The Education of an Activist Jeff Smith, CEO of Starboard Value, put his activist hedge fund on the map with Darden Restaurants and changed the activist conversation at the same time. Here’s how Smith got his start. Related Articles Premium 2020’s Top Hedge Fund Activist Kept Making Demands Even as the Pandemic Raged Michelle Celarier Premium Hedgies See SPACs Flounder Michelle Celarier A Long-Term Approach to Using ETFs in Institutional Portfolios Sponsored by Northern Trust Asset Management