What is the name of the panel of advisers consisting of heads of executive departments?

The correct answer is the Cabinet. In the context of the executive branch of the U.S. government, the Cabinet is composed of the heads of the executive departments, who serve as the primary advisers to the President. These individuals oversee various areas of government, such as defense, education, health, and treasury, and they provide expertise and counsel on their respective domains. The Cabinet plays a crucial role in shaping policy and helping to execute the laws passed by Congress.

The other options, while they may suggest a group of advisers, do not accurately reflect the established term used to describe this specific panel within the U.S. government structure. For example, a board of directors typically refers to a group that governs a corporation rather than a governmental body. An advisory council is a more general term that may refer to any group providing advice but lacks the specific authority and structure of a Cabinet. An executive committee may also refer to a smaller subset of a larger committee, which is not the same as the Cabinet’s role within the executive branch.