Sonder Holdings (NASDAQ: SOND) CFO exits as interim CEO takes finance duties

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Sonder Holdings Inc. reported that its Chief Financial Officer, Michael Hughes, resigned from his position effective August 15, 2025. The company stated that his resignation is not related to accounting policies, reporting obligations, regulations, or internal control over financial reporting, which helps reassure investors about the integrity of its financial statements.

Interim Chief Executive Officer Janice Sears has also assumed the role of principal financial officer on an interim basis until a new successor is appointed. This means she is temporarily responsible for both overall leadership and the company’s top finance function while the board searches for a new CFO.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Chief Financial Officer resignation effective August 15, 2025 removes a key financial executive and may raise concerns about leadership continuity, despite the company stating it is not related to accounting or reporting issues.

Insights

Corporate governance and capital markets analyst

CFO resignation introduces leadership risk despite reassurances on accounting.

The resignation of Michael Hughes as Chief Financial Officer, effective August 15, 2025, removes a key financial leader from Sonder Holdings Inc.. Although the company explicitly states the decision is not related to accounting policies, reporting obligations, regulations, or internal control over financial reporting, a CFO change can still affect continuity in financial strategy and external communication.

Janice Sears, currently interim Chief Executive Officer, has also taken on the duties of principal financial officer on an interim basis. Concentrating both the CEO and top finance responsibilities in one person is a notable governance development, even if temporary, and may focus attention on how quickly a permanent CFO is appointed and how responsibilities are rebalanced.

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.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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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): August 8, 2025

SONDER HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware						001-39907			85-2097088
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)						(Commission File Number)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
447 Sutter St., Suite 405 #542
San Francisco,			California						94108
(Address of principal executive offices)									(Zip Code)

(617) 300-0956

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(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 communication 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 Symbols

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

SOND

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Warrants, each 20 warrants exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $230.00 per share

SONDW

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.

On August 8, 2025, Michael Hughes, the Chief Financial Officer of Sonder Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), resigned from his position, effective August 15, 2025. The resignation is not related to any issues regarding accounting policies, standards or practices, reporting obligations or other regulations, or internal control over financial reporting.

Janice Sears, the Company’s interim Chief Executive Officer, has assumed the duties as the Company’s principal financial officer on an interim basis until a successor is appointed.

The information disclosed in the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 25, 2025 related to Ms. Sears’s background and her relationships and arrangements with the Company is incorporated by reference herein.

SIGNATURE

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 thereunto duly authorized.

			Sonder Holdings Inc.
Date: August 14, 2025			By:			/s/ Vanessa Barmack
			Name:			Vanessa Barmack
			Title:			General Counsel and Secretary

FAQ

What executive change did Sonder Holdings Inc. (SOND) report?

Sonder Holdings Inc. reported that its Chief Financial Officer, Michael Hughes, resigned from his position, effective August 15, 2025.

Did Sonder (SOND) indicate any accounting issues related to the CFO resignation?

The company stated that Michael Hughes’s resignation is not related to accounting policies, standards or practices, reporting obligations, other regulations, or internal control over financial reporting.

Who is serving as Sonder’s interim principal financial officer after the CFO resignation?

Janice Sears, the interim Chief Executive Officer of Sonder Holdings Inc., has assumed the duties of the company’s principal financial officer on an interim basis until a successor is appointed.

What roles does Janice Sears currently hold at Sonder Holdings Inc. (SOND)?

Janice Sears is serving as interim Chief Executive Officer and has also taken on the responsibilities of principal financial officer on an interim basis.

When did the executive changes at Sonder Holdings Inc. (SOND) occur?

Michael Hughes resigned on August 8, 2025, with effectiveness on August 15, 2025, and at that time interim CEO Janice Sears assumed the principal financial officer duties.