Corporate America didn’t “go woke” overnight—it was pushed there through ESG and DEI mandates driven by powerful asset managers, proxy advisors, and activist investors.

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network is joined by Allen Mendenhall, Senior Advisor for the Free Enterprise Initiative at the Heritage Foundation.

Mendenhall breaks down what ESG and DEI really mean, how the shift from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder governance reshaped corporate decision-making, and why non-financial political standards began overriding profit, performance, and fiduciary duty. The conversation explores how large asset managers and proxy firms exert massive influence over corporate boards—often pushing companies into cultural battles that alienate customers and hurt long-term value.

The episode also dives into Heritage’s groundbreaking strategy to flip the script—using the same shareholder tools once weaponized by ESG activists to restore corporate neutrality, protect investors, and refocus companies on profitability and lawful governance. Mendenhall explains how shareholder engagement, proposal withdrawals, and behind-the-scenes negotiations are already changing corporate behavior across major brands.