---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-25-094212"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SMA"
cik: "0001585389"
company_name: "SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc."
filed_at: "2025-07-07T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-18T09:16:47.020193+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.3
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# SmartStop Self Storage REIT adds new independent director Lora Gotcheva, director Paula Mathews retires

## Summary
- Paula Mathews retired from Board effective June 30, 2025; resignation not due to any disagreement.
- Compensation Committee approved accelerated vesting of 12,412 LTIP units worth ~$450,000 for Mathews.
- Lora Gotcheva appointed as independent director effective July 10, 2025; serves on Audit and Compensation Committees.
- Gotcheva has over 25 years financial experience, most recently Managing Director at CPP Investments.
- Gotcheva receives pro-rated cash retainers ($65k board, $10k audit, $7.5k comp) plus initial equity award of $100k.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-25-094212
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SMA
- cik: 0001585389
- company_name: SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.
- filed_at: 2025-07-07T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.3
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1585389/000095017025094212/0000950170-25-094212-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1585389/000095017025094212/ck0001585389-20250630.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-094212
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-094212.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-094212.txt

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