---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001517022-23-000017"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AKBA"
cik: "0001517022"
company_name: "Akebia Therapeutics, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-06-13T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-14T02:01:21.834986+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CFO David Spellman resigns; Ellen Snow appointed as new CFO effective July 17, 2023

## Summary
- David Spellman resigns as CFO, effective June 23, 2023; will receive 12 months base salary continuation and COBRA reimbursement.
- Ellen Snow appointed SVP, CFO, Treasurer effective July 17, 2023; base salary $450k, bonus 45% target, equity grants (560k options, 370k RSUs).
- CEO John Butler serves as interim principal financial officer from June 23 to July 17, 2023.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001517022-23-000017
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AKBA
- cik: 0001517022
- company_name: Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-06-13T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000151702223000017/0001517022-23-000017-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000151702223000017/akba-20230609.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001517022-23-000017
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001517022-23-000017.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001517022-23-000017.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  John Butler changed role as interim principal financial officer and principal accounting officer at Akebia Therapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: designated as interim
  - Role: interim principal financial officer and principal accounting officer
  source text: John Butler, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will act as interim principal financial officer and principal accounting officer from the Transition Date until the Effective Date.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000151702223000017/0001517022-23-000017-index.htm
- Executive change
  Ellen Snow was appointed as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer at Akebia Therapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer
  source text: On June 12, 2023 , the Company announced that Ellen Snow will succeed Mr. Spellman as the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, effective July 17, 2023 (the “Effective Date”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000151702223000017/0001517022-23-000017-index.htm
- Executive change
  David A. Spellman resigned as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer at Akebia Therapeutics, Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer
  source text: On June 9, 2023, David A. Spellman, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”), notified the Company of his intent to resign.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1517022/000151702223000017/0001517022-23-000017-index.htm

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