The world is at a critical crossroads, grappling with escalating geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and urgent environmental concerns. Amid these challenges, the start of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting coincides with the inauguration of the 47th US president, with many divided on the impact on global business.

In light of these risks and uncertainties, Kearney will be hosting this briefing to equip chief executive officers with the foresight and tools needed to navigate an increasingly complex risk landscape. The session will delve into key global trends, explore potential scenarios, and offer actionable insights for the months ahead.

We are pleased to welcome Erik Peterson, Partner and Managing Director of the Global Business Policy Council, a premier foresight and strategic analysis unit, to share his expert perspectives on the major challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Between 2025 and 2028, businesses will face rapid advancements in AI, particularly in generative AI, alongside other disruptive technologies. CEOs will need to not only navigate but also lead through these transformations, adopting new AI-driven capabilities to remain competitive amid economic uncertainties and sustainability imperatives. During this Kearney-hosted panel session, we'll unveil groundbreaking insights from our inaugural AI-Preparedness and Leadership study. Focused specifically on the role of CEOs as primary changemakers in an AI-enabled era, we'll share critical findings on AI adoption strategies, leadership effectiveness, and sustainable growth in the face of rapid technological change.

Our expert panel will discuss the raft of challenges CEOs face right now, including AI regulation, total cost of ownership (TCO), and talent availability and upskilling, while also outlining the opportunities AI presents as an innovation—and as a long-term growth enabler in an increasingly volatile global landscape.

Kearney in collaboration with The Futurum Group.

As we enter a period of shifting national priorities on climate and nature, global companies are faced with the challenge of navigating divergent policies and regulations while continuing to advance their sustainability agendas. While the uncertainty created by inconsistent national approaches poses a challenge, mounting evidence shows that aligning business strategies with environmental stewardship and societal well-being not only generates positive impact but also strengthens organizational resilience and enhances financial performance.

This networking reception will bring together leaders, innovators, and change-makers from across industries to discuss how organizations can stay true to their climate and nature-related goals, even amid fragmented policy landscapes. Through collaborative discussions and knowledge sharing, we aim to foster partnerships that support the transition to a low-carbon economy, promote biodiversity conservation, and accelerate the development of innovative solutions to the climate crisis. This reception offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, explore avenues for sustainable growth, and drive lasting environmental change, whether through partnerships, investments, or the adoption of emerging technologies. Join us for an evening of networking, inspiration, and collective action as we work together toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Our businesses have been in a constant crisis mode for the past five years. We steered through the health crisis, then the economic crisis. We faced significant societal issues, racial issues, environmental issues. We have faced rising geopolitical tension and a return to the industrial policy era as countries set out to protect their economies and people. As we respond to the different shocks to our businesses, what untapped value has been lost in the process?

During this session, we will hear from executives on how they have grappled with the many shocks to their businesses, the resulting pressure on people, profit, and planet, and how they are rethinking their end-to-end value chain to generate new value, reduce disruptions, achieve their climate goals, and address rising costs.

Business leaders today are navigating an increasingly complex and challenging environment, shaped by a convergence of geopolitical risks, shifting industrial policies, technological advancements, and environmental pressures. These factors are creating new uncertainties and transforming supply chain operations, but also demanding significant capital investments in infrastructure, cybersecurity, and talent.

Amid these challenges, there is mounting pressure for companies to adopt sustainable practices. Business leaders are compelled to invest in greener supply chain models by adopting cleaner technologies, sourcing responsibly, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Simultaneously, evolving industrial policies, such as subsidies, tariffs, and reshoring incentives, further complicate decisions around capital deployment and require businesses to adapt quickly to new regulatory landscapes and strategic opportunities.

Given these dynamics, the central question is: how are business leaders adjusting their capital investments to navigate this unpredictable landscape? What approaches are they adopting to build an innovative, sustainable, and resilient supply chain that is ready for the future?

Despite recent spotlights on the gender health gap and the personal, societal, and economic benefits of investing in women’s health, 51 percent of the world's population remain disadvantaged when it comes to healthcare with regard to access, funding, data, and prioritization.

Last year’s World Economic Forum Annual Meeting press conference saw Paula Bellostas Muguerza, founder of [w]Health and Global Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences at Kearney, highlight the urgent need for mobilization, collaboration, and creativity to redesign a healthcare system for women and the opportunities waiting to be captured by all actors in the healthcare ecosystem from pharma and medtech to logistics and venture capital. Accordingly, during this session, we will explore the partnerships and action needed from governments, philanthropy, and industry on both a global and local scale and discuss the arrival of a new 2025 index to provide the crucial baseline data, recognize best practices, and accelerate positive change.

In today’s interconnected world, companies face the challenge of balancing global scale with local relevance. To succeed in diverse markets, businesses must navigate the complexities of regional cultural nuances, consumer preferences, and regulatory environments while maintaining a unified global brand identity.

During this event we’ll explore the strategies that enable companies to be both global and local, examining how firms adapt their products, marketing, and operations to meet the unique demands of different regions without compromising their overarching corporate vision or bottom line. Sharing insights from senior executives from multinational companies, we will explore how organizations are achieving both global reach and local resonance through agile strategies, deep consumer understanding, and the delicate balance between standardization and adaptation.

Speakers 

• Laurent Freixe, CEO, Nestlé
• Christophe Beck, CEO, Ecolab