The 2026 Proxy Season: Boardroom Takeaways

Attendees learned from a program co-led by the National Association of Corporate Directors’ New England and Philadelphia Chapters that examined key developments from the 2026 proxy season and their implications for the 2027 proxy season. The discussion highlighted how proxy-related issues had continued to expand and evolve rapidly, creating new demands, expectations, and risks for both boards and companies.

The panel reviewed the most significant issues boards and companies faced during the 2026 proxy season and explored those expected to remain prominent in 2027. Participants gained insights into executive performance and compensation matters, evolving shareholder engagement strategies, proxy advisory firm priorities and practices, and updates to SEC regulations and disclosure requirements affecting companies and investors.

Attendees also learned about emerging expectations for proxy disclosures related to board governance, including director competencies, board and director evaluations, candidate slates, and board oversight of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies. The session provided a broader understanding of how public company governance practices had changed over the previous year and how those changes were expected to influence proxy season planning and decision-making.

In addition, the panel examined the potential impact of anticipated SEC regulatory developments and discussed how institutional investors were adapting their engagement approaches to advance evolving shareholder priorities. Participants left with a clearer understanding of the issues directors needed to monitor, the risks and challenges they should prepare for, and the considerations most likely to shape the upcoming proxy season.

This event was held virtually on Sept. 16, 2026.

Speakers

Paul DeNicola

Principal at PwCs Governance Insights Center

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Paul DeNicola is a Principal at PwC's Governance Insights Center where he works to extend the firm's thought leadership in the area of corporate governance. A frequent speaker at forums for directors and governance professionals, Paul also…

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Jessica S. Lochmann

Partner

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Jessica (Jessie) Lochmann is a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP and the co-leader of the firm’s Capital Markets and Public Company Advisory practice. Jessie practices corporate and business law, with an emphasis in securities law and compliance, corporate governance, executive compensation and capital markets transactions and mergers and acquisitions...

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Moderator

Gloria Cordes Larson

Lawyer, Public Policy Expert, Boston Business Leader

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Gloria Cordes Larson is a respected lawyer, public policy expert, Boston business leader, and former university president...

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You can view the recording of this event here.