Shareholder activism is not only accelerating—it is evolving. Campaigns are more sophisticated, investor coalitions are forming faster, and activists are targeting a broader range of issues, from capital allocation and portfolio strategy to leadership, governance, and ESG positioning. Even high-performing companies are not immune.
In this briefing for public company directors, we will examine the current state of activism: where activity is trending, how activist tactics are shifting, and what vulnerabilities are drawing scrutiny in today’s market environment. We will also explore how institutional investors are responding, how proxy advisors are influencing outcomes, and what boards should be doing now to strengthen preparedness.
SPEAKERS
Jack Lazar
Jack Lazar is a public and private company CFO, GM and Corporate Development executive with experience managing Operations, Finance, Accounting, Investor Relations, Corporate Development, Business Development, HR, Legal, Sales Operations, Program Management and IT functions. Completed three IPOs and been the CFO at 4 public companies and 1 private company (that was eventually sold). Board member and advisor for two companies while completing their IPOs. Raised over $4 billion in financings and executed ~$15 billion in M&A transactions. Experience in multinational operations (Asia and Europe) and profitably growing companies from the start up phase to over $1 billion in revenue. Implemented global ERP systems, SOX infrastructure and integrated multiple acquisitions. Managed multiple companies with $1 billion + market capitalizations. Extensive experience dealing with buy and sellside investors.Currently board member at 4 public companies where he serves as either a member or chair of a variety of committees. Sold several public companies at significant premiums in public to public M&A transactions. Serves on the Santa Clara University Finance and Advisory Boards.
Marie Oh Huber
Marie Oh Huber is an independent public company director and former Chief Legal Officer at eBay Inc. and Agilent Technologies, Inc. With extensive experience as a C-suite executive in global Fortune 500 companies across technology, e-commerce, payments, and life sciences, she is known for her strategic, collaborative leadership. Marie’s experience includes M&A, governance, international, regulatory, public policy, enterprise risk, and crisis management. In addition to building global legal teams, she also led shared services in government affairs, public policy, communications, privacy, compliance, and regulatory functions. She has guided boards and CEOs through shareholder activism, succession planning, and board secretary responsibilities. Since 2019, Marie has served as a director of Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR), where she chairs the Nominating, Governance, and Sustainability Committee and serves on the Compensation Committee. Marie is a Lecturer at Stanford Law School and has taught at Columbia Law School.
Derek Zaba
Derek Zaba co-chairs Sidley’s Shareholder Activism & Corporate Defense practice. He spends 100% of his time on shareholder activism, contested and complex M&A, and corporate governance matters. With more than two decades of experience, Derek has been involved in hundreds of activist campaigns and contested M&A situations. Prior to Sidley, Derek was the head of the activism and corporate defense practice at a leading shareholder engagement and corporate governance advisory firm. He also served as a partner and investment professional at activist and event-driven hedge funds. Derek is a highly sought after speaker on the topics of investor activism, contested M&A, and ESG/corporate governance at panels and universities and teaches a class on shareholder activism, contested M&A, and corporate governance at Stanford University Law School.
F. Daniel Siciliano, moderator
Dan Siciliano is a successful technology CEO-founder and entrepreneur, as well as Vice Chair of the board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, and a recognized expert in corporate strategy and governance, capital financial markets, executive compensation, and technological disruption (including fintech, AI and cybersecurity). He is currently Chairman of SVDX, board member of the Latino Corporate Directors Education Foundation, chair-elect of the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks, and a fellow at Stanford University.