---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001319947-26-000009"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "DBI"
cik: "0001319947"
company_name: "Designer Brands Inc."
filed_at: "2026-02-11T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T03:14:32.202791+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Designer Brands appoints Sheamus Toal as CFO effective Feb 16, 2026

## Summary
- Toal succeeds Mark Haley, who returns to SVP Controller and Principal Accounting Officer.
- Compensation: $750k base salary, 75% target bonus, $1.5M equity award (50% PSUs, 50% RSUs).
- Toal previously CFO/COO at The Children's Place and CEO of New York & Company.
- Toal will receive severance benefits under an Executive Agreement, including 12-month salary continuation.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001319947-26-000009
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: DBI
- cik: 0001319947
- company_name: Designer Brands Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-02-11T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- 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/1319947/000131994726000009/0001319947-26-000009-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1319947/000131994726000009/dbi-20260206.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001319947-26-000009
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001319947-26-000009.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001319947-26-000009.txt

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