Shareholder Activism Summit NYC | January 30th, 2025
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AGENDA
8:00-9:00 AM | Registration and Networking Breakfast
9:00-9:05 AM | Welcome Remarks
Christopher P. Skroupa, Founder & CEO, Skytop Strategies
9:05-9:45 AM | Fireside Chat
Battle for the Boardroom: How Empowered Lawyers and The Poison Pill Revolutionized Corporate Governance
Host:
Expert Panelists:
9:45-10:15 AM | Keynote Presentation
Activist use of Woke Strategies: A Critical Analysis
Presenter:
10:15-10:45 AM | Panel Discussion
Board Nominations: Activist Scorecard in Blocking CEO Driven Goals
Moderator:
Panelists:
Sebastian Alsheimer, Partner and Co-Head of Shareholder Engagement & Activism, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
10:45 - 11:00 PM | Networking Break
11:00-11:40 AM | Panel Discussion
NYSE Proposed Rule Change for Closed-End Funds: Annual Shareholder Meeting Requirement
Moderator:
Panelists:
Phil Goldstein, Principal, Bulldog Investors
11:40 AM-12:20 PM | Panel Discussion
Shareholder Activists and ESG: Negative Impact on Short-Term Profitability
Moderator:
Josh Black, Editor-in-Chief, Diligent Market Intelligence
Panelists:
12:20-1:20 PM | Networking Luncheon
1:20-1:50 PM | Panel Discussion
Proxy Case Stories: Disney, Macy’s and Financial Companies
Moderator:
Panelists:
1:50-2:30 PM | Panel Discussion
Activist Targets: How to Stay Off of an Activist’s Radar
Moderator:
David A. Katz, Partner, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Panelists:
Eric Rosenfeld, CEO, Crescendo Partners
Kelly Sullivan, Partner, Joele Frank
Jeffrey Neuman, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Tronox, LLC (unconfirmed)
2:30-3:10 PM | Panel Discussion
Commercial Real Estate Debt: How Activists are Targeting Distressed Owners
Moderator:
Panelist:
3:10-3:25 PM | Networking Break
3:25-4:05 PM | Panel Discussion
Evaluating Board Candidates in an Activist Context: Vetting and Due Diligence
Moderator:
Nick Graziano, Partner, 2717 Partners, and Skytop Contributing Author & Host of “Inside the Corporate Boardroom, SkytopTV Talk Show Series
Panelists:
Tim Ring, Senior Vice President & Corporate Secretary, MetLife
Venita Fields, Board Director, Superior Group of Companies (NASDAQ: SGC) and four private companies, and Partner, Pelham SK2 Advisors
Sheila Hooda, Independent Board Director, Multiple Companies
4:05-4:35 PM | Fireside Chat
The Activist Investor: The Evolution of Today’s Activist Investor
Interviewer:
John Glenn Grau, President & CEO, InvestorCom
Interviewee:
4:35-5:05 PM | Exclusive Interview
Case Story: TBA
Interviewer:
Nick Graziano, Partner, 2717 Partners, and Skytop Contributing Author & Host of “Inside the Corporate Boardroom”, SkytopTV Talk Show Series
Interviewee:
M. Shan Atkins, Board Director, Head of Audit Committee, Various Boards
5:05-5:40 PM | Fireside Chat
TBD
Discussants:
Jay Clayton, Former Chair, SEC, Senior Policy Advisor, Sullivan & Cromwell, and Board Director
5:40-5:45 PM | Closing Remarks
5:45-7:00 PM | Network Reception
SPEAKERS
DELEGATES
Venita Fields
Board Director, Superior Group of Companies (NASDAQ: SGC)
and four private companies
Partner, Pelham Sk2 Advisors
Chicago, IL
David A. Katz
Partner
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
New York, NY
Jeffrey Neuman
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Tronox, LLC
Stamford, CT
Tim Ring
Senior Vice President & Corporate Secretary
MetLife
New York, NY
Sebastian Alsheimer
Partner and Co-Head of Shareholder Engagement & Activism
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
New York, NY
Kelly Sullivan
Partner
Joele Frank
New York, NY
Bob Marese
President
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
New York, NY
——————
Phil Goldstein
Principal
Bulldog Investors
New York, NY
M. Shan Atkins
Board Director, Head of Audit Committee, Various Boards
Orlando, Florida
Josh Black
Editor-in-Chief
Diligent Market Intelligence
New York, NY
Nick Graziano
Partner, 2717 Partners, and Skytop Contributing Author & Host of "Inside the Corporate Boardroom, SkytopTV Talk Show Series
Greenwich, Connecticut
Julian Grijns
Managing Director, Forensic Investigations and Intelligence
Kroll Associates
New York, NY
John Glenn Grau
President and CEO
InvestorCom
New York, NY
Eric Rosenfeld
CEO
Crescendo Partners
New York, NY
Sheila Hooda
Independent Board Director
Multiple Companies
Wellington, Florida
Andrew Dakos
Principal
Bulldog Investors
New York, NY
Jay Clayton
Former Chair, SEC, Chair Executive Committee, Apollo Global Management, Board Member, American Express, and Senior Policy Advisor & Of Counsel, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
New York, NY
VENUE - Skytop Studio
Rockefeller Center
Near Skytop Studio, Rockefeller Center is a national historic landmark in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Home to Top of the Rock Observation Deck, NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall and much more. Shop, dine and explore at one of New York's most inspiring locations.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Patrick's Cathedral is the most recognizable cathedral in New York. It is the largest neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States. For those who love architecture and history, for those who worship, and for those who enjoy a place of beauty, St. Patrick's Cathedral is a magnificent place to visit.
United Nation
Tour the United Nations. This offers an exciting opportunity to discover the UN Headquarters as you journey through the corridors of international diplomacy. Learn about the history and work of the United Nations and visit the famous General Assembly Hall and Security Council Chamber.
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is the world’s largest train station and certainly worth a visit. See the Main Concourse in all its grandeur! From fine dining to classic cocktail bars to casual restaurants, there are 35 dining options. Shop at 65 shops, from brand names to unique, local brands.
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