The 2026 shareholder engagement season is already taking shape—and like every year, it promises new pressures for boards. Directors who prepare now will be better positioned to navigate it with confidence.
Given all of the recent regulatory and legislative announcements, along with a shifting investment stewardship landscape, the 2026 proxy seasons is likely to be one like no other. Many of these developments will likely result in a reduction in transparency and visibility for companies into how shareholders perceive their performance and the adequacy of their governance profile. Combined with increasing levels of activism and changing tactics by activists, this dynamic is leaving companies more vulnerable to activism and other shareholder demands. Our session will begin with a fireside chat with Garrett Muzikowski, Managing Director on FTI Consulting’s M&A, Activism & Governance team, who will discuss recent activism campaigns, lessons learned and new market developments.
Following this fireside chat, the Director Peer Exchange will bring together an exclusive group of public company board members for an off-the-record discussion on how to lead in a complex, fast-changing environment. We’ll explore how investor priorities are shifting, how activism is evolving, and how new regulations and political climates are reshaping the landscape. Against the backdrop of conversations around the pros and cons of incorporating in Delaware or elsewhere, we’ll also examine legal and regulatory developments in Texas.
Discussion topics will include:
*The exchange is limited to public company board members and C-level executives, and participation is subject to approval.
Gain firsthand insight into how boards are recalibrating engagement strategies to reflect shifting investor expectations.
Understand how activism is evolving—including the growing trend of targeting individual directors.
Explore how investors’ increasing use of AI and data-driven analytics is reshaping proxy review and company disclosures.
Discuss the impact of new regulations, political climates, and Texas-specific legal developments on board oversight and shareholder engagement.
What are investors really looking for—and how do they make decisions when your board is under scrutiny? In this fireside conversation, two leading shareholder engagement and activism advisors will share the playbooks they’ve used to help boards navigate hundreds of real-world situations.
Drawing on deep experience behind the scenes of proxy fights, activist negotiations and engagement strategy, they’ll offer directors a rare opportunity to see how investors evaluate board actions, where arguments win or lose support, and how to proactively shape outcomes before the engagement season begins.
Key topics will include:
• How institutional investors assess board credibility and decision-making
• The signals that raise red flags—or build confidence—behind closed doors
• Strategies to strengthen your messaging, proxy disclosures and engagement approach
• Lessons learned from recent high-profile campaigns and settlements
Managing Director, M&A, Activism & Governance Practice, FTI Consulting
Partner and Head of U.S. Transactions, Freshfields
Based on input from participants, we’ll develop a discussion outline that allows you to share the unique questions you have as your board prepares for shareholder engagement in 2026.
Discussion points may include:
Partner, Freshfields
Partner and Head of U.S. Transactions, Freshfields
Hyatt Regency, Austin
208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
