---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001628280-25-056529"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WAL"
cik: "0001212545"
company_name: "WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION"
filed_at: "2025-12-11T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T13:28:08.017670+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Western Alliance appoints two new directors with risk and cybersecurity expertise

## Summary
- Dr. Michael Papay (former Amex tech risk head) and Clarke Starnes III (ex-Truist CRO) join board effective Dec 10, 2025.
- Board expanded to 15; Papay appointed to Audit and Risk Committees, Starnes to Finance/Investment and Risk Committees.
- Appointments come as WAL nears $100B asset threshold, preparing to become a Large Financial Institution.
- Both will serve until the 2026 annual meeting and receive standard non-employee director compensation.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001628280-25-056529
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WAL
- cik: 0001212545
- company_name: WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION
- filed_at: 2025-12-11T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1212545/000162828025056529/0001628280-25-056529-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1212545/000162828025056529/wal-20251210.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-25-056529
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-25-056529.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-25-056529.txt

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