Pete Shimer joins Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) board and key committees

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Korn Ferry expanded its Board of Directors to nine members and elected Pete (Peter) Shimer as a new independent director. He was appointed to the Board’s Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Shimer is the former Chief Operating Officer of Deloitte U.S., where he also served as interim CEO and previously held roles including Chief Financial Officer and Lead Client Service Partner for multiple Fortune 500 clients. As a non-employee director, he will receive the standard, prorated compensation provided under Korn Ferry’s non-employee director compensation program. The company highlighted his extensive consulting, operational, financial and governance experience as a strong complement to its board.

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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): March 5, 2026

KORN FERRY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-14505		95-2623879
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1225

Los Angeles, California 90067

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 552-1834

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ 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 $0.01 per share		KFY		New York Stock Exchange

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.

On March 5, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Korn Ferry, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), increased the size of the Board to nine directors and immediately thereafter elected Peter Shimer as a director and appointed him to the Board’s Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board determined that Mr. Shimer is an independent director within the meaning of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Shimer’s appointment is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Shimer and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected as a director. There is no information that is required to be disclosed with respect to Mr. Shimer pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

As a non-employee director, Mr. Shimer will receive standard compensation amounts (pro-rated for his service on the Board from the date of his appointment until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders) payable to non-employee directors of the Company, consistent with the terms of the Company’s non-employee director compensation program as described in Exhibit 10.52 (Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation Program, Effective May 1, 2025) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2025.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1		Press Release, dated March 6, 2026.
Exhibit 104		The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101).

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.

				KORN FERRY
				(Registrant)
Date: March 6, 2026				/s/ Jonathan Kuai
				(Signature)
				Name:		Jonathan Kuai
				Title:		Chief People & Legal Officer, Managing Director – Corporate Responsibility & Business Affairs, and Corporate Secretary

Exhibit 99.1

Pete Shimer Joins Korn Ferry’s Board of Directors

Los Angeles, March 6, 2026 – Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) today announced that Pete Shimer, former Chief Operating Officer of Deloitte U.S., has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors and appointed to the Board’s Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Shimer brings to Korn Ferry’s Board extensive consulting, operational and financial expertise, having spent his entire career at Deloitte in a range of senior roles. As Deloitte U.S.’s COO, he led Finance & Administration, Information Technology, and Corporate Development, helping to bridge strategy and operations to drive world-class operating results. He also served as Interim Deloitte U.S. Chief Executive Officer.

Throughout his tenure at Deloitte, Shimer held several key leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Lead Client Service Partner for multiple Fortune 500 clients. In these roles, he was responsible for evaluating major investments—across acquisitions, joint ventures, technology, and innovation initiatives—and advancing strategic priorities.

“We are excited to have Pete join our Board of Directors,” said Gary D. Burnison, CEO, Korn Ferry. “His strong consulting experience, combined with his broad operational expertise, financial acumen and experience driving strategic investments at scale, will be a strong complement to our Board.”

“We welcome Pete, who brings significant professional services, governance and executive leadership experience to our Board,” said Jerry Leamon, Non-Executive Chair of Korn Ferry’s Board of Directors. “His track record of aligning strategy and operations within a complex global organization will further enhance the breadth and depth of our Board’s capabilities.”

Shimer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Washington. He currently serves as Executive Committee Chair of the Cancer Artificial Intelligence Alliance and is on the Board of Directors of Alaska Air Group, where he is a member of the Audit and Safety Committees, and Synopsys, where he is a member of the Audit Committee. He is also an Executive Committee Board member and Vice Chair for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and Board Member of the University of Washington Foster School of Business.

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance. We unlock the potential in your people and unleash transformation across your business—synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. That’s why the world’s most forward-thinking companies across every major industry turn to us—for a shared commitment to lasting impact and the bold ambition to Be More Than.

As the Official Talent & Organizational Consulting Partner of LA28, Korn Ferry is powering the nearly 5,000 people who power the Olympic Games—bringing in the right talent, building strong leaders, and shaping the structure and culture that will deliver an unforgettable experience for the world.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that relate to Korn Ferry’s goals, strategies, future plans and expectations, and other statements of future events or conditions, such as expectations regarding future board capabilities, performance or benefits, are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “may,” “should,” “will,” or “likely,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Such statements are based on current expectations; actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in business strategy, that are beyond the control of Korn Ferry, including those risks and uncertainties included in Korn Ferry’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025. Korn Ferry disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Contact

Dan Gugler

Korn Ferry

dan.gugler@kornferry.com

FAQ

What board change did Korn Ferry (KFY) announce on March 5, 2026?

Korn Ferry increased its Board of Directors to nine members and elected Pete Shimer as a new independent director. He also joined the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, adding consulting, operational, financial and governance expertise to the board’s oversight capabilities.

Who is Pete Shimer, the new Korn Ferry (KFY) board member?

Pete Shimer is the former Chief Operating Officer of Deloitte U.S., where he also served as Interim CEO, Chief Financial Officer and Lead Client Service Partner for multiple Fortune 500 clients. He brings extensive consulting, operational, financial and strategic investment evaluation experience to Korn Ferry’s board.

Is Pete Shimer considered an independent director at Korn Ferry (KFY)?

Yes. Korn Ferry’s Board determined that Pete Shimer is an independent director under New York Stock Exchange listing standards. This classification reflects that he meets the NYSE’s independence criteria, supporting robust oversight through his roles on the Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.

How will Korn Ferry (KFY) compensate new director Pete Shimer?

As a non-employee director, Pete Shimer will receive the standard compensation amounts payable to Korn Ferry’s non-employee directors, prorated from his appointment date until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders. These amounts follow the company’s non-employee director compensation program described in a prior Form 10-K exhibit.

Does Korn Ferry (KFY) disclose any related-party arrangements for Pete Shimer?

Korn Ferry states there are no arrangements or understandings with other persons under which Pete Shimer was selected as a director. The company also notes there is no information about him that must be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, which addresses certain related-party transactions.

What forward-looking statements does Korn Ferry (KFY) include about its board changes?

Korn Ferry notes that statements about future board capabilities, performance and benefits from Pete Shimer’s appointment are forward-looking. These are subject to risks and uncertainties, including changes in business strategy, as described in the company’s Annual Report risk factor and forward-looking statements sections.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 7.0 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 2.8 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 17.6 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 11.0 KB