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Activist investor Jeff Ubben '87 shares his insight with Dean Sally Blount '92 at a Brave Leader Series event on Jan. 28.

Jeff Ubben '87

Winning the long race through activist investing

ValueAct Capital’s Jeff Ubben ’87 talks investment strategy


1/29/2015 - Ever since starting activist hedge fund ValueAct Capital in 2000, CEO and Chief Investment Officer Jeff Ubben ’87 has taken a slow, deliberate approach to growing the companies he joins.

Ubben believes long-term engagement gives companies the necessary time to make the changes and get back on their feet. “You have to be willing to win the long race,” he says. “I’m happy being the tortoise. In fact, I want to be the tortoise.”

Ubben shared his thoughts on activist investing with Dean Sally Blount ’92 and a packed hall of Kellogg students during the Brave Leader Series, a discussion that ranged from collaborating with shareholders to enduring a tumultuous turnaround.

Watch highlights from Ubben’s talk with Dean Blount on activist investing:



Ubben on preferring a longer-term approach 



Ubben on making risky choices




Ubben on working with shareholders




Ubben on taking a hit 




Learn more from past Brave Leaders: