Meagan Reda Quoted in Crain Currency on Family Offices’ Increased Involvement in Activism

Olshan Shareholder Activism partner Meagan Reda was recently quoted in a Crain Currency article on the increase of family offices that are taking activist roles in their interactions with their portfolio companies. “For the traditional family office,” Meagan says, “getting a positive and strong financial result was always important. But now there’s an overlying theme to leave a lasting legacy for their families.” In her view, the younger generations are more focused on giving back to society and view activist investing as a way for them to advocate important societal changes that can support a family mission and values: “There has been a fundamental shift in the sentiment toward activists generally, who are no longer viewed as corporate raiders and now are increasingly viewed as driving long-term value.” Meagan points to an escalation among her clients in ESG investing following the pandemic and how considering a public company’s environmental, social and governance ratings in addition to its financial metrics has become not just a talking point but a driver of valuation and a catalyst for change and action.