Sonita Lontoh is an independent director of Sunrun, the largest consumer solar-and-battery-as-a-service company in the U.S., and of TrueBlue, a workforce solutions company that connected ~2 million people to work in the past 3 years. Previously, she had a ~30 year executive career at the intersection of innovation, climate/sustainability and digital transformation with companies such as HP, Siemens, and PG&E, and at other venture-backed startups. We discuss the NACD Blue Ribbon Commission Report on board culture, where she served as a commissioner, the increasing politicization of the boardroom, and the impact of geopolitics in the boardroom. We also address the risks and opportunities of AI and its potential impact in the workforce. 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.
(1:24) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.
(2:12) Start of interview.
(4:04) Sonita's "origin story."
(5:45) Her professional career, starting with a startup in the gaming industry.
(8:15) Her guiding principles for her career at the intersection of innovation, sustainability and digital transformation.
(9:30) Her roles at HP, Siemens and PG&E.
(11:00) Her board "portfolio" life starting in 2022: SunRun and TrueBlue. Advisor to Sway Ventures.
(14:02) About the NACD Blue Ribbon Commission on Board Culture (where she served as a Commissioner).
(17:00) Surprises and takeaways from the report.
(22:30) Recommendations for handling the increasing politicization in the boardroom.
(26:42) On geopolitics in the boardroom. Supply-chain vs consumer market.
(31:30) On the solar and battery industry geopolitical landscape.
(38:23) How should directors think about AI in the boardroom. "Everyday AI" vs "Game-changing AI". Use cases: 1) Back-office capabilities, 2) core capabilities, 3) front office, 4) New products and services. AI code of conduct. Use of data. Cybersecurity.
(43:51) On the impact of AI in the workplace. *reference to study by Erik Brynjolfsson
(47:09) Books that have greatly influenced her life:
(48:06) Her mentors.
(49:22) Quotes that she thinks of often or lives her life by.
(50:44) An unusual habit or absurd thing that she loves.
(51:30) The living person she most admires.
Sonita Lontoh is a public company board director, strategic advisor, and former Fortune 100 senior executive who focuses on digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability — contributing positive impact to businesses, consumers, and society.