In an environment defined by constant disruption, shifting priorities, and risks that increasingly originate outside the enterprise, today’s General Counsel must strike a delicate balance—empowering innovation and business momentum while maintaining principled risk discipline. This session builds on the highly attended “Yes culture” conversation by examining how legal leaders move beyond binary “approve or block” decision-making and instead guide organizations toward responsible acceleration. Panelists will explore how GCs calibrate risk appetite, translate legal exposure into business-relevant terms, and exercise judgment in moments where speed, strategy, and compliance collide—ensuring that a culture of “yes” strengthens, rather than undermines, long-term enterprise value. Discussion topics include:

• How GCs assess and recalibrate risk appetite in fast-moving, high-uncertainty environments
• Practical strategies for enabling business innovation without inheriting unmanaged legal exposure
• Maintaining credibility, independence, and regulatory integrity while operating as a trusted business partner