Investors target 38 major companies with shareholder proposals to remove ‘woke’ policies
Inspire Investing CEO Robert Netzly and CFA Tim Schwarzenberger speak exclusively to Fox News Digital about their 2026 shareholder proposals and the ‘real, tangible change’ they expect.
BREAKING: Corporate America has long said that continuous social service reflects the will of customers and shareholders — but a growing group of investors is now pushing back against that view.
A Christian investment firm with more than $4 billion in assets has targeted a number of large companies this year with shareholder proposals aimed at pressuring the companies to abandon what they call “rebellious schemes”, return to political neutrality and focus on their core business.
“In fact what we are working to do with our communication efforts, is really help companies to return to a neutral place, not get involved in controversial public issues and focus on the value of the shareholders and adequately represent their fiduciary work that they do to get the value of the shareholders instead of bringing all these other risks related to political activism,” said Robert News. Digital.
“We’re long-term investors. We’re not activists,” said Inspire CFA Tim Schwarzenberger. “So what we are asking companies to return to neutrality. And the purpose of these proposals is that we want companies to treat all our customers and employees properly, and focus on their core business and avoid divisive political issues that may cause the company to rebel against customers, legal and financial risk.”
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The company spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital about the 38 proposals for shareholders that it plans to deliver in 2026 – targeting companies among the so-called “Magnificent Seven” and other large companies regarding policies related to water use and artificial intelligence, absenteeism at work, de-banking, diversity, access to equity and additional DEI.
Inspire Investing is targeting a number of large companies in 2026, tied to DEI-related settlement topics. (Getty Images)
“We see these chickens coming home to roost. The things we were warning about and saying these public issues, public mobilization on behalf of these companies, come with real things, the financial risks for shareholders seem to be true,” said Netzly. “And as you look at the cautionary tales of Bud Light, Disney, Target, other companies are looking away and learning their lessons. And so as we go into these boardrooms, as we go into shareholder meetings, as we talk to investor relations departments, we have the truth on our side.”
Critics have pointed to recent high-profile corporate disputes as examples of the financial risks that can follow divisive social activism. Disney’s new movie “Snow White” has reportedly lost $115 million, according to a report. Deadlinewho pointed out the direction of the film as an influencing factor. After launching its 2023 Pride collection — which includes children’s items — Target’s market capitalization fell by more than $9 billion amid an ongoing consumer backlash. Anheuser-Busch InBev also suffered multibillion-dollar losses after Bud Light partnered with a transgender activist.
“We’ve seen over and over again that when companies get involved in divisive political issues, that creates product risks and customer backlash. So, basically, these proposals act as monitors. They help boards see risks that they might not be aware of,” said Schwarzenberger. “I think customers and investors have been sleeping giants, asleep at the wheel, and they’ve finally woken up.”
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Netzly argued that Inspire’s proposals rest on a principle shared by many Americans: companies should focus on what they sell — not social or political messages. He said corporate activists are distracting executives from key tasks and bringing political risk into boardrooms, a trend Inspire hopes to reverse due to pressure from shareholders.
“Corporate operations come with costs,” he said. “That causes changes in the share price, which leads to lower growth, less money is reinvested for growth.”
“Most Americans have 401(k)s invested in their retirement plans, so when companies do better, naturally, everyday investors benefit from that,” Schwarzenberger said.
Throughout 2026, Inspire expects to submit 38 shareholder proposals to major companies on resolution topics related to DEI, bank issuance, net zero, absenteeism and more. (Canva/Fox News Digital)
“We have influenced some of the biggest companies in the world. Costco, for example, this is only the last fall, made a decision based on our long-term efforts with them a few years ago not to sell the abortion drug, Mifepristone, in their pharmacies. Walmart came to the same decision after our involvement with them. So we can make a real, lasting change. “said Netz.
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While some of the companies Inspire has targeted have long been profitable for investors, the faith-based company shared a message with skeptics who oppose these proposals on public issues that disrupt the vision.
“There is a healthy skepticism about these proposals because, historically, many of these proposals have been used to push politics and interfere on the ground. But that is not what we are doing. Our proposals are based on honest work, so they are not distractions from profit,” said Schwarzenberger.
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“My argument would be that our proposals come out of public affairs, right?” Netzly continued. “The problem is that these companies are already so influenced that they are spending money and disrupting their core business with DEI programs, with ESG programs, with all kinds of things. And our proposals are designed to get them out of those distractions.”
Fox News Digital reached out to all 38 companies in Inspire’s targeting programs this year for comment. Many did not respond. Several have confirmed that they have received – or have not received – official proposals from Inspire.
Executives said Monday that some meetings — and what they described as “positive, productive” discussions — have already taken place with several companies, and that Inspire will withdraw proposals as those discussions take place. Additionally, some shareholder deadlines will not be included until later this year.
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Netzly and Schwarzenberger say success looks different for each proposal.
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“What we want is real, tangible change,” Schwarzenberger emphasized. “So we’re looking for companies to make some policy changes, whether that’s changing their behavior, their terms of service, or how they use corporate dollars to fund controversial events.”
“If the company ignores these proposals, we can still get them on the ballot. We can still rally the forces and work to vote on those things. It really comes down to the shareholders,” said Netzly. “And I think that for those companies that are against hearing the voice of their shareholders or allowing things to be voted on, they are opening up an opportunity for themselves. [legislative] risk of breach of their fiduciary duties. They open themselves up to a lot of risk, and in fact they just back off, because of a bad hearing when it’s clear that their shareholders are asking them to get out of these things. “
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