Session Details | Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala 2026

Date & Time
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 11:50 AM - 12:20 PM
Name
The Uncertainty Advantage: How Leaders Navigate Risk and Seize Opportunity
Featuring

Featuring Janet Napolitano, Former U.S. secretary of Homeland Security, Berkeley Institute for Security and Governance and Eric Ries, Bestselling author and founder, Long-Term Stock Exchange
Moderated by Bethany McLean, Chief financial correspondent, Inc.

Description

Economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, and shifting regulatory landscapes have made uncertainty a constant reality for leaders. In this timely conversation, Janet Napolitano and Eric Ries explore how leaders can make high-stakes decisions when the future is anything but certain. Drawing on perspectives from government, academia, entrepreneurship, and business transformation, they will discuss how organizations can build resilience, manage risk, and uncover opportunity when certainty is no longer an option.

Location Name
Dallas Ballroom
Session Type
Main Stage
Janet Napolitano Eric Ries Bethany McLean