itstargetnews
Inspire Investing CEO Robert Netzly and CFA Tim Schwarzenberger talk exclusively to Fox News Digital about their 2026 shareholder proposals and the “real, tangible change” they expect.
EXCLUSIVE: Corporate America has long argued that progressive social activism reflects the will of customers and shareholders, but a growing group of investors is now rejecting that idea.
A Christian investment company which manages more than $4 billion in assets is targeting dozens of large corporations this year with shareholder proposals aimed at pressuring the companies to drop what it calls “woke” agendas, return to political neutrality and focus on their core business.
“Really what we’re working to do with our engagement efforts is help corporations get back to a place of neutrality, stay out of contentious social issues and really just focus on shareholder value and properly represent the fiduciary duty that they do to get shareholder value instead of bringing in all these other risks that come with social activism,” said Robert Digital Investing, CEO of political activism, Robert Netz Investing.
“We’re long-term investors. We’re not activists,” said Tim Schwarzenberger, Inspire’s CFA. “So what we’re asking companies to do is return to neutrality. And the point of these proposals is that we want companies to treat all of our customers and employees fairly, to focus on their core business, and to stay out of divisive political issues that could expose the company to customer backlash, legal and financial risks.”
The firm spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital about 38 shareholder proposals it plans to file throughout 2026, targeting companies among the so-called “Magnificent Seven” and other large-cap corporations on policies related to water use and artificial intelligence, off-duty speech, layoffs, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, access to abortion pills and more.
Inspire Investing is targeting a large number of large corporations in 2026, tied to DEI-related resolution issues. (Getty Images)
“We’re seeing these chickens come home to roost. The things that we’ve been warning about and saying that these social issues, the social activism on behalf of these companies, includes real material and financial risk to shareholders is proving to be true,” Netzly said. “And as you look at the cautionary tales of Bud Light, of Disney, of Target, other companies are looking on the sidelines and taking their lessons. And so as we go into these boardrooms, as we go to shareholder meetings, as we talk to investor relations departments, we have the truth on our side.”
Critics have pointed to recent high-profile corporate controversies as examples of the financial risks that can follow divisive social activism. Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White” lost $115 million, according to Deadlinewho cited the film’s creative direction as a factor. After launching its Pride 2023 collection, which included items for children, Target’s market cap fell by more than $9 billion amid sustained consumer backlash. Anheuser-Busch InBev also faced multibillion-dollar losses after Bud Light partnered with a transgender influencer.
“We’ve seen time and time again that when companies get involved in divisive political issues, it creates brand risk and customer backlash. So basically, these proposals act as guardrails. They help boards identify risks they might not be aware of,” Schwarzenberger added. “I think customers and investors have been a sleeping giant, asleep at the wheel, and they’ve finally woken up.”
“The Big Money Show” panel reacts to the growing backlash over the alleged bailout, as lawmakers warn that major banks may be cutting Americans off for political or ideological reasons.
Netzly argued that Inspire’s proposals are based on a principle shared by many Americans: Companies should focus on what they sell, not on social or political messages. He said corporate activism distracts executives from core operations and brings political risk into boardrooms, a trend Inspire hopes to reverse through shareholder pressure.
“Corporate activism comes at a cost,” he said. “That translates into changes in the share price, which translates into lower dividends, less money being reinvested for growth.”
“Most Americans are invested through your 401(k) in their retirement plans, and so when companies perform better, naturally, everyday investors benefit from that,” Schwarzenberger said.
Throughout 2026, Inspire expects to submit 38 shareholder proposals to major corporations for resolution topics related to DEI, divestment, net zero, out-of-service speech and more. (Canva/Fox News Digital)
“We’ve influenced some of the largest corporations in the world. Costco, for example, just this past fall, made the decision based on our long-standing efforts with them over the last two years not to sell the abortion drug, Mifepristone, in their pharmacies. Walmart made the same decision after our engagement with them. That’s how we can make real, lasting change,” Netzly said.
AT&T ELIMINATES DEI PROGRAMS, SAYS HIRING AND ADVANCEMENT WILL NOW BE BASED ON MERIT
While some of the companies Inspire targets have long been profitable for investors, the faith-based company shared a message for skeptics who argue that such pitches on social issues distract from the bottom line.
“There’s a healthy skepticism about these proposals because, historically, a lot of these proposals have been used to push policy and to distract from the bottom line. But that’s not what we’re doing. Our proposals are based on fiduciary duty, so they’re not distractions from profitability,” Schwarzenberger said.
Inspire Investing CEO Robert Netzly joins Making Money to share why he invests in companies that share his faith values.
“My argument would be that our proposals are to get out of social issues, right?” Netzly continued. “The problem is that these companies have already been influenced to the point where they’re spending money and being distracted from their core business through DEI programs, ESG initiatives, through all kinds of things. And our proposals are designed to take them away from those distractions.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the 38 companies Inspire plans to target this year for comment. Most did not respond. Several confirmed that they have received—or have not yet received—formal proposals from Inspire.
Executives said Monday that some meetings, and what they described as “good and productive” discussions, have already taken place with several companies, and Inspire would withdraw the proposals as those talks could happen. In addition, some deadlines for shareholders will not be presented until later this year.
Texas Rep. Brian Harrison talks to Fox News Digital about his mission to eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion funding from Lone Star State agencies.
Netzly and Schwarzenberger said success looks different for each proposal.
GET THE FOX BUSINESS ANYWHERE CLICK HERE
“What we’re looking for is real, tangible change,” Schwarzenberger stressed. “So we’re looking for companies to make specific policy changes, whether it’s changing their code of conduct, their terms of service, or how they use corporate dollars to sponsor controversial events.”
“If the company ignores the proposals, we can still get them on the ballot. We can still rally the troops and work to vote on these things. It really comes down to shareholders,” Netzly said. “And I think that companies that are opposed to even hearing the voice of their shareholders or even allowing things to come to a vote are opening themselves up to (legislative) risk of potential violations of their fiduciary duties. They’re opening themselves up to a lot of risk, and really just brand backlash, for being so tone-deaf when obviously their shareholders are so tone-deaf.”
