CorpGov hosted the second Princeton CorpGov Forum on May 21, 2026, at The Nassau Inn in Princeton, New Jersey, drawing industry leaders and alumni spanning five decades.
Topics covered at the forum included university endowments, shareholder activism, private equity, venture capital, capital markets, entertainment, and the finance of college sports.
A key panel titled “Activism: Governance from Investor and Board Perspectives” featured Lawrence S. Elbaum, Co-Head of Shareholder Activism Practice and Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and John Grau, President of InvestorCom.
Speakers analyzed GameStop (NYSE: GME) and Ryan Cohen’s attempt to pursue eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY), highlighting the unusual nature of a smaller company targeting a much larger one.
The panel examined the challenges Cohen would face in proving financing, strategy, and shareholder value to make such an acquisition credible.
Speakers reviewed Cohen’s track record with GameStop, including leveraging the short squeeze, raising capital, improving the balance sheet, and repositioning the company with significant cash reserves.
The conversation emphasized that Cohen would need a compelling, well-articulated value proposition, credible financing, and strong shareholder support to convince eBay investors and proxy advisors.
Firms including ISS, Glass Lewis, BlackRock, and Vanguard were described as key gatekeepers that prioritize certainty, economic value, and minimizing unintended consequences in mergers, acquisitions, and board contests.
Speakers also addressed risks of companies overcorrecting politically in either direction on DEI and ESG policies, arguing firms should stay focused on balanced governance and long-term value creation.
Panelists said strong shareholder communication and a clear long-term value creation strategy remain the most effective defenses a company can build against activist pressure.
Notable attendees included Ken Traub, Chairman, President and CEO of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (Nasdaq: CMTL), and David Schulhof, Founder and CEO of MUSQ Global Music Industry ETF (NYSE: MUSQ).
Karen Snow, CEO of Rose & Co. Capital Advisors and Former Global Head of Listings at Nasdaq, was also among the distinguished attendees at the Princeton event.
CorpGov has announced its next event, the second LA CorpGov Forum, scheduled for September 18, with a focus on sports, entertainment, and mergers and acquisitions.
