---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001319947-23-000021"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "DBI"
cik: "0001319947"
company_name: "Designer Brands Inc."
filed_at: "2023-04-27T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-16T08:31:54.182727+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.25
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.25
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Designer Brands reclassifies directors to align CEO Howe's term with 2023 annual meeting

## Summary
- Tami Fersko and Doug Howe resigned and were re-elected to switch director classes; Howe now Class I, term expires at 2023 annual meeting.
- Non-employee director compensation increased: annual Board retainer to $90k (from $75k), equity grant to $150k (from $140k), chair retainers +$5k.
- Howe as CEO receives no additional director compensation; Fersko continues on Audit and Nominating committees.
- Board remains divided as evenly as possible among three classes following the reclassification.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001319947-23-000021
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: DBI
- cik: 0001319947
- company_name: Designer Brands Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-04-27T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.25
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.25
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1319947/000131994723000021/0001319947-23-000021-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1319947/000131994723000021/dbi-20230426.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001319947-23-000021
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001319947-23-000021.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001319947-23-000021.txt

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