---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001060822-25-000076"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CRI"
cik: "0001060822"
company_name: "CARTERS INC"
filed_at: "2025-03-26T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-24T04:43:14.044645+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Carter's appoints Douglas Palladini as CEO effective April 3, 2025

## Summary
- Douglas C. Palladini appointed CEO and President, effective April 3, 2025; joins Board of Directors.
- Palladini was Global Brand President of Vans, doubling revenue to $4.2B; focus on brand and DTC.
- Compensation: base salary $1.2M, target cash incentive 150%, sign-on equity $7M with performance-based RSUs.
- Sign-on equity: 50% time-based RSUs vesting over 4 years, 50% performance-based with 30%/60%/90% growth hurdles over 3 years.
- Richard F. Westenberger steps down as Interim CEO but remains as Senior EVP, CFO & COO.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001060822-25-000076
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CRI
- cik: 0001060822
- company_name: CARTERS INC
- filed_at: 2025-03-26T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1060822/000106082225000076/0001060822-25-000076-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1060822/000106082225000076/cri-20250326.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001060822-25-000076
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001060822-25-000076.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001060822-25-000076.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Richard F. Westenberger changed role as Interim Chief Executive Officer at CARTERS INC.
  - Action: ceased serving as Interim Chief Executive Officer
  - Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On the Effective Date, Richard F. Westenberger, currently serving as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, will no longer serve in that capacity but will continue with the Company as its Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1060822/000106082225000076/0001060822-25-000076-index.htm
- Executive change
  Douglas C. Palladini was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President at CARTERS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer and President
  source text: the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) approved the appointment of Douglas C. Palladini as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and a member of the Board, effective April 3, 2025
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1060822/000106082225000076/0001060822-25-000076-index.htm

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