Ryan Nebel Quoted in Diligent Proxy Season Preview 2025 Report

Vice Chair of Olshan’s Shareholder Activism Practice Group Ryan Nebel was quoted in the Diligent Proxy Season Preview 2025 Report, which includes key takeaways and predictions from the 2025 Diligent Market Intelligence Stewardship Series Conference. On the expected wave of M&A-driven activism heading into 2025, Ryan said, “Many anticipated that interest rates would start coming down but as inflation remains steady and rises, there is less of a chance that the fed starts cutting rates as fast as people had hoped.” However, he noted, “Many of our clients are sitting on immense dry powder and are ready to strategically deploy it if there is a downturn in the market. If there is a dislocation that really separates the underperforming companies from their peers, we will likely see pushes for M&A at those targets.” Ryan also remarked on the willingness of many companies to settle with shareholders, saying, “A lot of companies have taken it upon themselves to engage with shareholders early on in the process and come to constructive resolutions with early-stage settlements.” On boardroom diversity, Ryan said, “Diversity of perspectives in a boardroom is beneficial whether it is gender, age, ethnicity or experience. Right now, I don’t think diversity will be touted to the level it has been in the past several years. I have been in situations where clients had to revamp their slates due to a perceived lack of diversity. Today that may not be the case.” Ryan further noted that, “it’s not a foregone conclusion that activists will be able to coast to victory on the back of an ISS or Glass Lewis endorsement. The candidates need to be able to articulate how they will help create long-term value in order to win over certain institutions.”