Skip to main content

Takeaways from the 2026 proxy season

07.30.2026 | Duration: 25:32

Insights for boards on proxy season trends, including shareholder proposals and engagement, SEC developments, and activism.

Download
Download PDF
Listen now
0:00
00:00

Podcast overview

KPMG Board Leadership Center Senior Advisor Stephen Brown and Freshfields Partner Pamela Marcogliese discuss key developments for boards from the 2026 proxy season.
The conversation explores how regulatory shifts, changing investor behavior, AI-related governance concerns, and evolving activism trends are reshaping shareholder engagement and proxy season dynamics. While many familiar proposal themes persisted, the 2026 proxy season reflected significant changes in company-shareholder dynamics.

Topics discussed include:

  • Shareholder proposal trends and voting results
  • The emergence of AI-related shareholder proposals and board oversight considerations
  • Changes to the no-action process
  • Uncertainty around Rule 14a-8
  • The growing use of AI by investors
  • Changes in institutional investor stewardship
  • Pass-through voting and implications for companies
  • Activism trends

Dive into our thinking:

Takeaways from the 2026 proxy season

Read transcript

KPMG Board Insights Podcasts

A podcast series to explore the emerging issues and pressing challenges facing boards today.

Expore more

Thank you

Thank you for subscribing. We're excited to welcome you to our community. You can now look forward to the latest news, trends, upcoming events, and thought leadership delivered directly to your inbox.

Subscribe to insights from KPMG Board Leadership Center

Board Leadership Weekly - A weekly email providing the latest news, trends, upcoming events, and thought leadership focused on the board and C‑suite from KPMG, the BLC, and other leading sources. 

Directors Quarterly - A compilation of articles, insights, and upcoming events.

All fields with an asterisk (*) are required.

Select publications you want to receive and any topics of interest below. Select all that apply.

Please check at least one checkbox.
Please check checkbox.
Please check checkbox.

By submitting, you agree that KPMG LLP may process any personal information you provide pursuant to KPMG LLP's . Privacy Statement

An error occurred.

Receive the latest insights from the Board Leadership Center

Sign up to receive Board Leadership Weekly and Directors Quarterly

Subscribe

KPMG. Make the Difference.


Some or all of the services described herein may not be permissible for KPMG audit clients and their affiliates or related entities.

The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation. KPMG LLP does not provide legal services.

The information contained herein is not intended to be “written advice concerning one or more Federal tax matters” subject to the requirements of section 10.37(a)(2) of Treasury Department Circular 230.

© 2026 KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership, and its subsidiaries are part of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.

For more detail about the structure of the KPMG global organization please visit https://home.kpmg/governance.

Thank you

Thank you for subscribing. We're excited to welcome you to our community. You can now look forward to the latest news, trends, upcoming events, and thought leadership delivered directly to your inbox.

Subscribe to insights from KPMG Board Leadership Center

Board Leadership Weekly - A weekly email providing the latest news, trends, upcoming events, and thought leadership focused on the board and C‑suite from KPMG, the BLC, and other leading sources. 

Directors Quarterly - A compilation of articles, insights, and upcoming events.

All fields with an asterisk (*) are required.

Select publications you want to receive and any topics of interest below. Select all that apply.

Please check at least one checkbox.
Please check checkbox.
Please check checkbox.

By submitting, you agree that KPMG LLP may process any personal information you provide pursuant to KPMG LLP's . Privacy Statement

An error occurred.

Thank you!

Thank you for contacting KPMG. We will respond to you as soon as possible.

Contact KPMG

Use this form to submit general inquiries to KPMG. We will respond to you as soon as possible.
All fields with an asterisk (*) are required.

By submitting, you agree that KPMG LLP may process any personal information you provide pursuant to KPMG LLP's . Privacy Statement

An error occurred.

Job seekers

Visit our careers section or search our jobs database.

Search now!

Submit RFP

Use the RFP submission form to detail the services KPMG can help assist you with.

Submit

Office locations

View locations

International hotline

You can confidentially report concerns to the KPMG International hotline

Learn more

Press contacts

Do you need to speak with our Press Office? Here's how to get in touch.

Contact

Headline