---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-24-197821"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AXGN"
cik: "0000805928"
company_name: "Axogen, Inc."
filed_at: "2024-08-09T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-31T10:36:49.809843+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Axogen appoints Michael Dale as CEO; Karen Zaderej steps down, remains advisory

## Summary
- Michael Dale becomes CEO, President, and Director effective August 9, 2024; Karen Zaderej exits CEO role.
- Paul Thomas appointed Chair of the Board, effective August 9, 2024; he joined the Board in 2020.
- Dale receives $765k base salary, 100% target bonus, and 600,000 PSUs tied to stock price goals and Avance Nerve Graft BLA approval.
- Dale has 30+ years med device experience, most recently President of structural heart at Abbott (NYSE: ABT).
- Zaderej remains in advisory role for nine months under a previously disclosed Transition and Separation Agreement.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-24-197821
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AXGN
- cik: 0000805928
- company_name: Axogen, Inc.
- filed_at: 2024-08-09T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/805928/000119312524197821/0001193125-24-197821-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/805928/000119312524197821/d831362d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-197821
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-197821.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-197821.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Michael Dale was appointed as Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director at Axogen, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director
  source text: On August 8, 2024, Axogen, Inc. (the “Company”), announced the appointment of Michael Dale as its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and President, effective August 9, 2024 (the “Effective Date”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/805928/000119312524197821/0001193125-24-197821-index.htm

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