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Wolverine World Wide (NYSE: WWW) details 2026 shareholder votes on board, pay, auditor, climate

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(Moderate)
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Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. reported results from its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 7, 2026. Shareholders elected four directors—Cheryl Abel-Hodges, William K. Gerber, Nicholas T. Long, and Kathleen Wilson-Thompson—to three-year terms expiring at the 2029 annual meeting.

Shareholders also approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the company’s named executive officers, with 69,069,775 votes for and 2,434,949 against. They ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026, with 74,640,247 votes in favor.

A shareholder proposal regarding new climate change policies or practices was rejected, receiving 7,440,753 votes for and 62,995,443 against, with 1,262,366 abstentions and 5,300,474 broker non-votes.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
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.
Votes for Cheryl Abel-Hodges 71,313,385 votes Director election for term expiring in 2029
Votes for William K. Gerber 69,438,539 votes Director election for term expiring in 2029
Executive pay approval votes 69,069,775 for; 2,434,949 against Advisory vote on named executive officer compensation
Auditor ratification votes for EY 74,640,247 for Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP for fiscal year 2026
Climate proposal votes against 62,995,443 votes Shareholder proposal on new climate change policies or practices
Broker non-votes on key items 5,300,474 broker non-votes Applied to director, pay, and climate proposal items
broker non-votes financial
"Broker Non-Votes 7,440,753 | 62,995,443 | 1,262,366 | 5,300,474"
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.
advisory basis financial
"The shareholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers"
independent registered public accounting firm financial
"independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026"
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.
shareholder proposal financial
"The shareholders rejected the shareholder proposal regarding new climate change policies or practices."
A shareholder proposal is a formal suggestion submitted by an owner of a company’s stock asking other investors to vote on a specific change in company policy, governance, or operations at a shareholder meeting. It matters to investors because proposals can force public discussion, lead to changes that affect risk, costs, or reputation, and serve as a signal of investor priorities—like a homeowner proposing a new rule at a building meeting that could change how the whole property is run.
Annual Meeting of Shareholders financial
"the Company held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”)"
A yearly gathering where a company’s owners (shareholders) vote on key items like electing the board, approving executive pay, and ratifying auditors, and receive updates on performance and strategy. Think of it as an annual town hall for owners: it matters to investors because outcomes and disclosures can affect leadership, corporate direction, dividend and governance policies, and therefore the company’s risk and potential return.
Understanding 8-K Material Events →
WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE INC /DE/5/7/20260000110471falseMay 7, 202600001104712026-05-072026-05-07

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): May 13, 2026 (May 7, 2026)
________________________________________________  
WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware001-0602438-1185150
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)		(Commission File Number)(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
9341 Courtland Drive N.E.,Rockford,Michigan49351
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (616) 866-5500
________________________________________________

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 classTrading symbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1 Par ValueWWWNew 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 5.07
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
On May 7, 2026, the Company held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”). The Company’s shareholders voted upon four proposals at the Annual Meeting and the final results of the shareholder vote on each proposal were as follows:

Proposal 1: Election of Directors for Terms Expiring in 2029

The shareholders elected four candidates nominated by the Board of Directors to serve as directors of the Company for three-year terms expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2029 or until their respective successors, if any, have been elected and qualified. The following sets forth the results of the voting with respect to each candidate:
Candidate
For
Against
Abstentions
Broker Non-Votes
Cheryl Abel-Hodges
71,313,385
223,705
161,472
5,300,474
William K. Gerber
69,438,539
2,098,329
161,694
5,300,474
Nicholas T. Long
68,914,931
2,622,294
161,337
5,300,474
Kathleen Wilson-Thompson
70,393,564
1,131,725
173,273
5,300,474

Proposal 2: Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation

The shareholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table, and the related compensation tables, notes, and narrative in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting. The following sets forth the results of the voting with respect to this proposal:

For
Against
Abstentions
Broker Non-Votes
69,069,775
2,434,949
193,838
5,300,474

Proposal 3: Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal Year 2026

The shareholders ratified the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026. The following sets forth the results of the voting with respect to this proposal:

For
Against
Abstentions
74,640,247
2,194,145
164,644

The proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP was a routine matter and, therefore, there were no broker non-votes relating to this matter.

Proposal 4: Shareholder Proposal Regarding New Climate Change Policies or Practices

The shareholders rejected the shareholder proposal regarding new climate change policies or practices. The following sets forth the results of the voting with respect to this proposal:

For
Against
Abstentions
Broker Non-Votes
7,440,753
62,995,443
1,262,366
5,300,474
2

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.

Dated: May 13, 2026
WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
(Registrant)
  
  
 /s/ David A. Latchana
 David A. Latchana
 Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary


3

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What did Wolverine World Wide (WWW) shareholders decide at the 2026 annual meeting?

Shareholders elected four directors to terms expiring in 2029, approved executive compensation on an advisory basis, ratified Ernst & Young LLP as auditor for fiscal 2026, and rejected a shareholder proposal seeking new climate change policies or practices.

Were Wolverine World Wide’s executive pay practices approved by shareholders in 2026?

Yes. Executive compensation was approved on an advisory basis, with 69,069,775 votes for, 2,434,949 against, and 193,838 abstentions. This vote covered the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Summary Compensation Table, and related disclosures in the proxy materials.

Which directors were elected at Wolverine World Wide’s 2026 shareholder meeting?

Shareholders elected Cheryl Abel-Hodges, William K. Gerber, Nicholas T. Long, and Kathleen Wilson-Thompson. Each received over 68.9 million votes in favor and will serve three-year terms expiring at the 2029 annual meeting, or until their successors are elected and qualified.

Did Wolverine World Wide (WWW) shareholders ratify the company’s auditor for fiscal 2026?

Yes. Shareholders ratified Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026, with 74,640,247 votes for, 2,194,145 against, and 164,644 abstentions. This auditor ratification proposal generated no broker non-votes because it was considered routine.

How did Wolverine World Wide shareholders vote on the climate change proposal in 2026?

Shareholders rejected the climate change-related shareholder proposal. It received 7,440,753 votes for and 62,995,443 against, with 1,262,366 abstentions and 5,300,474 broker non-votes, indicating limited support relative to total shares represented at the meeting.

When and where was Wolverine World Wide’s 2026 Annual Meeting held?

The 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on May 7, 2026. The company’s principal executive offices are located at 9341 Courtland Drive N.E., Rockford, Michigan 49351, which is the address listed in connection with the meeting-related disclosure.

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