KnowlEdge Series

The Changing Face of Shareholder Activism

Shareholder activism has increasingly moved from the fringes to the mainstream.  In the current proxy season, activists are filing unprecedented numbers of shareholder proposals, addressing issues that include board structure and composition, the removal of anti-takeover mechanisms, enhanced disclosures on risk, leadership succession and the adoption of shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation.  In some cases, activists are engaging constructively with companies to seek agreeable solutions without the cost and distractions often associated with protracted proxy contests.  In other circumstance, the gap between the two parties is too great to overcome and proxy fights and legal disputes seem to be the only recourse available.

This KnowlEdge Series presents timely information from The Conference Board’s new set of resources on shareholder activism, including The Shareholder Activism Report and Resource Portal, which provide support to board members and investment managers seeking to assess, engage and respond to shareholder activism.

Business Issues: In today’s climate of increased regulatory interventions designed to restore public confidence, companies and their boards are facing activist investors who seek a higher level of engagement to promote strategic and governance-related changes.    How can companies best review their business strategies and financial plans for potential trigger points and actively engage with shareholder activists to reduce exposure to costly situations?

Audience: This KnowlEdge Series is designed for senior corporate executives, board members and those that advise them, including legal, public relations, proxy solicitators, executive search and executive compensation professionals.

Series Hosts

	Matteo Tonello Director, Governance Research, Governance Center & Directors' Institute Matteo Tonello is a corporate governance and regulatory compliance expert with The Conference Board Governance Center in New York City. An international lawyer by background, Matteo has conducted for The Conference Board corporate law and risk man... Full Bio
	Paul DeNicola Director, Governance Center and Directors' Institute Paul DeNicola is associate director of The Conference Board Governance Center and Directors’ Institute. He works with boards of directors and senior governance professionals to strategically design research and educat... Full Bio
	Damien J. Park, MBA Damien J. Park, MBA, is president and CEO of Hedge Fund Solutions, LLC, a Philadelphia-based firm that provides investment research, strategy, and stakeholder communications consulting to companies and investors involved with shareholder activism.... Full Bio