Diligent Market Intelligence Stewardship Series
@Ease, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York • 2026
The Diligent Market Intelligence (DMI) Stewardship Series returns to New York this March, ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 proxy season, bringing together investors, issuers, and advisors for its third year to strengthen shareholder engagement.
Through essential panels, expert insights, and valuable networking, the summit offers leaders the opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices on shareholder activism, corporate governance, and proxy voting.
Your Agenda for Success
Registrations open
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Buffet Lunch & Networking, Sponsored by Marsh
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Shareholder Activism Annual Review 2026 Launch
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Moderator
Antoinette Giblin
Editorial Manager
Speakers
Kai Liekefett
Co-Chair Shareholder Activism & Corporate Defense Practice
Sidley Austin LLP
Ryan Nebel
Vice Chair - Shareholder Activism Practice
Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP
Diligent Market Intelligence shares key findings from its latest special report, including data on activist demands, success rates, and predictions for the coming proxy season.
The Latest Activist Tactics
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Moderator
Jason Booth
Shareholder Activism Editor, Diligent Market Intelligence
Speakers
Ele Klein
Partner
McDermott Will & Schulte
Aaron Atkinson
Partner
Davies
Townsend Belisle
Founder & CEO
Haystack Needle
Brendan Foo
Partner
Forward Global
Nick Capuano
Partner
Kekst CNC
Understand how activist investors are pursuing their objectives, including use of investigations, digital media, litigation and other tactics to win board seats, oust CEOs and boost shareholder value.
Coffee Break & Networking
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Stewardship Data Feed Demonstration
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM
Speakers
Rachit Gupta
Head of Global Data & Research, Diligent Market Intelligence
Diligent
Husein Bektic
VP of Product Management
Diligent Market Intelligence
Discover the capabilities and benefits of Diligent Market Intelligence's latest product addition with a brief on-stage demonstration.
Stewardship of Board and Management Risks
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Moderator
Josh Black
VP of Editorial, Diligent Market Intelligence
Speaker
Danielle Sugarman
Deputy Head of Americas, Investment Stewardship
BlackRock
Learn how investors assess CEO performance, what drives them to vote against director reelection proposals and side with activist investors in this insight into the role of stewardship teams in proxy contests, succession planning and director elections.
The Evolving Practice of Active Stewardship
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
Moderator
Josh Black
VP of Editorial, Diligent Market Intelligence
Speakers
Robert Herr
Senior Vice President
AllianceBernstein
Caitlin McSherry
Global Head of Investment Stewardship
Neuberger Berman
Stewardship leaders discuss how active stewardship is adapting to a changing investment landscape. Topics include the growing role of data, closer collaboration with investment teams, and how stewardship programs evolve alongside regulatory and market developments.
Coffee break & Solution Showcase
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
Fireside Chat with Vanguard
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Moderator
Josh Black
VP of Editorial, Diligent Market Intelligence
Speaker
John Galloway
Head of Investor Engagement and Chief Communications Officer
Vanguard
Hear from Vanguard's Global Head of Investment Stewardship, John Galloway about how the industry is changing, the impact of pass-through voting, how best to engage with investors and the role of data in stewardship.
Compensation and Governance Insights
4:45 PM - 5:30 PM
Moderator
Rachit Gupta
Head of Global Data & Research, Diligent Market Intelligence
Speakers
Jonathan Haymon
Director of Proxy Voting
Federated Hermes
Melissa Severance
Senior Director, Metro New York Work & Rewards Leader
Willis Towers Watson
Fresh research from Diligent Market Intelligence on prevailing trends that showcase DMI analytics, followed by a panel discussion on how investors assess pay for performance alignment, one-time awards and incentive packages.
Cocktail Reception & Networking
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Registrations open
Buffet Lunch & Networking, Sponsored by Marsh
Shareholder Activism Annual Review 2026 Launch
The Latest Activist Tactics
Coffee Break & Networking
Stewardship Data Feed Demonstration
Stewardship of Board and Management Risks
The Evolving Practice of Active Stewardship
Coffee break & Solution Showcase
Fireside Chat with Vanguard
Compensation and Governance Insights
Cocktail Reception & Networking
Meet the speakers
More speakers still to be announced!
Secure your seat at the Stewardship Series
The Stewardship Series presents unmissable insights for the following:
Stewardship Teams
Corporate Law Firms
M&A Consultants
General Counsels & IROs
Activist Investors
Communications and PR Advisors
In partnership with our valued sponsors
DMI Stewardship Series Sponsorship Opportunities
Following the successful sponsorship program in 2025 with the participation of Olshan, Sidley, Davies, Forward Global, Schulte Roth + Zabel, and Haystack Needle, we would be delighted to discuss relevant opportunities in 2026 and beyond.
Sponsorship benefits
Network with all sides of the shareholder engagement community in London.
Share your expertise on stage with leading figures to discuss prevailing trends in stewardship.
Generate business development and brand-enhancement opportunities.
Request sponsorship brochure at dmievents@diligent.com
