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DFIN Launches 14th Annual Guide to Effective Proxies

Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN), a frontrunner in financial regulatory and compliance solutions, has recently rolled out its 14th Annual Guide to Effective Proxies. This comprehensive resource is designed to assist public firms in enhancing their communications with shareholders while meeting ongoing regulatory demands and governance expectations.

In today’s fast-paced market, the ways companies interact with their shareholders are undergoing significant changes. The latest edition of DFIN’s guide offers practical insights drawn from an analysis of over 1,500 proxy statements and showcases best practices from more than 300 leading public companies. By highlighting essential trends in proxy disclosures, DFIN aims to empower organizations to communicate their strategies around governance, compensation, and long-term value to investors more effectively.

Key Insights from the 2026 Edition

The guide delves into several pivotal areas that are shaping the future of proxy communications:

1. Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Risks: Organizations are increasingly focused on addressing AI governance and technology oversight, along with related disclosure considerations.
2. Board Oversight and Governance Transparency: Strategies for improving communication surrounding board composition, leadership structure, and risk oversight responsibilities are showcased.
3. Executive Compensation Disclosure: The guide provides innovative approaches for simplifying compensation discussions and reinforcing pay-for-performance narratives.
4. Cybersecurity and Enterprise Risk Management: As the threat landscape evolves, the guide outlines effective communication practices for discussing cyber preparedness and board oversight of critical risks.
5. Human Capital and Workforce Strategy: Techniques for spotlighting talent initiatives, employee development, and corporate culture are discussed.
6. Proxy Design and Shareholder Engagement: Best practices are shared for enhancing readability, accessibility, and the overall experience for shareholders.

Importance of Proxy Statements

According to Leah Trzcinski, DFIN's Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, proxy statements have become crucial for companies as they seek to establish clear, comparable, and strategic data in a sea of informal communications. She emphasizes, “The Guide to Effective Proxies helps organizations move beyond mere compliance, creating documentation that fosters trust and enhances shareholder engagement.”

Ron Schneider, Director of Corporate Governance Services at DFIN, also noted the significance of proxy statements. He states, “This year’s guide highlights innovative strategies for enhancing transparency, improving engagement, and linking complex governance disclosures with the company’s overarching business strategy.”

Supporting Proxy Creation with ActiveDisclosure

Many examples found within the guide illustrate the use of DFIN’s ActiveDisclosureSM, a financial reporting and disclosure management solution designed to optimize collaboration among legal, finance, investor relations, and governance teams. The tool helps improve accuracy, manage document versions, and enables organizations to produce professional, investor-focused proxy documents quickly. Its capabilities include multi-column layouts and advanced typography controls, which create engaging and visually attractive disclosures.

As proxy season approaches, companies are encouraged to leverage this guide to turn the process into a strategic advantage. On September 14, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET, DFIN will host a live discussion about the insights in the 14th Annual Guide to Effective Proxies.

About DFIN

Donnelley Financial Solutions remains committed to supporting clients in meeting their compliance and regulatory needs while enhancing efficiency throughout the corporate lifecycle. For more information, visit DFINsolutions.com or follow DFIN on LinkedIn.