Atara Biotherapeutics names interim CFO from CRCFO

Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. reported leadership changes in its finance organization.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. reported leadership changes in its finance organization. The company notified Chief Accounting Officer Yanina Grant-Huerta that her employment will end effective July 17, 2026. This affects oversight of financial reporting and accounting.

Effective June 26, 2026, the board appointed Kevin G. Sarney of Charles River CFO, Inc. as interim chief financial officer. He will also serve as principal financial officer and principal accounting officer under a consulting agreement with CRCFO, which can be terminated by either party with 30 days’ written notice. Mr. Sarney brings over 25 years of life science finance and accounting experience and will enter into Atara’s standard indemnification agreement for executive officers.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Atara rotates key finance roles, adding an experienced interim CFO via a consulting firm.

The company is transitioning its finance leadership by ending the Chief Accounting Officer’s employment and appointing an interim chief financial officer who will also act as principal financial and accounting officer. Using Charles River CFO, Inc. and a consulting agreement suggests a flexible, outsourced model.

The agreement’s 30‑day termination notice provides adaptability but also highlights the temporary nature of this arrangement. Future disclosures may clarify whether a permanent CFO and accounting structure are established, which would indicate longer‑term stability in the company’s financial leadership.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Key Figures

CAO employment end date: July 17, 2026 Interim CFO appointment date: June 26, 2026 Interim CFO age: 61 +3 more

6 metrics

CAO employment end date July 17, 2026 Effective date for end of Chief Accounting Officer’s employment

Interim CFO appointment date June 26, 2026 Effective date Kevin G. Sarney became interim CFO

Interim CFO age 61 Age of Kevin G. Sarney as disclosed

Finance experience Over 25 years Finance and accounting experience with life science companies

Consulting agreement notice period 30 days Written notice required to terminate consulting agreement

CRCFO consulting start January 2021 When Sarney began consulting at Charles River CFO, Inc.

Key Terms

interim chief financial officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, Consulting Agreement, +2 more

6 terms

interim chief financial officer financial

"appointed Kevin G. Sarney, Life Science Practice Leader at Charles River CFO, Inc. as interim chief financial officer"

An interim chief financial officer is a temporary leader responsible for managing a company's financial activities, such as budgeting, financial planning, and reporting, during a transitional period. Think of it as filling in for a key manager until a permanent replacement is found. For investors, this role is important because it ensures financial stability and clear guidance during times of change or uncertainty.

principal financial officer financial

"Mr. Sarney will serve as the Company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer"

The principal financial officer is the senior executive who runs a company's financial operations: preparing and certifying financial reports, managing accounting controls, budgets and cash flow, and advising on financial strategy. Investors care about this role because its competence affects how trustworthy the company’s numbers are, how well it manages risk and capital needs, and the credibility of forecasts—like the chief navigator steering a firm's financial course.

principal accounting officer financial

"will serve as the Company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer"

The Principal Accounting Officer is the person responsible for making sure a company's financial records are accurate and follow the rules. They play a key role in preparing financial reports that show how well the company is doing. This helps investors, managers, and regulators trust the company's financial information.

Consulting Agreement financial

"provide interim chief financial officer services pursuant to a consulting agreement with CRCFO"

indemnification agreement financial

"Mr. Sarney will enter into the Company’s standard indemnification agreement for directors and executive officers"

An indemnification agreement is a contract in which one party promises to cover losses, costs, or legal claims that another party might face, acting like a tailored safety net or private insurance policy. For investors, it matters because such agreements shift potential financial risk away from a company or its officers and onto the indemnifier, which can affect a company’s future liabilities, cash flow and how risky the investment appears during deal-making or litigation.

related person transactions regulatory

"There are no related person transactions (within the meaning of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K)"

Transactions between a company and individuals or entities that have close relationships to the company’s insiders or major owners, such as executives, directors, their family members, or firms they control. These deals matter to investors because they can affect the company's finances or fairness—like a shop owner buying supplies from a relative’s business, which could be normal but might also favor the relative or mask conflicts of interest—so transparency and terms are closely watched.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What leadership change did Atara Biotherapeutics (ATRA) announce in this 8-K?

Atara Biotherapeutics announced that Chief Accounting Officer Yanina Grant-Huerta’s employment will end on July 17, 2026. The filing also details the appointment of an interim chief financial officer who will assume principal financial and principal accounting officer responsibilities.

Who is Atara Biotherapeutics’ new interim CFO and what are his roles?

Atara appointed Kevin G. Sarney as interim chief financial officer effective June 26, 2026. He will serve as the company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, overseeing finance and accounting functions during the interim period under a consulting arrangement with Charles River CFO, Inc.

How is Kevin Sarney engaged by Atara Biotherapeutics (ATRA)?

Kevin Sarney provides interim CFO services under a consulting agreement between Atara and Charles River CFO, Inc. Atara pays CRCFO an agreed hourly rate for his services, while Sarney receives no compensation directly from Atara, reflecting an outsourced executive finance arrangement.

Can the consulting agreement for Atara Biotherapeutics’ interim CFO be terminated?

Yes. The consulting agreement between Atara and Charles River CFO, Inc. may be terminated by either party upon 30 days’ written notice. This structure offers flexibility for both sides and underscores the temporary, interim nature of the current chief financial officer arrangement.

What experience does Kevin Sarney bring to Atara Biotherapeutics (ATRA)?

Kevin Sarney has over 25 years of finance and accounting experience with life science companies. He has been a consultant at Charles River CFO, Inc. since January 2021 and previously held executive finance roles, following earlier work as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Are there any related-party or family relationships involving Atara’s interim CFO?

The filing states there are no arrangements or understandings with other persons regarding Kevin Sarney’s appointment. It also notes no family relationships with Atara’s directors or executive officers and no related person transactions with the company under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

Accepted by SEC EDGAR 06/26/2026 - 04:15 PM Learn about SEC filing dates

0001604464false00016044642026-06-222026-06-22

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 22, 2026

Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware			001-36548	46-0920988
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
1280 Rancho Conejo Blvd
Thousand Oaks, California				91320
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (805) 623-4211

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share		ATRA		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain
Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b)

On June 22, 2026, Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) notified Yanina Grant-Huerta, the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer, that her employment with the Company would end effective July 17, 2026.

(c)

On June 26, 2026, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed Kevin G. Sarney, Life Science Practice Leader at Charles River CFO, Inc. (“CRCFO”), as interim chief financial officer, effective as of June 26, 2026. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Sarney will serve as the Company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Mr. Sarney will provide interim chief financial officer services pursuant to a consulting agreement with CRCFO to which the Company is a party (the “Consulting Agreement”). Under the Consulting Agreement, the Company will pay CRCFO an agreed upon hourly rate for Mr. Sarney’s services. Mr. Sarney will not receive any compensation directly from the Company. The Consulting Agreement may be terminated by either the Company or CRCFO upon 30 days written notice. Mr. Sarney will enter into the Company’s standard indemnification agreement for directors and executive officers.

Mr. Sarney, age 61, has over 25 years of finance and accounting experience with life science companies. Since January 2021, Mr. Sarney has served as a consultant at CRCFO, a provider of strategic and operational finance and accounting services for life science companies. Prior to joining CRCFO, Mr. Sarney served in executive finance positions with a number of publicly traded and privately held life science companies. Earlier in his career, Mr. Sarney was an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Sarney received a B.S. in Management from the University of Hartford, an M.S. in Accounting from the Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University, and an M.B.A. in Finance from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. In addition, Mr. Sarney is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Sarney and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Sarney was appointed principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. There are no family relationships between Mr. Sarney and any director, executive officer or any other person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer. There are no related person transactions (within the meaning of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission) between Mr. Sarney and the Company.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			ATARA BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
Date:	June 26, 2026	By:	/s/ AnhCo Thieu Nguyen
			AnhCo Thieu Nguyen, Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Executive Officer)

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

1 document

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA WITH EMBEDDED LINKBASES DOCUMENT 23.3 KB