🎙️ EP. 77 —Inside GCC Boards: Governance & Investor Relations

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Lisa Gulesserian and John Gollifer from the GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI) to discuss how governance, board effectiveness and investor relations are developing across the GCC.

We explore key regional differences in board maturity, the role of IR as Gulf markets deepen, and the challenges boards face around composition, diversity, succession and disclosure. 

This discussion offers a clear, research-based view of the issues shaping boardrooms across the region today.

Referenced Material:
GCC BDI Board Effectiveness Review 2025: https://gccbdi.org/gcc-bdi-board-effectiveness-review-2025

GCC Board Directors Institute: https://gccbdi.org

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Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:19 GCC BDI and its role
• 3:23 Board Director Education and Certification Programs
• 7:10 Understanding Investor Relations
• 12:22 The Evolution of Investor Relations in the GCC
• 19:48 Corporate Governance Challenges and Lessons Learned
• 25:49 The Importance of Board Diversity
• 30:08 Cultural Dimensions and Opportunities for Women
• 32:23 Unified Investor Relations Standards in the GCC
• 36:09 Challenges of Succession in Family Businesses
• 40:15 Future Challenges for Boards and the IR Industry
• 45:51 GCCBDI's Role in Thought Leadership and Research