Barry Lawson Williams: Addressing Board Refreshment—"the Most Pressing Issue in Corporate Governance Today"

Barry Lawson Williams is a retired director who has served on the boards of 14 public companies. Since 2012, Barry has dedicated himself to promoting diversity in corporate boardrooms and mentoring Black professionals. Widely regarded as an icon in the Black corporate board community, he has led several impactful board-related projects. Our conversation explores his journey through corporate boards, his significant board-related projects, and his insights on board committee work. We also discuss the origin and evolution of the BCBR Program at Santa Clara University, the impact of California's board diversity laws, and the challenges of navigating the current political landscape. Ultimately, we address what he considers the most pressing issue in corporate governance today: board refreshment.