Our National Strategic Partner, Alliance Advisors, just released their 2024 Proxy Season Preview, which offers an analysis of what board members can expect this spring.

As Alliance Advisors Senior Vice President Shirley Westcott outlines in the report, the 2024 proxy season is expected to be tumultuous. Against the backdrop of the upcoming U.S. presidential election and heightened economic uncertainty, we will see the environmental, social and governance (ESG) debate play out at annual meetings and in courtrooms, state houses and the halls of Congress.

Notwithstanding a two-year decline in average support for their initiatives, shareholder proponents remain undeterred in filing another onslaught of resolutions, which reached nearly 1,000 last year, of which nearly two-thirds involved environmental and social (E&S) issues. To date, over 660 filings have been publicized with an emphasis on election spending, climate change, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The preview notes key developments to watch this season, which include:

  • Companies pushing back against proposals
  • Climate change proposals
  • Heightened union activity
  • Emerging shareholder proposal themes
  • Anti-ESG movements

For the full analysis of these and other trending topics in the 2024 proxy season, read the full report: Alliance Advisors 2024 Proxy Season Preview