Coursera (COUR) shareholders approve directors, executive pay and Deloitte as auditor
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Coursera, Inc. held its 2026 annual stockholder meeting, where investors voted on board elections, executive pay, and the auditor for the coming year. As of the April 23, 2026 record date, 169,333,436 common shares were outstanding, and 133,743,423 shares were represented, establishing a quorum.
Stockholders elected three Class II directors—Christopher D. McCarthy, Andrew Y. Ng, and Lydia Paterson—to serve until the 2029 annual meeting or until successors are elected and qualified. They also approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of Coursera’s named executive officers and ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.
Positive
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Negative
- None.
8-K Event Classification
Item 5.07 — Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
1 item
Item 5.07
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Governance
Results of a shareholder vote on proposals at an annual or special meeting.
Key Figures
Shares outstanding: 169,333,436 shares
Shares represented: 133,743,423 shares
Say-on-pay votes for: 100,729,503 votes
+5 more
8 metrics
Shares outstanding
169,333,436 shares
Common stock outstanding and entitled to vote as of April 23, 2026
Shares represented
133,743,423 shares
Shares present in person or by proxy at 2026 annual meeting (quorum)
Say-on-pay votes for
100,729,503 votes
Votes in favor of executive compensation advisory resolution
Say-on-pay votes against
13,960,373 votes
Votes against executive compensation advisory resolution
Auditor ratification for
131,826,645 votes
Votes in favor of ratifying Deloitte & Touche LLP for fiscal 2026
Director votes for Lydia Paterson
114,504,109 votes
Votes for election of Class II director Lydia Paterson
Director votes for Andrew Y. Ng
98,840,457 votes
Votes for election of Class II director Andrew Y. Ng
Director votes for Christopher D. McCarthy
96,895,428 votes
Votes for election of Class II director Christopher D. McCarthy
Key Terms
broker non-votes, non-binding advisory basis, independent registered public accounting firm, quorum
4 terms
broker non-votes financial
"For | Withheld | Broker Non-Votes Christopher D. McCarthy | 96,895,428 | 17,927,486 | 18,920,509"
Broker non-votes occur when a brokerage firm is unable to vote on a shareholder’s behalf during a company election or decision because the shareholder has not given specific voting instructions, and the broker is not allowed or chooses not to vote on certain matters. They are important because they can affect the outcome of votes, especially when the results are close, by effectively reducing the total number of votes cast.
non-binding advisory basis financial
"The compensation paid by Coursera to its named executive officers ... was approved, on a non-binding advisory basis."
A non-binding advisory basis is guidance or a recommendation offered for informational purposes that does not create legal obligations or guarantees; recipients can accept, modify, or ignore it without contractual consequences. Investors should treat it like a weather forecast for planning—useful for forming expectations and assessing risk, but not a firm promise—so they should verify assumptions, seek confirming information, and avoid relying on it as the sole basis for investment decisions.
independent registered public accounting firm financial
"The appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Coursera’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 was ratified."
An independent registered public accounting firm is an outside accounting company officially registered with the government regulator to examine and report on a public company's financial records and controls. Investors treat its reports like an impartial inspector’s certificate — they add credibility to financial statements, help spot errors or misleading claims, and reduce the risk that shareholders are relying on unchecked or biased numbers.
quorum financial
"A total of 133,743,423 shares of Coursera’s common stock, constituting a quorum, were represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting."
A quorum is the minimum number of members needed to officially hold a meeting or make decisions. It ensures that decisions are made with enough participation to represent the group’s interests, much like a majority must be present for a vote to be valid. For investors, understanding quorum is important because it affects when and how important company or organization decisions can be legally made.
FAQ
What did Coursera (COUR) stockholders vote on at the 2026 annual meeting?
Stockholders voted on electing three Class II directors, approving executive compensation on a non-binding advisory basis, and ratifying Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.
Were Coursera’s Class II director nominees elected at the 2026 annual meeting?
Yes. Stockholders elected Christopher D. McCarthy, Andrew Y. Ng, and Lydia Paterson as Class II directors. They will serve until Coursera’s 2029 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Did Coursera (COUR) stockholders approve executive compensation in 2026?
Yes. Stockholders approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of Coursera’s named executive officers. The say-on-pay proposal received 100,729,503 votes for, 13,960,373 against, and 133,038 abstentions, with 18,920,509 broker non-votes recorded.
Which auditor did Coursera (COUR) stockholders ratify for the 2026 fiscal year?
Stockholders ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as Coursera’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, with 131,826,645 votes for, 1,820,667 against, and 96,111 abstentions on the ratification proposal.