Natasha Allen is a partner at Foley & Lardner in Silicon Valley, serving as Co-Chair for Artificial Intelligence, Co-Chair of the Venture Capital Committee, and a member of the Venture Capital, M&A, and Transactions Practices. In this episode, we explore the risks and opportunities of AI, focusing on its regulatory landscape. We also discuss the state of startups and venture capital in Silicon Valley, including IPO and M&A activity, and examine how antitrust and national security concerns have influenced dealmaking. Additionally, we discuss the dynamics between private and public markets, the impact of geopolitics, diversity challenges, and the increasing politicization of ESG and DEI in the boardroom. If you like this show, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing this podcast on social media. You can also contribute as a Patron on the link patreon.com/BoardroomGovernancePod or you can subscribe to the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at evanepstein.substack.com This podcast is sponsored by the American College of Governance Counsel.
(0:00) Intro
(1:20) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.
(2:06) Start of interview.
(2:37) Natasha's "origin story."
(6:25) On the risks and opportunities for AI.
(8:39) On the regulatory landscape of AI in the US. Reference to President Biden's Executive Order.
(11:40) On California's regulation of AI (SB 1047).
(15:24) On the international AI regulatory landscape, including the EU AI legislation.
(20:35) On the state of startups and venture capital in Silicon Valley.
(25:34) On the 'stay private or go public' debate.
(28:50) On the increased antitrust scrutiny by the FTC and DOJ, particularly in tech industry.
(30:08) On the increased national security scrutiny via CFIUS reviews. The new geopolitics of dealmaking.
(35:46) On the increased politicization of the boardroom, including ESG and DEI.
(38:32) On boardroom diversity and challenges to SB-826 and AB-979 (California), and Nasdaq's Diversity Rule.
(42:20) Books that have greatly influenced her life:
(42:57) Her mentors.
(43:49) Quotes that she thinks of often or lives her life by: "Don't Self-Select."
(51:17) An unusual habit or absurd thing that he loves.
(44:17) The living person that she most admires. One of them is Michelle Obama.
Natasha Allen is a partner at Foley & Lardner in Silicon Valley, serving as Co-Chair for Artificial Intelligence, Co-Chair of the Venture Capital Committee, and a member of the Venture Capital, M&A, and Transactions Practices.