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Ohio Activist Shakes Up Wall Street
3 Mar
Summary
- Ancora Holdings, an Ohio-based firm, leads public activism campaigns.
- Activist Jim Chadwick uses aggressive tactics, sometimes with outbursts.
- Ancora's activist fund manages $1.5 billion, focusing on smaller companies.

Ancora Holdings, a wealth adviser based near Cleveland, Ohio, has become a prominent activist investor. Spearheaded by activism specialist Jim Chadwick, the firm has initiated over 30 public campaigns in the past six years. Chadwick, known for a dual personality ranging from soft-spoken to brash during conflicts, leads a team that aims for constructive behind-the-scenes engagement, resorting to public "hard" tactics when necessary.
Chadwick attributes Ancora's assertive approach to its "very Cleveland" roots, describing the city as resilient and often overlooked, fostering a competitive spirit. The firm's growing influence aligns with the rise of Ohio native JD Vance in national politics, with Ancora's CEO Fred Di Santo having established relationships with Republican donors and policymakers.
Ancora's hedge fund dedicated to activism manages approximately $1.5 billion, with plans to maintain this size to ensure agility. The firm often utilizes special-purpose vehicles to raise additional capital from its wealth-management clients for larger investments. Their newest fund, Bellator, experienced nearly 18% growth in 2025, outperforming the activist hedge-fund index.
Ancora has a track record of notable campaigns, including a significant stake in Norfolk Southern in early 2024, where they successfully secured more board seats after an initial proxy fight. The firm also tapped into Midwestern relationships, building alliances with union groups that supported their activism.




