---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-22-150883"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ZNTL"
cik: "0001725160"
company_name: "Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc."
filed_at: "2022-05-16T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-25T15:07:03.920459+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Zentalis CEO Anthony Sun resigns; Kimberly Blackwell appointed as CEO effective May 16

## Summary
- Anthony Y. Sun resigned as President, CEO and Chairman effective May 10; Kevin Bunker appointed interim PEO.
- Kimberly Blackwell appointed President and CEO effective ~May 16; David Johnson named Chairman.
- Blackwell receives $680k base salary, 60% target bonus, $250k sign-on bonus (pro-rated clawback within 1 year).
- Equity grants: option for 3.0% of outstanding shares (4-yr vest) and 0.75% (vests on FDA approval of a product or change in control).
- Sun receives severance: 18 months base salary plus prorated 2022 target bonus, continued vesting of equity up to Feb 2025.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-22-150883
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ZNTL
- cik: 0001725160
- company_name: Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- filed_at: 2022-05-16T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725160/000119312522150883/0001193125-22-150883-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725160/000119312522150883/d361453d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-150883
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-150883.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-150883.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Kimberly Blackwell was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Board appointed Kimberly Blackwell, M.D., a current member of the Board, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and designated Dr. Blackwell as the Company’s principal executive officer, in each case effective as of the commencement of Dr. Blackwell’s employment with the Company, which is expected to be on or about May 16, 2022
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725160/000119312522150883/0001193125-22-150883-index.htm
- Executive change
  Kevin M. Bunker was appointed as Principal Executive Officer (Interim) at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc..
  - Action: designated as interim principal executive officer
  - Role: Principal Executive Officer (Interim)
  source text: the Board designated Kevin M. Bunker, Ph.D., the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, as the Company’s principal executive officer on an interim basis
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725160/000119312522150883/0001193125-22-150883-index.htm
- Executive change
  David M. Johnson was appointed as Chairman of the Board at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chairman of the Board
  source text: appointed David M. Johnson as Chairman of the Board, in each case effective as of the Resignation Effective Time
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725160/000119312522150883/0001193125-22-150883-index.htm
- Executive change
  Anthony Y. Sun resigned as Chairman of the Board at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chairman of the Board
  source text: On May 10, 2022, Anthony Y. Sun, M.D., notified Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) of his resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), effective as of 11:59 p.m. on May 10, 2022
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725160/000119312522150883/0001193125-22-150883-index.htm
- Executive change
  Anthony Y. Sun resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On May 10, 2022, Anthony Y. Sun, M.D., notified Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) of his resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), effective as of 11:59 p.m. on May 10, 2022
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1725160/000119312522150883/0001193125-22-150883-index.htm

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