At the 2025 WomenExecs on Boards (WEoB) Annual Symposium held on September 15 in Half Moon Bay, CA, leaders and directors from across industries gathered to exchange insights on how boards can thrive in an era of disruption. Among the timely conversations was “Navigating Geopolitical Risks: Considerations for Board Oversight & Governance,” featuring Lisa Lim, Serica Board Vice President and global business strategist with deep experience spanning technology, financial services, life sciences, and consumer sectors. Lim has built her career guiding organizations through market expansion, cross-border transactions, and complex governance challenges—expertise that proved invaluable for this discussion.

Lisa Lim, Serica Board Vice President, retired EY Partner and global business strategist

Lim underscored that directors today must navigate a landscape shaped by three interconnected forces: geopolitical shifts, economic policy changes, and cybersecurity risks. These forces not only disrupt markets and supply chains but also reshape regulatory landscapes and long-term strategic planning. Six key themes from the session included:

1. Building Boards for Complexity:

Strong governance begins with board composition. Directors should bring a diversity of professional backgrounds and international perspectives, from supply chain and technology to regulatory and risk management expertise. Just as important, Lim noted, is cultivating directors who embody curiosity and continuous learning—leaders who ask the right questions and challenge management to consider all angles. The role of the non-executive chair or lead independent director is critical in ensuring these discussions are both rigorous and productive.

2. Planning for Policy Uncertainty:

Recent shifts in trade policy illustrate the volatility boards must anticipate. For example, new 25% tariffs on auto imports—even from USMCA partners—have left many companies scrambling to reconfigure supply chains. With the Supreme Court set to weigh in on the legality of broad-based tariffs later this year, Lim asked: Is your company prepared for multiple outcomes? How will decisions ripple across pricing, sourcing, and long-term investment? For boards, integrating scenario planning into strategy is no longer optional—it is essential.

3. Engaging with Policymakers:

Lim highlighted the importance of proactive government relations, citing examples from Apple and Nvidia. Apple CEO Tim Cook’s cultivation of political relationships enabled the company to shield critical products from tariffs while diversifying production to India. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, meanwhile, has balanced direct engagement in Washington with maintaining access to Chinese markets. For boards, the takeaway is clear: robust government relations strategies are as vital as financial or operational planning.

4. Embedding Risk Management:

Traditional annual risk reviews no longer suffice. With disruptions emerging from immigration policy shifts to supply chain shocks, risk management must be integrated, cross-functional, and continuous. Boards should ask whether enterprise risk frameworks are designed to capture lessons from current crises and prepare for future disruptions.

5. Confronting Cybersecurity and AI:

As the digital landscape evolves, cybersecurity remains a top concern. Artificial intelligence offers powerful defensive capabilities but also expands the attack surface for malicious actors. Boards must push management to explain not only how AI is being deployed to strengthen defenses, but also how risks such as data misuse, breaches, and reputational harm are being mitigated.

6. Leveraging Partnerships for Agility:

Finally, Lim stressed the role of strategic partnerships. In an environment where capital and market access can be constrained, alliances allow companies to remain asset-light and agile. Boards should continually assess whether partnerships could unlock growth, speed entry into new markets, or offset structural risks.

Lisa Lim’s insights resonate deeply with Serica’s mission to empower AAPI women leaders through mentorship, convening, and storytelling. Just as boards must embrace diverse perspectives, continuous learning, and proactive engagement to navigate geopolitical risks, Serica equips emerging leaders with the tools and networks to thrive in complexity. From the Trailblazers Conference & Gala to the AAPI Women’s Mentorship Program, Serica creates spaces where women leaders build resilience, share strategies, and amplify their voices—ensuring that the next generation is prepared to lead with foresight in an uncertain world.

👉 Learn more about the symposium and its sessions here: WomenExecs on Boards 2025 Annual Symposium