Robert Heist leverages decades of legal experience as a principal attorney at R. Connor & Associates, PC, in Boston, Massachusetts and Chicago, Illinois. A graduate of the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, the University of Illinois and John Marshall Law School in Chicago, attorney Robert Heist also attended Harvard Business School's Corporate Director programs, where he acquired a corporate director certificate.The corporate director certificate is offered as one of Harvard Business School’s executive education programs, which cater to both individuals and organizations. Designed for current directors of boards, the certificate provides tools and knowledge to students that improve their success and performance.To obtain the certificate, current board directors must meet the admission requirements for three separate programs: Making Corporate Boards More Effective, Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance, and Compensation Committees: New Challenges, New Solutions. Moreover, all three programs must be completed within 3 years.Once a board director has completed each program (which are offered in succession each July), they benefit from improvements to their leadership and decision-making skills, in addition to an expanded professional network and Harvard Business School resources.
Robert Heist, a Chicago, Illinois-based attorney with nearly 30 years of experience, is owner and principal of R. Connor and Associates. Aside from his responsibilities as an attorney, Robert Heist has developed an appreciation for the culinary arts.Experienced chefs agree salt is one of the most important ingredients in every dish. Salt plays a crucial role in heightening flavors, bringing life to a dish, and making food more appetizing.There are several varieties of salt:-Common table salt consists of very small, dense crystals that have been enhanced with iodine and anti-caking agents. Serious chefs don’t use it.-Kosher salt, with its larger crystals, is best for everyday cooking. It is inexpensive and readily available. -Sea salt can be refined or unrefined. Unrefined varieties, such as fleur de sel or sel gris, are more expensive, but can add a finishing flourish to many dishes and desserts.Chefs also can use cheese, pounded anchovies, olives, capers, bacon, and other items to increase the salt content and flavor of their dishes.
Attorney Robert Heist is owner and principal at R. Connor and Associates in Chicago, Illinois. Outside of his work as an attorney, Robert Heist is a Governance Fellow, certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors, an organization dedicated to equipping board directors to lead with confidence in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.In collaboration with Deloitte, the National Association of Corporate Directors launched a new, multi-year initiative at its annual Global Board Leaders’ Summit in Washington, D.C., this past September. The initiative, titled NACD NXT, aims to equip board leaders to pursue innovation and diversity with an overarching goal of elevating overall performance.The NACD NXT Recognition Gala, held at the Marriott Marquis on Sept. 29, recognized corporate boards that have successfully defined, developed, and demonstrated practices that led to diversity and inclusion on their boards. Winners included Newmont Mining Company, Foot Locker, True Blue, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. In addition to the awards presentation, gala attendees also heard from Josh Klein, who spoke about the evolution of the speed of disruption, and Janet Yellen, who covered macro trends that will shape economic policy.As business environments change, the NACD NXT initiative seeks to provide case studies and tools to help board directors lead with confidence, ultimately preparing the next generation of leaders through education and scholarship.
The recipient of a JD from The John Marshall Law School, attorney Robert Heist serves as the president of R. Connor & Associates, a law firm in Chicago. Supplementing his experience as an attorney, Robert Heist is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). NACD is recognized as the leading authority on boardroom practices. The organization empowers more than 19,000 directors through collaborative efforts with governance stakeholders and investors. NACD also offers a variety of continuing education programs, one of which is the online Cyber-Risk Oversight course. Available to both members of NACD and nonmembers, the security management program enhances the understanding of cybersecurity threats and board responsibilities regarding cyber-risk oversight. The course includes a cyber-crisis simulation and a series of exams. Upon completing the course, participants receive the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight from the CERT Division of the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute. The course takes roughly 16 hours to complete.
