---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000107140-26-000028"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WLY"
cik: "0000107140"
company_name: "JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC."
filed_at: "2026-05-06T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-14T22:28:05.254316+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Wiley appoints Jessica Kowalski as EVP & GM Research, effective May 11; Jay Flynn departs

## Summary
- Jay Flynn, EVP and GM Research & Learning, departs without cause; eligible for separation benefits per prior agreements.
- Jessica Kowalski appointed EVP & GM Research effective May 11, 2026; she joins from Microsoft.
- Kowalski brings experience from Microsoft, AWS, and RELX; tasked with accelerating AI-enabled research publishing.
- Appointment follows naming of Armughan Rafat as Chief AI and Data Services Officer; part of leadership build-up.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000107140-26-000028
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WLY
- cik: 0000107140
- company_name: JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
- filed_at: 2026-05-06T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/107140/000010714026000028/0000107140-26-000028-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/107140/000010714026000028/jwa-20260506.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000107140-26-000028
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000107140-26-000028.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000107140-26-000028.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Jessica Kowalski was appointed as Executive Vice President and General Manager, Research at JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Executive Vice President and General Manager, Research
  source text: announcing the departure of Jay Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Research and Learning, and the appointment of Jessica Kowalski, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Research, effective May 11, 2026.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/107140/000010714026000028/0000107140-26-000028-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jay Flynn departed as Executive Vice President and General Manager, Research and Learning at JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC..
  - Action: departed
  - Role: Executive Vice President and General Manager, Research and Learning
  source text: announcing the departure of Jay Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Research and Learning, and the appointment of Jessica Kowalski, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Research, effective May 11, 2026.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/107140/000010714026000028/0000107140-26-000028-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.