What are the emerging needs of business, education and nonprofit enterprises in the acquisition and development of talent in the sustainability arena? What are the best-in-class competency and capability profiles for key roles in today's evolving marketplace from the chief sustainability officer to the boardroom.

Organizations of all sizes and in all sectors today must contend with increasing amounts of regulation, legislation, and litigation. As a result, CEOs, senior executives and Boards need to understand the economic impact of legal and regulatory issues and how to manage the risks.

In any organization, there is no more essential task than recruiting, retaining, developing and motivating employees. Today’s organizations expect that their human resources function will align an organization’s business goals with the needs of its people and create innovative HR programs that attract and retain the most talented employees in the short and long term. This requires business acumen, insight into human behavior, leadership and nimbleness.

The roles of chief financial officers and other senior finance executives grow more complex with each passing year.  They must guarantee the integrity of an organization's financial condition and reported results, enhance shareholder value, oversee mergers & acquisitions, establish an optimal risk management program, and keep a sharp eye on costs.  And this must be accomplished under heightened scrutiny from government, board directors, shareholders and other stakeholders.

Today's corporate affairs executives - whether they are responsible for communications, marketing, government affairs or investor relations - are increasingly compelled to demonstrate how the function aligns to business objectives and contributes to bottom-line results. 

External Affairs professionals need not only to possess the full set of skills of their trade, but also the keen business insight needed to serve as business partners and drive performance for the organization.  

In today's dynamic global economy, the best companies recognize that their workforce and leadership must reflect the world's diverse population and the clients that they serve. The need for diversity spans all positions across all industries and all geographies.

Leading today's educational institutions requires more than experience in this field.  A university president or chancellor must possess exemplary management and strategic planning skills, unquestioned integrity, financial acumen, and a commitment to faculty and students in order to navigate the increasingly complex world of education.

Executives of trade and professional associations, nonprofit philanthropic foundations, and private voluntary organizations face the same issues and talent management concerns as do their for profit counterparts. Organizations around the world are facing significant human capital and constraints to be more efficient. How should these organizations respond?