The Board's Role in Risk Strategy

Join ERM program Part-Time Lecturer Melody Feinberg as she interviews Ron Cathcart, Vice Chair of the Natixis US Risk Committee and former U.S. representative to the Policy Development Group of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. Cathcart previously served as head of Enterprise Risk Supervision at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and chief enterprise risk officer at Washington Mutual, with additional senior risk roles at CIBC, Bank One, and RBC.

Ron will discuss how boards can elevate oversight by embracing strategic risk dialogue, sharpening information flow, and embedding scenario analysis into decision-making. He will emphasize the importance of board composition, management alignment, and a forward-looking mindset that treats risk as a strategic capability rather than a compliance exercise. Boards must be willing to challenge management and engage deeply in discussions around risk appetite and strategic choices.

Cathcart will also explore the rising importance of scenario-based planning to anticipate disruption and the need for management to bring data-driven “what-if” analyses to the boardroom. Ron will highlight emerging risks reshaping oversight—including AI, cyber threats, and geopolitical shifts—and illustrate how a proactive, forward-leaning board can help shape the organization’s risk posture, resilience, and long-term success.

Moderator: Melody Feinberg, Independent Board Member, Axiom Bank and Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York

Panelist: Ron Cathcart, Vice Chair of the Natixis US Risk Committee and former U.S. representative to the Policy Development Group of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision

In Person Location:

Butler Library, Room 203

535 W 114 Street, New York, NY 10027

For questions about this event, please contact Joshua Gleich, jg4173 [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

To obtain additional information about program offerings at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, please contact an Admissions Counselor at inquire [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

If you require closed captioning, sign-language interpretation, or any other disability accommodations, please contact Disability Services, disability [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu, at least 10 days in advance.

Please visit Columbia University’s Hub for Emergency Preparedness to stay up to date on the latest campus health and safety policies.

This event is open to individuals irrespective of identity and sex.