ZMH Advisors: Know Before They Knock — Inside the Activist Playbook Targeting Small and Mid-Cap Boards

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In this episode of the WTR Small Cap Spotlight, Waheed Hassan, Founder and CEO of ZMH Advisors, joins Tim Gerdeman to break down shareholder activism and what small and mid-cap boards need to know before an activist comes knocking. Bloomberg ranks ZMH among the top five global strategic advisors for shareholder activism, and Hassan brings 25 years of experience across ISS, the Blue Shirt Group, and one of North America's largest proxy solicitation firms, with more than 300 campaign engagements including Jack in the Box, Cracker Barrel, Target, and Medallion Financial. The conversation covers why roughly 70% of activist campaigns now target small and mid-cap companies, the common profile of companies that end up in the crosshairs, and the anatomy of a campaign from quiet stake-building to public escalation or proxy vote. Hassan also walks through the defensive playbook boards should have in place, including stock surveillance, vulnerability assessments, board refreshment, and proactive engagement with index fund proxy voting teams, and the missteps that most often leave companies on the back foot. For additional content, visit www.watertowerresearch.com