---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-25-037260"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "GERN"
cik: "0000886744"
company_name: "GERON CORP"
filed_at: "2025-03-11T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-25T00:30:08.085053+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Geron CEO and Chairman John A. Scarlett departs; Dawn C. Bir named Interim CEO

## Summary
- John A. Scarlett, M.D. concluded service as President, CEO and Chairman effective March 10, 2025; resigned from Board.
- Scarlett remains employed through March 31, 2025 for transition; eligible for severance benefits per prior agreement.
- Dawn C. Bir, current Board member since March 2019, appointed Interim President and CEO while permanent search underway.
- Elizabeth G. O'Farrell, Lead Independent Director, appointed Chair of the Board effective March 10, 2025.
- No compensatory arrangements established for Bir in connection with appointment; details to be filed if any.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-25-037260
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: GERN
- cik: 0000886744
- company_name: GERON CORP
- filed_at: 2025-03-11T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017025037260/0000950170-25-037260-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017025037260/gern-20250310.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-037260
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-037260.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-037260.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Dawn C. Bir was appointed as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer at GERON CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Also, effective March 10, 2025, Dawn C. Bir, a current member of the Board, was appointed as the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Geron to serve in such capacity while the Company conducts a search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017025037260/0000950170-25-037260-index.htm
- Executive change
  Elizabeth G. O'Farrell was appointed as Chair of the Board at GERON CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chair of the Board
  source text: In addition, effective March 10, 2025, Ms. Elizabeth G. O'Farrell, currently the Lead Independent Director of the Board, was appointed Chair of the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886744/000095017025037260/0000950170-25-037260-index.htm

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