In the third chapter of Boardrooms in Transition, seasoned public company director and Chair Circle co-founder Karen Francis explores what it takes to lead through uncertainty. Drawing on decades of experience across automotive, mobility, technology, and healthcare, Karen examines how boards weigh transformational opportunities, allocate scarce capital, and maintain confidence when the future is anything but clear.

We also discuss:

• The tradeoffs boards face when pursuing major transformations

• Why timing matters as much as conviction when placing strategic bets

• How investor trust influences a company's ability to execute

• The distinction between board oversight and management execution

• Why broad experience around the board table matters in times of uncertainty

• How trust between directors and management enables better decisions

As the series reaches its midpoint, Karen reminds us that transformation is rarely a straight line. Success depends not only on making the right bet, but on having the confidence and discipline to stay the course when the road ahead disappears into the fog.

Boardrooms in Transition: www.boardroomsintransition.u-path.com
Inside CVC: www.u-path.com/podcast
U-Path Venture Advisors: www.u-path.com

Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and composer Wayne Escoffery for lending his music to the soundtrack of Boardrooms in Transition. A member of the Yale School of Music faculty and one of the leading voices in contemporary jazz, Wayne's work helps bring this series to life. Learn more about Wayne and his music at www.wayneescoffery.com.

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