---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001628280-23-039318"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SLM"
cik: "0001032033"
company_name: "SLM Corp"
filed_at: "2023-11-16T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-08T00:47:01.814031+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.45
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.45
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# SLM Corp appoints three new directors; three incumbents to retire in 2024

## Summary
- Appointed Dr. Janaki Akella (ex-Google), Christopher Leech (ex-McKinsey), Shannon Watkins (Nike) to board effective Jan 2, 2024.
- Board increased from 12 to 15 for new appointments; will revert to 12 after three incumbents leave in 2024.
- Directors Paul Child, Marianne Keler, and Robert Strong will not seek re-election in 2024; retirement/personal reasons.
- New directors receive prorated compensation but no annual equity award; no material transactions disclosed.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001628280-23-039318
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SLM
- cik: 0001032033
- company_name: SLM Corp
- filed_at: 2023-11-16T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.45
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.45
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1032033/000162828023039318/0001628280-23-039318-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1032033/000162828023039318/slm-20231113.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-23-039318
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-23-039318.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-23-039318.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Paul G. Child departed as director at SLM Corp.
  - Action: will not stand for re-election
  - Role: director
  source text: On November 13, 2023, Paul G. Child, Marianne M. Keler, and Robert S. Strong, each a director of the Company and the Bank, notified the Company they will not stand for re-election to the Company’s Board at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1032033/000162828023039318/0001628280-23-039318-index.htm
- Executive change
  Shannon Watkins was appointed as director at SLM Corp.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: director
  source text: On November 15, 2023, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of SLM Corporation (the “Company”) appointed Dr. Janaki Akella, Christopher T. Leech, and Shannon Watkins as directors of the Company, effective January 2, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1032033/000162828023039318/0001628280-23-039318-index.htm
- Executive change
  Marianne M. Keler departed as director at SLM Corp.
  - Action: will not stand for re-election
  - Role: director
  source text: On November 13, 2023, Paul G. Child, Marianne M. Keler, and Robert S. Strong, each a director of the Company and the Bank, notified the Company they will not stand for re-election to the Company’s Board at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1032033/000162828023039318/0001628280-23-039318-index.htm
- Executive change
  Dr. Janaki Akella was appointed as director at SLM Corp.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: director
  source text: On November 15, 2023, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of SLM Corporation (the “Company”) appointed Dr. Janaki Akella, Christopher T. Leech, and Shannon Watkins as directors of the Company, effective January 2, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1032033/000162828023039318/0001628280-23-039318-index.htm
- Executive change
  Christopher T. Leech was appointed as director at SLM Corp.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: director
  source text: On November 15, 2023, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of SLM Corporation (the “Company”) appointed Dr. Janaki Akella, Christopher T. Leech, and Shannon Watkins as directors of the Company, effective January 2, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1032033/000162828023039318/0001628280-23-039318-index.htm
- Executive change
  Robert S. Strong departed as director at SLM Corp.
  - Action: will not stand for re-election
  - Role: director
  source text: On November 13, 2023, Paul G. Child, Marianne M. Keler, and Robert S. Strong, each a director of the Company and the Bank, notified the Company they will not stand for re-election to the Company’s Board at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1032033/000162828023039318/0001628280-23-039318-index.htm

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