The Business Roundtable, an influential organization of top CEOs from leading U.S. companies, has revealed its new Board of Directors and policy committee leadership for 2026. This announcement sets the stage for a strategic push to enhance the private sector’s contributions to the country’s economic growth and competitiveness in the global market. With a newly appointed leadership team, the organization is preparing to advocate for a range of policy priorities designed to drive U.S. innovation, strengthen industries, and ensure long-term prosperity. The leadership change, announced earlier this month, reflects the Business Roundtable’s commitment to shaping the future of the American economy as it faces a rapidly changing business environment.
Chuck Robbins, the Chair and CEO of Cisco, has been appointed as the new chair of the Business Roundtable for 2026. His leadership comes at a time when U.S. businesses are looking to adapt to new technological developments and address a wide variety of challenges in the global marketplace. Robbins, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in technology, is expected to guide the Business Roundtable in promoting policies that prioritize innovation, economic sustainability, and international competitiveness. Alongside Robbins, other prominent CEOs, including Mary Barra of General Motors and Dr. Lisa Su of AMD, will play key roles in shaping the organization’s policy agenda for the year. These executives bring a diverse range of perspectives to the table, representing industries such as technology, manufacturing, energy, and logistics. Their collective leadership reflects the organization’s broad focus on strengthening the various sectors that make up the U.S. economy.
The newly appointed leadership panel will address several pressing issues facing the U.S. economy in 2026. One of the key areas of focus is permitting reform. In order to facilitate faster and more efficient development of infrastructure projects, the Business Roundtable is committed to modernizing and streamlining the permitting process. This initiative is seen as essential for fostering economic growth, reducing regulatory hurdles, and ensuring that U.S. businesses can build and expand with greater ease. With infrastructure being a major pillar of the U.S. economy, leaders in the Business Roundtable are looking to create a more agile and efficient system for approving and implementing projects that drive economic development.
Another significant priority for the Business Roundtable in 2026 will be the deployment and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). As technology continues to evolve rapidly, AI has emerged as a transformative force with the potential to revolutionize industries, from healthcare and manufacturing to logistics and finance. The Business Roundtable recognizes the importance of promoting the responsible and ethical deployment of AI while simultaneously ensuring that the U.S. remains a global leader in AI innovation. Through its leadership, the organization plans to advocate for policies that encourage the development of AI technologies while addressing concerns around data privacy, security, and the impact on the workforce. With leaders from top technology companies like Cisco and AMD at the helm, the Business Roundtable is well-positioned to lead the charge in shaping the future of AI regulation in the U.S.
Workforce development is another central focus of the Business Roundtable’s 2026 agenda. As the labor market continues to evolve, the organization is committed to ensuring that the U.S. workforce is prepared for the jobs of the future. This includes supporting educational initiatives, vocational training programs, and workforce development strategies that help workers acquire the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital and automated world. The Business Roundtable aims to work closely with policymakers, educational institutions, and the private sector to close the skills gap and ensure that American workers have the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.
In addition to these domestic priorities, the Business Roundtable is also focused on strengthening U.S. trade relations, particularly with its North American neighbors. The U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), a vital trade framework, is one area where the Business Roundtable aims to push for continued support and expansion. By advocating for the protection and expansion of such trade agreements, the organization seeks to open up new markets for American businesses and create opportunities for growth. The Business Roundtable understands that in an increasingly interconnected world, the U.S. must maintain strong trade relationships with global partners in order to remain competitive and successful on the world stage.
Business Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten emphasized the organization’s commitment to shaping policies that will “strengthen America’s capacity to build, innovate, and succeed for generations to come.” His remarks underscore the organization’s focus on long-term economic sustainability. The announcement of the 2026 leadership comes at a significant time, with the U.S. nearing the 250th anniversary of its independence. This milestone serves as a symbolic backdrop for the Business Roundtable’s efforts to ensure that the next 250 years of American economic history are defined by continued growth, innovation, and global leadership.
The appointment of Chuck Robbins as chair, along with the involvement of influential business leaders such as Mary Barra and Dr. Lisa Su, signals that the Business Roundtable is poised to play a critical role in shaping U.S. economic policy in 2026. The group’s diverse leadership reflects the wide range of industries that drive the American economy, allowing the organization to address the various challenges and opportunities faced by U.S. businesses in a holistic manner. The Business Roundtable’s advocacy on issues like permitting reform, AI, workforce development, and trade will likely have a lasting impact on the nation’s economic trajectory in the years to come.
As the organization moves forward into 2026, the Business Roundtable’s leadership team will work to ensure that the U.S. continues to be a global leader in innovation, industry, and economic competitiveness. With its strong track record of influencing national policy, the Business Roundtable is positioned to make a significant impact on the issues that matter most to the private sector and the broader economy. The leadership team’s collective experience and commitment to advancing policies that benefit U.S. businesses and workers will be key in guiding the nation’s economic future.
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