to develop and scale them, from computing capacity and energy to entirely new business models. How should leaders rethink their approach to growth and investment to compete in a new era of innovation?

Brian Robins, Chief Financial Officer, Snowflake

John Somorjai, Chief Corporate Development and Investments Officer, Salesforce

Molly Wood, Founder and CEO, Molly Wood Media

02:00 PM - 02:30 PM PT

The Changing Deal Landscape: Acquisitions, Divestitures, and Growth

The rules of dealmaking are changing. Expanding into new markets and strengthening core businesses remain the primary drivers of M&A activity, while nearly half of dealmakers are also pursuing acquisitions to gain new technology capabilities and talent. As AI drives demand for compute, infrastructure, and specialized capabilities, where are the next strategic assets and acquisition opportunities emerging? What is driving today's M&A market how is the tech-driven market changing the landscape and where are the next opportunities emerging?

Alexa Fedyukova, VP of Corporate Development, Okta

Steve Sapletal, Principal, U.S. Transaction Strategy Practice Leader, KPMG US

02:30 PM - 03:00 PM PT

Meet and Connect

03:00 PM - 03:20 PM PT

AI as a Deal Tool: How Technology Is Changing M&A and Divestitures

The conversation around AI in dealmaking is shifting from potential to practical application. Organizations are increasingly testing and deploying AI tools to streamline processes, analyze large volumes of information and support decision-making throughout the transaction lifecycle. But where is AI delivering measurable value? Which stages of the deal lifecycle are seeing the greatest impact, and what governance, controls, and human oversight are needed to ensure these tools are applied effectively and responsibly? Panelists will discuss how leading organizations are incorporating AI into transaction execution and the lessons learned along the way.

Aabhas Sharma, President & Chief Technology Officer, Hebbia

KC Whitney, Head of Corporate Development, Atlassian

Lily Jamali, North America Technology Correspondent, BBC News

03:20 PM - 03:45 PM PT

More Than Valuation: Finding the Right Partner in M&A

As M&A activity rebounds, boards and management teams are placing greater emphasis on strategic fit, execution certainty, and long-term value creation; not just valuation. Most CEOs are pursuing M&A while simultaneously redesigning portfolios for future growth and resilience. So while price remains a critical factor, many transactions are ultimately shaped by considerations that extend beyond the highest bid. How are organizations balancing valuation against longer-term priorities? What distinguishes a strong partner from simply the most aggressive bidder?

Randy Tinsley, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, Synopsys, Inc.

Gordon Parker, Corporate Vice President and Head of M&A, Corporate Development, AMD

Katie Roof, Editor at Large, Business Insider

03:45 PM - 04:10 PM PT

Winning Beyond the Deal

The strongest companies no longer view M&A as a periodic event. They treat acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic partnerships as part of an ongoing effort to reshape their business and position themselves for future growth. Building that capability requires an organization that can align around a clear strategy, evaluate opportunities quickly, and execute effectively from deal origination through integration. How are leading companies strengthening these capabilities? Where is AI improving decision-making across the deal lifecycle? And what approaches are proving most effective in creating long-term value through portfolio transformation?

Jeff Greene, Managing Director, Corporate M&A, RSM US LLP

Austin Johnsen, Vice President and Head of Corporate Development, Zapier

David K. Young, President, The CEO Center, The Conference Board

04:10 PM - 04:40 PM PT

The New Regulatory Playbook for M&A

Regulatory risk has become a boardroom issue. As antitrust scrutiny intensifies and governments take a greater interest in cross-border transactions, regulatory considerations are influencing which deals get pursued, how they are structured, and whether they ultimately reach the finish line. So how are companies adapting to a more complex approval environment? Speakers will discuss the evolving role of regulatory strategy in M&A, including approaches to managing deal certainty, navigating global jurisdictions, and anticipating potential challenges before they become obstacles to execution.

Sarretta McDonough, Chief Regulatory Counsel, Global Antitrust and International Trade, Intel Corporation

Renata Hesse, Co-Head of Antitrust Practice, Sullivan & Cromwell

Tom Ensign, Antitrust & Competition Partner, Fenwick & West

Edward Ludlow, Host, Bloomberg Technology, Bloomberg

04:40 PM - 05:00 PM PT

The Deal Narrative: Communication, Shareholders, and Credibility

Every deal is judged at the moment it's announced. Investors, employees, and analysts immediately start testing the rationale, the price, and the upside. In that environment, how a transaction is communicated can be as important as the deal itself. Clear messaging around strategy and value creation has become central to securing support and maintaining credibility through the process. This panel explores how companies shape the story around major transactions, manage shareholder expectations, and respond when scrutiny intensifies. What separates deals that win confidence from those that face resistance and how can leaders stay credible from announcement through to execution?

Derek Zaba, Partner and Co-Chair, Shareholder Activism and Corporate Defense Practice, Sidley Austin LLP

John Christiansen, Partner and Co-Head of West Coast Offices, FGS Global

David K. Young, President, The CEO Center, The Conference Board

05:00 PM - 05:05 PM PT

Closing Remarks

David K. Young, President, The CEO Center, The Conference Board

05:05 PM - 06:30 PM PT

Networking Reception

Steve Sapletal, Principal, U.S. Transaction Strategy Practice Leader, KPMG US