How Are Dealmakers Really Feeling About 2026?

Inside Shareholder Activism: Boardroom Strategies That Work

In the final episode of season three of The Dealist podcast, we explore the evolving world of shareholder activism and corporate governance. We’re joined by Michael Vogele of Alliance Advisors and corporate governance expert Charles Elson, founding director, Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware and executive editor at large, Directors & Boards, to unpack the trends shaping boardrooms and dealmaking today. Key topics include: • Why activist campaigns are reaching record levels • How boards can prepare for shareholder scrutiny • The growing importance of board composition and refreshment • The role of governance in M&A strategy and corporate performance • Lessons from Elon Musk and Tesla on board independence and shareholder influence • Practical advice for companies facing activist investors From proxy battles and shareholder proposals to investor engagement and long-term value creation, this episode offers timely insights for executives, directors and dealmakers navigating an increasingly complex market environment.

PwC on Deals: Reinventing M&A Structures for a Changing Market

PwC partners Kevin Desai [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-r-desai] and Chris Rhodes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-rhodes-a7a65323] join this episode of The Dealist podcast to explore how deal structures are evolving as capital markets grow more complex — and why sticking to the old playbook may now be the biggest risk. As Chris highlights, deal complexity isn’t something to avoid — it’s where opportunity lives. With new sources of capital emerging, dealmakers need to rethink how they structure transactions and stay open to approaches that better fit today’s environment. The key takeaway: don’t be afraid of where the money comes from and make sure it’s right for your business, your deal and the governance needed to drive value. What you’ll learn: * Why the real risk today is doing deals the way you always have * How evolving deal structures are reshaping M&A strategy * The difference between private capital and private credit — and why it matters * How tailored capital solutions can unlock new opportunities * Why governance and active partnership are critical to realizing value *Subscribe to The Dealist ** * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks [https://www.youtube.com/intralinks] Further reading H1 2026 Global M&A Dealmakers Sentiment Report: Our annual survey published with Reuters reveals how 400 corporate and PE professionals expect disrupted deal pipelines, regulatory changes and ongoing geopolitical risks to shape dealmaking in H1 2026. Download here: https://www.intralinks.com/resources/reports/global-ma-dealmakers-sentiment-report-h1-2026?utm_campaign=701pq00000hlmkc&utm_program=dealist-podcast&utm_content=s3e4 [https://www.intralinks.com/resources/reports/global-ma-dealmakers-sentiment-report-h1-2026?utm_campaign=701pq00000hlmkc&utm_program=dealist-podcast&utm_content=s3e4]

What Makes A Good IPO?

The initial public offering (IPO) market is showing signs of life, but it’s a very different landscape from years past. In this episode of The Dealist podcast, presented by SS&C Intralinks, we explore what it really takes to go public in today’s more selective, fundamentals-driven environment. Host Catherine Ford is joined by veteran Silicon Valley lawyer Louis Lehot [https://www.linkedin.com/in/louislehot] of Foley & Lardner LLP, and Blockstream CFO Michael Golomb [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgolomb] who has taken multiple companies public. They unpack why companies are staying private longer, why IPOs are no longer the default path, and what’s driving the current wave of market readiness. Listen to learn: • What’s changed in the IPO landscape — and why timing matters more than ever • The real reasons companies choose to go public (and when they shouldn’t) • What IPO readiness looks like across teams, systems and strategy • How artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to shape the IPO process • The key ingredients of a successful IPO — from strong fundamentals to a compelling growth story If you want a clear, insider view of what separates a good IPO from a great one, this episode delivers. *Subscribe to The Dealist ** * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks [https://www.youtube.com/intralinks] Further reading IPO Readiness in 2026: Our new white paper, informed by expert insights shared during a recent panel Intralinks hosted with Foley & Lardner LLP, examines how investor expectations, sector dynamics and operational discipline are redefining what IPO readiness means in 2026. Download it here: https://www.intralinks.com/resources/whitepapers/ipo-readiness-2026?utm_campaign=701rm00000ynm0b&utm_program=dealist-podcast&utm_content=podcast-s3e4 [https://www.intralinks.com/resources/whitepapers/ipo-readiness-2026?utm_campaign=701rm00000ynm0b&utm_program=dealist-podcast&utm_content=podcast-s3e4]

It’s The End of Desktop Due Diligence As We Know It

The most successful M&A deals start with a clear thesis —one grounded in what must be true for the deal to deliver value. Due diligence has been redefined as a result, shifting toward a more focused, thesis-led approach. And with that shift comes the end of traditional “desktop diligence.” As Kevin Desai [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-r-desai], U.S. and Mexico Deals leader at PwC, puts it: “The old days of doing desktop diligence … probably not enough.” In this episode of The Dealist podcast presented by SS&C Intralinks [https://www.intralinks.com], Kevin joins us to explore how due diligence has evolved into a far more strategic, hands-on discipline. Today, success starts with a critical question: What must be true for this deal to succeed? From there, diligence becomes thesis-led — focused not just on validating the numbers, but on understanding whether a business is truly built to deliver on its value creation plan. That means going deeper into operations, talent, culture and technology, and bringing in the right specialists to assess each dimension. The conversation also highlights a major shift in expectations: diligence is no longer just about identifying risks — it’s about building conviction. In a competitive deal environment, investors need speed to insight, clear answers and actionable solutions to move decisively. Listen to learn: • How aligning early around the strategic imperative shapes the entire diligence process • The need for multidisciplinary expertise across operations, technology, talent and culture • How to identify and address capability gaps without derailing the deal • Why human interaction — not just data — remains essential to uncovering real insight • The importance of integrating post-merger thinking early, with a focus on long-term value creation • How speed, clarity and stakeholder alignment drive better deal outcomes

The New Reality of Cross-Border M&A

Cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) dealmaking is back on the agenda — even as geopolitical tension and regulatory scrutiny remain high. In this episode of The Dealist podcast, Jannan Crozier, partner and global head of M&A at Baker McKenzie, shares what’s driving renewed optimism and how dealmakers can navigate the evolving landscape. The discussion explores how stabilizing interest rates, private equity dry powder, supply chain shifts and shareholder activism are fueling activity across regions. It also unpacks the growing complexity of foreign direct investment (FDI) regimes and what it takes to structure deals that can withstand heightened scrutiny. Key themes include: • Why optimism is returning to cross-border M&A • Bridging valuation gaps with creative deal structures • The expanding role of FDI and regulatory scrutiny • Managing risk, timelines and deal certainty • How advisors and clients can work together to find a path to “yes” *Subscribe to The Dealist ** * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dealist/id1805660414] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/5zinlPsfd2xDuY10zdIBqJ] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/intralinks [https://www.youtube.com/intralinks] Further reading Download 8 Ways GenAI Is Shaping Corp Dev, Legal and IT here: https://www.intralinks.com/resources/reports/8-ways-genai-shaping-corp-dev-legal-and-it?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=701pq00000zkdcr&utm_content=podcast-s2e4 [https://www.intralinks.com/resources/reports/8-ways-genai-shaping-corp-dev-legal-and-it?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=701pq00000zkdcr&utm_content=podcast-s2e4]