Proxy Season 2025: How Shareholders Are Making an Impact Amid Political Pushback

At AIO Financial, we specialize in helping our clients align their investments with their values through socially responsible investing (SRI). We believe in the power of the individual investor—and there’s no better example of that power than proxy season, when shareholders come together to hold corporations accountable.

The 2025 Proxy Preview Report, developed by As You Sow, Proxy Impact, and Empower Venture Partners, underscores how shareholder advocacy remains one of the most powerful tools we have to influence corporate behavior—even in the face of increasing political and regulatory headwinds. Link to report: https://www.proxypreview.org/

🗳 What Is Shareholder Advocacy?

Shareholder advocacy refers to the actions taken by investors—often at annual general meetings (AGMs)—to influence a company’s policies, operations, and impact on society and the environment. Through proxy voting and shareholder resolutions, investors can raise concerns about everything from climate change to corporate lobbying practices.

Key Shareholder Rights Include:

• Voting on board director candidates and policy issues


• Receiving dividends and reviewing company financials


• Transferring shares and suing for wrongful acts


• Filing shareholder proposals—if you’ve held:




• $2,000+ in stock for 3+ years


• $15,000+ for 2+ years


• $25,000+ for 1+ year

Shareholders owning more than 10% of a company’s shares can call special meetings, and those with over 5% must file reports to the SEC detailing their intentions and transactions.

At AIO Financial, we help clients use these rights to vote their values and engage companies on issues like climate justice, racial equity, and sustainable business practices.

📉 Fewer Filings, Bigger Stakes in 2025

As of February 21, shareholders had filed 355 ESG proposals—a 34% drop from the same time in 2024. Why?

1. Regulatory Pushback: A change in the presidential administration led to a dramatic policy shift at the SEC. Resolutions that had been approved for decades were suddenly excluded.


2. Mid-Season Rule Changes: After most proposals were filed, the SEC altered the rules to favor companies, extending their deadline to object—but not giving shareholders the same opportunity to revise their submissions.


3. Political Attacks on ESG: Proponents are more cautious this year, with many opting for private negotiations to avoid public backlash and potential proposal exclusions.

Despite fewer filings, shareholder advocacy is more important than ever. This year’s proposals tackle systemic risks that impact long-term corporate value—and your portfolio.

🌍 2025 Proposal Highlights

🌡️ Climate Change (85 proposals)

• Companies are being asked to disclose climate transition plans, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and report on climate-related financial risks.


• Shareholders are targeting sectors like finance and insurance for their role in funding fossil fuels and delaying climate action.

🏛️ Corporate Political Influence (77 proposals)

• Shareholders want transparency around lobbying, political contributions, and values alignment.


• The SEC allowed omission of some long-standing lobbying disclosure proposals, prompting many investors to shift strategy.

🌱 Environmental Management (52 proposals)

• Topics include biodiversity, deforestation, plastic use, and food waste.


• New proposals target the avocado supply chain and pollution from tire particulates.

🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Human Rights (37 proposals)

• Issues addressed include AI ethics, child safety, forced labor, Indigenous rights, and tax transparency.


• One high-profile proposal calls on Alphabet to disclose lobbying efforts related to child safety laws.

💼 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (36 proposals)

• Proposals ask companies to disclose DEI metrics, ensure equal pay, and protect freedom of association.


• Despite political backlash, support for DEI remains strong: At companies like Disney and Apple, shareholders voted overwhelmingly (98%) in favor of DEI initiatives.

⚠️ Withdrawing and Omitting Proposals

So far, 78 proposals (22%) have been withdrawn—up from just 7.7% last year. These withdrawals often result from successful negotiations behind the scenes or concern over proposals being blocked by the SEC.

Meanwhile, 221 proposals have received no-action requests—where companies ask the SEC for permission to exclude them. This tactic has become more frequent in 2025, signaling a more adversarial environment for shareholder rights.

🛑 The Anti-ESG Push

The number of anti-ESG proposals is rising and now represents nearly 15% of all submissions. These proposals often attack:

• DEI programs


• Corporate activism


• Environmental disclosures

Notably, state officials like Oklahoma’s State Treasurer have joined the push, filing proposals against companies that support racial justice, digital safety, or reproductive rights.

The good news? These proposals are overwhelmingly defeated—with anti-DEI efforts losing 98% of the vote.

💡 Why This Matters

The data is clear: Shareholder advocacy works. Over the last two decades, it has led to:

• Greater corporate transparency


• Stronger environmental policies


• Improved worker protections


• More inclusive and equitable workplaces

Even in a politically hostile environment, responsible investors are helping shape the future of business—one vote at a time.

✅ How You Can Make an Impact

At AIO Financial, we empower you to:

• Vote your proxies in alignment with your values


• Engage companies on sustainability and justice


• Invest in portfolios screened for ESG performance and advocacy alignment

You don’t need to be a billionaire or run a fund. If you’re a shareholder, you already have a voice—and we’re here to help you use it effectively.

📬 Let’s Work Together

Want to learn more about socially responsible investing and shareholder advocacy? Reach out today for a free consultation. Whether you’re just starting or you’re a seasoned investor, we’ll help you build a strategy that aligns your money with your mission.

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Together, we can build a more sustainable and just future—one vote, one investment, one conversation at a time.

Video Transcript:

I’m going to go over some of the
shareholder resolutions that are proposed for 2025
there has been a drop in the number of resolutions
compared to 2024
we’re still just in the beginning of the season
but that’s partially because of the new SEC leadership
and shifting in rules
making it more difficult for shareholders
to make resolutions to make changes
be advocates shareholders are waiting on this
you’ll see a lot of the proposals are under review
there’s been an increase in private negotiations
so the shareholders
are engaging
but maybe not through the shareholder advocacy
through shareholder resolutions
but just engagement with companies
many resolutions have been withdrawn
that’s higher than last year
and a lot of times
that means that there was an agreement brought