---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-24-038750"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WATT"
cik: "0001575793"
company_name: "Energous Corp"
filed_at: "2024-03-26T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-04T07:51:51.086480+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Energous CEO Cesar Johnston steps down; Mallorie Burak named interim principal executive officer

## Summary
- Cesar Johnston no longer President & CEO effective March 24, 2024; remains on Board of Directors.
- Board initiated search for permanent CEO; CFO Mallorie Burak appointed interim principal executive officer.
- Burak receives $75,000 special bonus for dual CFO and principal executive officer role.
- Office of the Chair established, composed of Chair Reynette Au and Burak, overseeing strategic planning.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-24-038750
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WATT
- cik: 0001575793
- company_name: Energous Corp
- filed_at: 2024-03-26T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1575793/000110465924038750/0001104659-24-038750-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1575793/000110465924038750/tm249789d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-24-038750
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-24-038750.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-24-038750.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Mallorie Burak was appointed as interim principal executive officer at Energous Corp.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: interim principal executive officer
  source text: As of the Effective Date, the Board appointed Mallorie Burak, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, to also serve as interim principal executive officer until the appointment of a permanent replacement chief executive officer for the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1575793/000110465924038750/0001104659-24-038750-index.htm
- Executive change
  Cesar Johnston resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer at Energous Corp.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Effective March 24, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), Cesar Johnston is no longer serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Energous Corporation (the “Company”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1575793/000110465924038750/0001104659-24-038750-index.htm

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