Ive been against a shareholder representative on the board and...

Ive been against a shareholder representative on the board and likely because of the name suggested. That said given the screaming disconnect between shareholder sentiment and the boards self perceived performance i now would view this as a positive with the right candidate. AI takes credit for the below:

A "shareholder advocate on the board" refers to a board member who is specifically appointed to represent the interests of shareholders, actively voicing their concerns and pushing for decisions that maximize shareholder value within the company, often by engaging in dialogue with management and proposing changes to company strategy or policies.

Key points about a shareholder advocate on the board:

• Role:
  Their primary responsibility is to ensure that the board is considering the perspectives of shareholders when making key decisions, particularly related to financial performance, corporate governance, and strategic direction.
• Activism potential:
  While not always considered an "activist" per se, a shareholder advocate may actively push for significant changes if they believe the company is not acting in the best interests of shareholders.
• Engagement methods:
  They may engage with other board members, management, and shareholders to gather feedback, propose resolutions, and advocate for specific actions.
• Selection process:
  Companies often appoint a shareholder advocate from a group of large shareholders or select someone with a strong track record of representing investor interests.