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So Far, Proxy Voting Reflects Changing Political Winds | Farient Briefings
So Far, Proxy Voting Reflects Changing Political Winds A drumroll, please. May 22 was the peak of the 2025 proxy season with 782 companies holding annual meetings. Mid-season analyses report a sharp decrease in the total number of shareholder proposals filed and a rise in the number…
Read More > 05.30.2025
Briefs
So Far, Proxy Voting Reflects Stronger Influence of Anti-Woke Agendas
Annual meeting season reached its peak on May 22, 2025. In a mid-season analysis, there has been a sharp drop in the number of proposal submissions and a steep rise in the number of submitted proposals to the Securities and Exchange Commission omitted from ballots. Here are takeaways from the…
Read More > 05.30.2025
Briefs
Kohl’s Caught in Controversy: Rapid Exits of CEO, Board Member
Kohl’s finds itself in an unfashionable spotlight. The sudden ouster of Chief Executive Ashley Buchanan for ethics violations after only four months on the job was followed by the unexpected resignation of a board director standing for re-election at Kohl’s annual meeting. Hired as CEO to orchestrate a turnaround on…
Read More > 05.30.2025
In the News
Boards Recruit More Specialists as Committees Face Pressure to Perform—Agenda
Human capital is up and strategy is down among the skills sought by S&P 500 companies for new directors. Farient Advisors’ Founder and CEO Robin Ferracone cites the increasing specialization of board committees, particularly in compensation governance. Drawing on Farient’s analysis of the 50 largest US public companies, the Agenda article…
Read More > 05.27.2025
Newsletters
Study Shakes Up the RSU vs. PSU Debate—Here’s What to Know | Farient Briefings
20-Year Study of Equity Performance Augments RSU, PSU Debate Competition to retain and motivate top talent has accelerated the use of equity awards tied to performance. New research by Farient Advisors and the MIT Sloan School of Management found that performance share units (PSUs) in long-term incentive…
Read More > 05.20.2025
In the News
UnitedHealth’s Returning CEO to Get $61 Million Pay Package—Wall Street Journal
In a recent article for The Wall Street Journal, Farient Advisors’ Chief Data Officer Eric Hoffmann provided expert commentary on the striking $61 million compensation package awarded to Stephen Hemsley, who is returning as CEO of UnitedHealth. With Hemsley’s return being the latest example of a ”boomerang”…
Read More > 05.16.2025
Briefs
Study of PSUs Sees Higher Pay, Lower Performance
New research from Farient Advisors and the MIT Sloan School of Management finds that relative total shareholder return (TSR) is lower and compensation higher among S&P 1500 firms that award performance share units (PSUs) versus time-based equity awards, i.e., restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock options. Today,…
Read More > 05.15.2025
In the News
Surging Stock Made Palantir’s Alex Karp $6.8 Billion Richer Last Year—Fortune
Palantir CEO Alex Karp’s eye-popping $6.8 billion compensation package in 2024—driven by a 340% surge in company stock—has placed him among the nation’s highest “actually paid” executives, despite receiving no new stock grants since the company’s 2020 IPO. This case underscores how founder equity and early option…
Read More > 05.05.2025
Newsletters
Farient Briefings April 2025 | The Evolving Skills of Comp Committee Chairs
The Evolving Skills of Comp Committee Chairs The role of the Compensation Committee Chair has never been more vital. As businesses navigate new complexities, the expertise required of these leaders must keep or exceed pace. Farient Advisors analyzed the board skills matrices of the 50 largest public companies…
Read More > 04.29.2025
Briefs
The Evolving Skill Set of a Compensation Committee Chair
The corporate governance landscape is rife with change. As a result, the role of a Compensation Committee Chair has become increasingly pivotal, especially as businesses navigate the complexities of strategic direction and employee welfare amid shifting political and regulatory environments. Notwithstanding these challenges, the end goal of the Compensation Committee…
Read More > 04.24.2025
In the News
First American’s CEO Exit Underscores Need for Succession Readiness—Fortune
In the wake of First American Financial’s termination of CEO Kenneth DeGiorgio following his arrest for assault, Fortune explored the broader governance and compensation implications of the case. The article highlights how boards navigate reputational risk, contractual obligations, and leadership transitions in unexpected scenarios.
Read More > 04.23.2025
In the News
Understanding the Rise in CEO Departures—Corporate Board Member
Record high CEO departures are happening now. This intensifies the need for boards to anticipate and manage leadership transitions. Corporate Board Member explores the underlying causes—ranging from “change fatigue” to the pace of disruption—and outlines practical strategies for mitigating executive exits. In the article, Farient Advisors’ Partner…
Read More > 04.15.2025
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