UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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| o | Definitive Additional Materials |
| o | Soliciting Material under §240.14a‑12 |
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| 2U, INC. |
| (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
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| Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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Notice of 2020 Annual2021
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
and Proxy Statement
Tuesday,Thursday, June 23, 20203, 2021 — 3:00 P.M., Eastern timeTime
Online only at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2021
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2020
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| “I sit here today steadfast and confident in our collective resilience and strength.” |
April 30, 202019, 2021
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
I am pleased to invite you to attend our 20202021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held virtually on June 23, 20203, 2021 at 3:00 p.m., Eastern time. The Annual Meeting will be held virtually via live webcast at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2020.Time. You will not be able tocan attend the Annual Meeting in person. Youby visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2021, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote and submit your questions at the website listed above during the Annual Meeting.online.
Details regarding the Annual Meeting and the various matters to be acted upon during the Annual Meeting are described in the accompanying Notice of 20202021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the proxy statement.
We have elected to provide our proxy materials over the Internet under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “notice and access” rules. We will send stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) with instructions for accessing the proxy materials, including our proxy statement and Annual Report to Stockholders and a list of the matters to be considered at the meeting,meeting. The Notice will also provide instructions on how to vote your shares and for voting your shares.how to request a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail.
You can ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting by promptly voting over the Internet, voting by telephone or by completing and mailing a proxy or voting card if you receive printed proxy materials. If you hold shares through a broker or other nominee in “street name,” you will need to follow the voting instructions provided by your broker or nominee.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of 2U, Inc., I would like to express our appreciation for your ownership and continued support of 2U, Inc. We look forward to speaking with you at the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
CHRISTOPHER “CHIP” PAUCEK
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Notice of 2021 annual meeting
of stockholders.
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| Sincerely, |
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Date & Time June 3, 2021 (Thursday) 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) | Christopher “Chip” Paucek
Co‑Founder & Chief Executive OfficerLocation
Online at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2021 | Who Can Vote Stockholders as of April 9, 2021 are entitled to vote |
2U, INC.
7900 Harkins Road
Lanham, Maryland 20706
NOTICE OF 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 23, 2020
Stockholders of 2U, Inc.:
The 20202021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) of 2U, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held virtually via live webcast at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2020TWOU2021 on June 23, 2020,3, 2021, beginning at 3:00 p.m., Eastern time.Time. You will not be able to attend the meeting in person. You will be able toMeeting online, vote and submit your questions at the website listed above during the meeting.Meeting. We are holding the Annual Meeting for the following purposes, which are more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement:
Voting Matters:
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1.Proposals | For Further Details |
1.To elect four Class IIII directors, nominated by the Board of Directors of the Company, to serve on the Board of Directors until the Company’s 20232024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal; |
| removal | Page 12 |
2.To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers | Page 35 |
3.To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 20202021 fiscal year; |
| year | Page 57 |
3.4.To consider a stockholder proposal to elect each director annually, if properly presented at the meeting | To approve, on a non‑binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers; andPage 59 |
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4. | To transact such other business as may properly comeWe will also consider any other business that properly comes before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
We are taking advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow us to furnish proxy materials to you via the Internet. On or about April 30, 2020,19, 2021, we will mail to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”“Notice”) containing instructions on how to access the proxy materials for our Meeting, including our Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ending December 31, 2019.2020. The Notice will also provide instructions on how to vote your shares and how to request a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail.
The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on April 24, 2020 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or at any adjournment thereof.
A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be available for inspection by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Meeting, during regular business hours, for a period of ten days prior to the Meeting, at the Company’s principal place of business at 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706. If our headquarters are closed for health and safety reasons related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during such period,Meeting. To inspect the list, of stockholdersemail our Investor Relations department at investorinfo@2u.com. The list will also be made available for inspection upon request via email to: investorinfo@2u.com subject to our satisfactory verification of stockholder status. Duringduring the Meeting by following the list of stockholders will be made available electronicallyinstructions located at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2020.
The above items of business for the Meeting are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.TWOU2021.
Your vote is important. Please read the proxy statement and the instructions on the proxy card, whetherWhether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, and no matter how many shares you own, please vote your shareshares or submit your proxy promptly in advance of the Meeting by using one of the methods described in the proxy materials. This will help to assure a quorum and to avoid added proxy solicitation costs. Any stockholder attending the annual meetingMeeting may vote by Internetonline during the meeting,Meeting, even if you have already returned a proxy card or voted over the Internet. If you hold shares through a broker or other nominee in “street name,” you should follow the voting instructions provided to you in your materials, which may include the ability to vote using the Internetby such broker or by telephone.other nominee.
You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken by delivering to the Corporate SecretaryBy Order of the Company a written revocation or a proxy with a later date or by voting your shares via the Internet during the Meeting, in which case, your prior proxy would be disregarded.Board of Directors,
Christopher “Chip” Paucek
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
April 19, 2021
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Internet www.proxyvote.com | Phone 1-800-690-6903 | Mail Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided |
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders’ Meeting to Be Held on June 03, 2021 June 23, 2020.
This Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and the 20192020 Annual Report are available at: www.proxyvote.com or on our investor relations website at: http://investor.2u.com.investor.2u.com. |
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Table of contents.
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| By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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| Christopher “Chip” Paucek
Co‑Founder & Chief Executive Officer12 |
April 30, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Proxy Statement Summary
statement summary.
The below summary is intended to highlight certain key information contained in this Proxy Statement. As it is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider. We strongly encourage you to read the complete Proxy Statement as well as our 20192020 Annual Report to Stockholders before casting your vote.
Voting matters & board recommendations
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| Proposal | Board Recommendation | Page |
| 1 | Election of four Class I director nominees | FOR each nominee | 12 |
| •Paul A. Maeder •Christopher J. Paucek | •Gregory K. Peters •Robert M. Stavis |
| 2 | Advisory approval of executive compensation | FOR | 35 |
| 3 | Ratification of appointment of KPMG LLP as Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2021 | FOR | 57 |
| 4 | Advisory approval of stockholder proposal to elect each director annually | NONE | 59 |
Financial and business highlights
The Company delivered strong results in 2020, Annual Meetingmarked by significant achievements in revenue growth, margin improvement and progress towards positive free cash flow. These results were driven by higher student demand across our portfolio, operational and marketing efficiencies, and continued investment in launching new in-demand offerings. The events of Stockholders2020 validated the importance of high-quality, digital education. In a challenging operational environment, we continued to build, deliver and support a growing variety of lifelong learning opportunities for students. |
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Date & Time:•Generated $775 million in revenue, up 35% compared to 2019.
| | Tuesday, June 23,•Strengthened our balance sheet,ending 2020 at 3:00 p.m., Eastern time
| Record Date:
Friday, April 24, 2020
with a cash balance of $519 million.
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Place:
Online only at:
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2020•Launched over 100 new offerings,including graduate and undergraduate degrees, boot camps, and short courses.
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Stockholders as•Enrolled 99,000 new students across our suite of the record date are entitled offerings.
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•Provided critical support to vote. Each shareexisting and new university clients, including flexible models to help universities address their reopening plan needs. | | •Added six new university clients, including Michigan State, Ohio State, Amherst, Colgate, Norfolk State, and Stanford. |
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•Delivered operating cash flow of our common stock that you owned on the record date entitles you$29.6 million, a $81.6 million improvement compared to one vote on each matter that is voted on at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.2019. | | •Significantly increased addressablemarket with first undergraduate degree program launches. |
Voting Matters & Board Recommendations
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| Proposal | Board Recommendation | Page |
| 1 | Election of four Class III director nominees • Sallie L. Krawcheck • John M. Larson • Edward S. Macias • Alexis Maybank | FOR each nominee | |
| 2 | Ratification of appointment of KPMG LLP as Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2020 | FOR | |
| 3 | Advisory approval of executive compensation | FOR | |
Significant 2019 Business Highlights
2019 was a year of tremendous progress in positioning the Company for the future of higher educationBoard and the future of society. In 2019, the Company:corporate governance highlights
Delivered full-year revenue growth of 40%.Director nominee matrix.
Made significant investments in new product launches | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Director Nominee | Director Since | Independence | Committee Membership |
Paul A. Maeder, 67 General Partner, Highland Capital Partners | 2010 | | Audit Committee |
Christopher J. Paucek, 50 Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, 2U, Inc. | 2012 | — | None |
Gregory K. Peters, 50 Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer, Netflix, Inc. | 2018 | | Audit Committee |
Robert M. Stavis, 58 Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners | 2011 | | Audit Committee |
Board snapshot.
Diversity and product lines, which resulted in a short-term increase in losses in order to drive future growthindependence
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| GENDER DIVERSITY | RACIAL / ETHNIC DIVERSITY | INDEPENDENCE | AGE | TENURE |
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Qualifications and solidify its leadership position long-term.experience
Added the boot camp product line and doubled its partner base through the acquisition of Trilogy Education Services, Inc. (“Trilogy”), creating a new entry point on the Career Curriculum Continuum and radically expanding its capabilities to meet demand in STEM disciplines.Launched 17 new graduate programs, enhancing its leadership position in the market by adding offerings across more universities and academic disciplines.
Continued to bolster the senior leadership team to prepare for increased scale, adding decades of experience across our finance, marketing, and product teams.
University demand is increasing and more students are taking blended or fully digital courses than ever before.
The Company is a market leader in helping nonprofit colleges and universities succeed in the digital age and is a trusted partner and brand steward to 73 leading institutions. Our shared success model allows our university clients to launch online offerings without significant financial risk and to focus resources on other core academic or institutional priorities.
The Company builds, delivers, and supports a portfolio of more than 400 digital and in-person educational offerings, including graduate degrees, undergraduate degrees, professional certificates, boot camps, and short courses, across the Career Curriculum Continuum.
Together with its university clients, the Company has positively transformed the lives of more than 215,000 students.
Higher education is a powerful driver of upward social mobility. The Company increases access to high-quality educational offerings.
Our degree offerings in licensure-based disciplines help train the next generation of health care workers across fields including nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and others.
Our boot camps are re-skilling and up-skilling workers to fill the tech-driven jobs of today and tomorrow. These offerings provide access to high quality, in-demand training to underserved populations.
Corporate Governance Highlightsbest practices.
We believe that good corporate governance is important to achieve success and to ensure that we are managed for the long-term benefit of our stockholders. We believe that the following corporate governance policies, guidelines and practices adopted by our Board of Directors (“Board” or “Board of Directors”) reflect many current best practices.practices:
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 All directors with the exception of Mr. Paucek, our Chief Executive Officer, are independent under the Nasdaq rules
| ü We have three standing Board Committees, all of which are comprised solely of independent directors
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ü We have separate Chair and Chief Executive Officer roles
| ü We have a diverse board in terms of gender, race, experience and skills
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ü All directors attended greater than 75% of Board meetings held during 20192020
| ü We have a limit on outside directorships
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ü At least annually, the Board and its Committees conduct a self-evaluation to determine whether they are functioning effectively
| ü We have regular executive sessions of independent directors
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ü Directors have full and free access to management and, as necessary, appropriate independent advisors | |
Results of Last Year’s “Say-on-Pay” Vote
At the Company’s 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company’s advisory vote to approve executive compensation (“say-on-pay vote”) for fiscal year 2018 garnered stockholder support of 34% of the shares present or represented by proxy. We were disappointed in this outcome and, in response, have implemented meaningful changes to our executive compensation practices based on feedback from our stockholders on potential improvements to our executive compensation programs and the Compensation Committee’s consideration of best practices in corporate governance. The Compensation Committee established base salaries and the structure and amount of equity awards for our Named Executive Officers prior to the say-on-pay vote regarding 2018 executive compensation, which took place in June 2019. Consequently, some changes that the Compensation Committee implemented in response to the say-on-pay vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders did not take effect until 2020.
We have three standing Board Committees, all of which are comprised solely of independent directors |
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What we heard | | How we responded |
The special one-time equity grant to our CEO We have a diverse Board in April 2018terms of gender, race and resulting magnitudeethnicity, experience and skills
We have a limit on outside directorships
We have regular executive sessions of his overall 2018independent directors
We perform an annual review of director compensation was not adequately aligned with our pay for performance philosophy.
| | The Compensation Committee did not make any special or off-cycle equity awards to Mr. Paucek in 2019. Mr. Paucek’s total annual compensation in 2019 (as reported in the Summary Compensation Table) increased less than 0.5% over his total annual compensation for 2018 (as reported in the Summary Compensation Table not including the special one-time equity grant made in April 2018).
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Named Executive Officer compensation structure should have performance-based components to incentivize Company performance and align the interests of our top executives with those of our stockholders. | | The Compensation Committee introduced a relative total stockholder return metric to our long-term equity compensation program for our Named Executive Officers. As a result of this increased focus on performance-based metrics, in 2019 approximately 88% of total target compensation was variable, or “at-risk”, on average, for our Named Executive Officers and in 2020, we expect that approximately 90% of total target compensation will be at-risk.
We adhered to our pre-established metrics under our bonus program and did not make any payouts to Named Executive Officers under our 2019 bonus plan, which was based on achievement of revenue and adjusted EBITDA targets, when Company performance fell below threshold performance levels.against peers
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The Company does not have stock ownership guidelines or a clawback policy that would serve to further mitigate risk and align executive interests with those of our stockholders.
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• stock ownership guidelines for all of our Named Executive Officers and non-employee directors; and
• a clawback policy that applies to all executive officers and allows the Company to recoup cash and equity incentive compensation in the event of a financial restatement due to material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirement.
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Executive Compensation Highlights
SummaryPlease see the section entitled “Corporate Governance and Board Matters” of this Proxy Statement for a more detailed description of our 2019 Board structure and governance practices.
Executive Compensation Programcompensation highlights
2020 executive compensation program.
Our Compensation Committee designs our executive compensation programs with the goal of attracting, retaining and motivating talented executives, while simultaneously promoting the achievement of key financial and strategic performance measures by linking a portion of executive compensation to the achievement of measurable corporate performance goals, and thereby aligning the incentives of our executives with the creation of value for our stockholders.
Below, we summarize those For 2020, our Compensation Committee introduced meaningful changes to our executive compensation program based on feedback from stockholders and the consideration of best practices we have implemented to help drive executive performance, as well as practices we have chosen not to implement because we believe such practices do not supportin corporate governance: The overall design of our stockholders’ long-term interests.compensation program for 2020 is summarized below:
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What we do8 | What we don’t do |
ŸEmphasize Pay-for-Performance – Our executive compensation program is designed so that a significant portion of compensation is “at risk” based on Company performance, to align the interests of our executives and stockholders.
| X No Hedging or Pledging – We prohibit our executive officers from engaging in margin, hedging, pledging or other similar transactions in our securities.
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ŸAnnual “Say-on-Pay” Vote – We conduct our “say-on-pay” vote annually to allow our stockholders to provide us with their direct input on our executive compensation program, policies and practices.
| X No Excise Tax Gross-Ups – We do not provide our executive officers with excise tax gross-ups.
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ŸCompensation Recovery (“Clawback”) Policy – The incentive-based compensation paid to our executive officers is subject to an executive compensation recovery, or “clawback” policy, in the event of a financial restatement due to material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirement.
| X Limited Perquisites – We provide limited perquisites or other personal benefits to our Named Executive Officers.
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ŸIndependent Compensation Consultant – Our Compensation Committee has retained a compensation consultant to serve as its independent advisor. The compensation consultant reports directly to our Compensation Committee and provides the Compensation Committee with competitive market data and additional information needed to make informed compensation decisions.
| X No Special Welfare or Health Benefits – Our Named Executive Officers participate in broad-based company-sponsored health and welfare benefit programs on the same basis as our other full-time, salaried employees.
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ŸUse Double-Trigger Change in Control Provisions – Our time-based equity awards contain a “double-trigger” payment provision in connection with a change in control, that is, accelerated vesting in connection with a change in control generally requires both a change-in-control of the Company and an involuntary termination of employment.
| X No Guaranteed Compensation Increases – We do not provide automatic or pre-scheduled increases in base salary for Named Executive Officers.
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ŸAnnual Executive Compensation Review – The Compensation Committee conducts an annual review and approval of our compensation strategy, including a review and determination of our compensation peer group used for comparative purposes.
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ŸAvoid Undue Risk-Taking – Our compensation policies and practices are designed to discourage our executive officers from taking on or creating risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect.
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ŸStock Ownership Guidelines – All of our Named Executive Officers and non-employee directors are required to, within 5 years from becoming subject to the guidelines, own shares of our common stock having an aggregate value at least equal to (i) 3 times annual base salary for our CEO, (ii) 2 times annual base salary for our CFO, (iii) 1 times annual base salary for our other Named Executive Officers and (iv) 3 times the annual cash retainer for our non-employee directors.
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2019Key changes for 2021 executive compensation program.
For 2021, we have continued to evolve and enhance our executive compensation programs in response to stockholder feedback and in line with our compensation philosophy. For example, we introduced PRSUs that are eligible to vest based on achievement of financial metrics in order to further align our NEO’s compensation with the Company’s financial objectives. Performance against these financial metrics will be measured over three one-year performance periods, with vesting occurring at the end of the three year period. We also lengthened the performance period for the PRSUs eligible to vest based on the Company’s total stockholder return as compared to companies comprising the Russell 3000 Index to three years in order to align the interests of NEOs and stockholders over a longer period and provide a balance of short- and long-term performance measurement periods.
2020 CEO Total Direct Compensation Pay Mixtotal direct compensation pay mix.
The Compensation Committee evaluates our executive compensation program annually to ensure it is consistent with our short-termshort- and long-term goals given the dynamic nature of our business and the market in which we compete. In evaluating Mr. Paucek’s compensation, the Compensation Committee evaluates total direct compensation, which is generally comprised of a mix of cash compensation, in the form of base salary and annual cash incentive bonus, and long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity awards. This total direct compensation mix has been designed so that the elements of variable, or “at-risk”, pay such as the annual cash incentive bonus and equity awards, represent a substantial portion of the total direct compensation opportunity awarded to Mr. Paucek. By dedicating a meaningful percentage of Mr. Paucek’s total direct compensation opportunity to these variable “at risk”“at-risk” pay elements, rather than fixed pay elements, like base salary, the Compensation Committee believes that we are able to better link Mr. Paucek’s compensation with the Company’s performance.
The following chart illustrates the breakdown of Mr. Paucek’s target total direct compensation pay mix for 2019 and expected target total direct2020.
Executive compensation pay mix for 2020. As noted, in 2019, Mr. Paucek’s target total direct compensation was approximately 92% variable, or “at-risk”, and, in 2020,best practices.
Below we expect that Mr. Paucek’s target total direct compensation will be approximately 95% variable, or “at-risk” and approximately 72% based on achievement of performance goals.
A Note Regarding COVID-19
Note thatsummarize the 2019 performance and executive compensation arrangements described in this proxy statement werepractices we have implemented to help drive executive performance, as well as practices we have chosen not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Weto implement because we believe such practices do not yet know the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic could havesupport our 2020 financial results, which could affect the decisions and actions taken by the Board and our executives with respect to our 2020 compensation programs.stockholders’ long-term interests.
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What
we
do. | | Emphasize Pay-for-Performance |
| Annual “Say-on-Pay” Vote |
| Compensation Recovery (“Clawback”) Policy |
| Independent Compensation Consultant |
| Use Double-Trigger Change in Control Provisions |
| Annual Executive Compensation Review |
| Avoid Undue Risk-Taking |
| NEO and Director Stock Ownership Guidelines |
| | Limited Perquisites |
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What we don’t do. | | No Hedging or Pledging |
| No Excise Tax Gross-Ups |
| No Special Welfare or Health Benefits |
| No Guaranteed Compensation Increases |
| No Guaranteed Bonuses |
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Please see the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” of this Proxy Statement for a more detailed description of the compensation paid to our CEONEOs in 2020, our compensation philosophy and other named executive officers during fiscal 2019.compensation practices.
ESG highlights
2U, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 23, 2020
INTRODUCTION
The annual meeting of stockholders (the “Meeting”) of 2U, Inc.,We recognize the impact a Delaware corporation (“2U,” “we,” “us,” “our,” orbusiness can have on its surrounding community and environment and believe that an organization has the “Company”), willresponsibility to be held on June 23, 2020, beginning at 3:00 p.m., Eastern time, via a live webcast ongood corporate citizen. We also value our employees and recognize the Internet at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2020. We encourage allcritical roles that they play in the achievement of our stockholders to vote,long-term goals and we hope that the information contained in this document will help you decide how you wish to vote.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Whatoverall success. Below is the purposea summary of the Meeting?
At the Meeting, stockholders will consider and vote on the following matters:
To elect four Class III directors, nominated by the Board, to serve on the Board until the Company’s 2023 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal;
To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2020 fiscal year;
To approve, on a non‑binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers; and
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
These proxy solicitation materials are being sent to our stockholders on or about April 30,certain ESG highlights from 2020.
Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?
We are pleased to take advantage of the SEC rule that allows companies to furnish their proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we have sent our stockholders of record and beneficial owners a notice regarding Internet availability of proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a paper copy may be found in the Notice. In addition, stockholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail on an ongoing basis. A stockholder’s election to receive proxy materials by mail will remain in effect until the stockholder terminates such election.
Why is this Meeting being held virtually?
Due to the travel and community gathering impacts of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), the Company is moving to an online format for the Meeting. In addition, we believe that hosting the Meeting online enables increased attendance and participation from locations around the world, reduces costs and aligns with the Company’s broader sustainability goals. The virtual meeting has been designed to provide the same rights to participate as you would have at an in-person meeting.
How can I get electronic access to the proxy materials?
You can view the proxy materials on the Internet at: www.proxyvote.com. Please have your 16-digit control number available. Your 16-digit control number can be found on your Notice. If you requested and received a paper copy of your proxy materials, your 16-digit control number can be found on your proxy card.
Our proxy materials are also available on our Investor Relations website at: http://investor.2u.com. References to our website in this proxy statement are not intended to function as hyperlinks, and the information contained on our website is not intended to be incorporated into this proxy statement.
Who is entitled to vote at the Meeting?
The Board has determined that those stockholders who are recorded in our record books as owning shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as of the close of business on April 24, 2020, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of the record date, there were 63,958,768 shares issued and outstanding. Your shares may be (1) held directly in your name as the stockholder of record and/or (2) held for you as the beneficial owner through a broker, bank or other nominee. Our common stock is our only class of outstanding voting securities.
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
Many of our stockholders hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
Stockholder of Record
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“AST”), you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us or to vote in person (virtually) at the Meeting.
Beneficial Owner
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and your broker, bank or nominee is considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker on how to vote your shares and are also invited to attend the Meeting. However, because you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person (virtually) at the Meeting unless you obtain a signed proxy from the record holder giving you the right to vote the shares. Your broker, bank or nominee, as the stockholder of record, has enclosed or provided a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the broker, bank or nominee how to vote your shares, or, if permitted by your broker, bank or nominee, you may be able to use the Internet or telephone to provide voting instructions. If you do not provide the stockholder of record with voting instructions, your shares may constitute broker non‑votes. The effect of broker non‑votes is more specifically described in “What vote is required to approve each item?” below.
What do I need to attend the virtual Meeting?
We will be hosting our Meeting via live webcast. Stockholders can attend the Meeting online at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2020. The webcast will begin at 3:00 p.m., Eastern time. We encourage you to access the Meeting prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin at 2:45 p.m., Eastern time, and you should allow approximately 15 minutes for the online check-in procedures. In order to participate in the Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number located on your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Additional rules of conduct regarding the Meeting may be provided during the Meeting.
How can I submit a question at the Meeting?
If you would like to submit a question for the Meeting, you may do so in advance at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2020, or you may type your question into the dialog box provided at any point during the virtual meeting (until the floor is closed to questions).
What if I have technical difficulties or trouble accessing the Meeting?
If you encounter any technical difficulties with accessing the virtual Meeting, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the Meeting website log-in page.
How do I vote?
Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may direct your vote without attending the Meeting. You may vote by granting a proxy or, for shares held in street name, by submitting voting instructions to your broker, bank or nominee.
Please refer to the summary instructions below and those included on your proxy card and in the Notice or, for shares held in street name, the voting instruction card included by your broker, bank or nominee.
Stockholder of Record
If you are a stockholder of record, the Notice instructs you as to how (i) you may access and review all of the proxy materials on the Internet, (ii) you may submit your proxy, and (iii) to receive paper copies of the proxy materials if you wish. No printed materials will be available unless you specifically request them by following the instructions in the “Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials.”
VOTE BY MAIL— You may vote by mail by marking, signing and dating your proxy card and mailing it in the pre-addressed envelope. If the pre‑addressed envelope is missing, please mail your completed proxy card to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. If you provide specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as you instruct, unless you validly revoke your proxy. Broadridge must receive your proxy card no later than June 22, 2020, the day before the Meeting, for your proxy and your vote to be counted. If you sign and return your proxy card but you do not specify how you want to vote your shares, we will vote them “FOR” the election of each of the four Class III directors listed in Proposal One, “FOR” Proposal Two and “FOR” Proposal Three. We do not currently anticipate that any other matters will be presented for action at the Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented for action, the persons named on your proxy will vote your shares on these other matters in their discretion, under the discretionary authority you have granted to them in your proxy.
VOTE BY INTERNET—To vote via the Internet before the Meeting, log on to: www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions on the Notice or proxy card. We permit Internet proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. You must submit your Internet proxy before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on June 22, 2020, the day before the Meeting, for your proxy and your vote to be counted. Please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your Internet access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies. You may also vote during the Meeting at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2020 by using the 16-digit control number on your Notice or proxy card.
VOTE BY TELEPHONE – To vote via telephone call the toll-free number on your Notice or proxy card. Telephone voting is available 24 hours per day until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on June 22, 2020, the day before the meeting.
Beneficial Owner
If you hold shares through a broker, bank or nominee in street name, you will need to follow the voting instructions provided by your broker, bank or nominee. Many brokers, banks or nominees offer the option to vote by the Internet or telephone. The availability of Internet and telephone voting for beneficial owners will depend on the voting process of your broker, bank or other holder of record. Therefore, we recommend that you follow the voting instructions you receive.
If you own shares in street name through a broker, bank or nominee and you do not provide instructions to your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote your shares, your broker, bank or nominee has discretion to vote these shares on certain “routine” matters, including the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, on non‑routine matters, such as the election of directors and the approval, on a non‑binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, your broker must receive voting instructions from you because it does not have discretionary voting power for these proposals. Therefore, it is important that you provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee. So long as the broker has discretion to vote on at least one proposal, these “broker non‑votes” are counted toward establishing a quorum.
Can I change my vote after I submit my proxy or voting instructions?
Yes. If you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record, even after you have submitted your proxy, you may change your vote at any time prior to the close of voting at the Meeting by:
filing with our Corporate Secretary at 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706 a signed, original written notice of revocation dated later than the proxy you submitted;
submitting a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date; or
voting again via the Internet, including during the Meeting.
If you grant a proxy, you are not prevented from attending the Meeting (virtually) and voting via Internet at the Meeting. However, your attendance at the Meeting will not by itself revoke a proxy that you have previously granted; you must vote via Internet at the Meeting to revoke your proxy.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you may revoke your voting instructions by following the instructions provided by your broker, bank or nominee.
All shares that have been properly voted and not revoked will be voted at the Meeting.
Is there a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting?
A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be available for examination by the Company’s stockholders for any purpose germane to the Meeting for a period of ten days prior to the Meeting during regular business hours, at the Company’s principal place of business at 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706. If our headquarters are closed for health and safety reasons related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during such period, the list of stockholders will be made available for inspection upon request via email to: investorinfo@2u.com subject to our satisfactory verification of stockholder status. During the Meeting, the list of stockholders will be made available at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2020.
What constitutes a quorum to transact business at the Meeting?
Before any business may be transacted at the Meeting, a quorum must be present. The presence at the Meeting, in person (virtually) or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote will constitute a quorum. At the close of business on the record date, 63,958,768 shares were issued and outstanding. Proxies received but marked as abstentions and broker non‑votes will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the Meeting for purposes of a quorum.
What is the recommendation of the Board of Directors?
Our Board recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of the four Class III directors, nominated by the Board, to serve on the Board until the Company’s 2023 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal; “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2020 fiscal year and “FOR” the approval, on a non‑binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers.
What vote is required to approve each item?
For each of the proposals, the applicable voting recommendation, and treatment of abstentions and broker-non votes are as follows:
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Voting Item | Voting Standard | Treatment of Abstentions | Treatment of Broker Non-Votes |
1Human Capital | Election of Directors | Plurality of votes cast, with director nominees who receive the greatest number of votes at the Meeting (up to the number of directors to be elected) being elected | N/A | No effectSocietal Impact & Community Involvement |
2•Employees receive tuition reimbursement benefit and access to skills development trainings •Employees receive stipends for home office improvements and Wi-Fi support •Great Place to Work Certification for third consecutive year | Ratification | •Launched scholarship fund to provide technical boot camps to under-represented minorities •Volunteer paid time-off and Company-sponsored “Days of Appointment of KPMG LLP | Majority of votes present or represented by proxy at the Meeting | Same effect as votes “AGAINST” | Not applicable as brokers generally have discretionService”•Regular support to vote uninstructed shares on this proposalregional non-profits aligned with our mission |
3 | Advisory Vote | |
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| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | | Environmental Impact |
•Diverse Board and executive team •Provide comprehensive diversity training •Implemented comprehensive DE&I plan •Named to Approve CompensationBloomberg 2020 Gender-Equality Index | | •Online offerings reduce need for travel, commuting and construction of Named Executive Officersadditional facilities •Several offerings educate students on sustainability matters •Major offices designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by energy efficient design |
| Majority of votes present or represented by proxy at the Meeting | Same effect as votes “AGAINST” | No effect |
A “broker non‑vote” occurs when a broker, bank or other holderPlease see the section entitled “Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Matters” of record holding sharesthis Proxy Statement for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal becausemore detailed description of our corporate responsibility and ESG programs.
Our COVID-19 response
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for businesses, local and national governments, families and individuals. As the pandemic spread globally in 2020, we implemented significant changes to our business that holder does not have discretionary votingwe determined were in the best interest of our employees, university clients, and our local communities.
Employees.
The well-being, both physical and mental, of our employees and their families has been our top priority and we implemented several new programs to support and engage with our employees in these challenging circumstances.
•Early transition to work from home
•Employee surveys to assess wellness and additional support needs
•Access to new wellness resources, including meditation and mental health support
•Stipends for home-office improvements and Wi-Fi access
•Infrastructure support for employees with power for that particular itemsupply obstacles
•Company-wide "Daily Dose of Team Time" call to foster employee engagement and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. If you are a beneficial owner, your broker, bank or other holderconnection
•Virtual versions of record is permittedour annual employee events to vote your shares on “routine” matters even if the record holder does not receive voting instructions from you. Absent instructions from you, the record holder may not vote on any “non‑routine” matter, including the election of directors and the approval, on a non‑binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers. Without your voting instructions, a broker non‑vote will occur.reinforce Company culture
Where can I find the voting results of the Meeting?University clients.
We will announce preliminaryensured the continuity of our business and provided unique solutions to our university clients.
•Immediately shifted our boot camp offerings and other campus-based experiences from physical classrooms to online
•Developed a virtual course production tool called “Studio-in-a Box” which allowed faculty to continue creating high-quality video content from their homes in collaboration with our development teams
•Offered training programs for our university clients' campus-based faculty on best practices for successful online teaching through No Back Row® PRO
•Offered new solutions to provide continuity and support for university clients to conduct classes online, including 2UOS Essential and 2UOS Plus
•Developed a virtual field placement program, which allowed students in clinical graduate programs to fulfill the field placement component of their programs remotely
Our community.
We provided support to our local community and others impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
•In our April “Days of Service” initiative, we raised money to support United Way’s COVID-relief fund
•Together with certain university clients, we started scholarship funds to provide access to our technical boot camps to those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
•We supported the local public schools in Prince George’s County, Maryland by providing our No Back Row® PRO training and Studio-in-a-Box kit to teachers and by funding a scholarship program for graduating seniors
•We provided our No Back Row® PRO training to our U.S.-based community partners to help them continue their work supporting and mentoring young students virtually
Questions and answers about the proxy materials and voting results at
Please see the section entitled “Questions and Answers About the Proxy Materials and Voting” of this Proxy Statement for answers to common questions about the Meeting, and will publicly disclose results invoting, attendance, submitting a Current Report on Form 8‑K within four business days after the date of the Meeting.
Who will count the votes?
A representative from Broadridge Financial Solutions will both tabulate the votes and serve as the inspector of election.
Who will pay for the cost of this proxy solicitation?
We will bear the costs of soliciting proxies. We are soliciting proxies for the Meeting in the following ways:
Our directors, officers and employees may, without additional pay, solicit proxies by telephone or by electronic communication.
We have also retained a third-party proxy consultant, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, to solicit proxies on our behalf for a fee of approximately $25,000.
We will request banks, brokers, nominees, custodians and other fiduciaries who hold shares in street name to forward these proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of those shares, and we will reimburse them the reasonable out‑of‑pocket expenses they incur in doing so.
When are stockholder proposals and director nominations dueproposal for next year’s annual meeting of stockholders?stockholders, and other procedures.
Any proposals that our stockholders wish to have included in our proxy statement and form of proxy for the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a‑8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) must be received by us no later than the close of business on January 1, 2021 and must otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 14a‑8.
For proposals or nominations outside of Rule 14a‑8, the Company’s amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”) provide that, in order for a stockholder to nominate a director or bring a proposal before the stockholders at an annual meeting of the Company other than matters set forth in the Notice of Meeting, such stockholder must have delivered timely prior written notice to the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on March 25, 2021 nor earlier than the close of business on February 23, 2021. In the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 25 days prior to or delayed by more than 25 days after the anniversary of the
preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which the public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Stockholders are also advised to review our Bylaws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations. A copy of the Bylaws can be obtained without charge by written request to the Corporate Secretary, 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706 and is available without charge on the Company’s website at: http://investor.2u.com.
Any proposals or notices should be sent to:
2U, INC.
7900 HARKINS ROAD
LANHAM, MARYLAND 20706
ATTENTION: CORPORATE SECRETARY
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT SHALL UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
Corporate governance and board matters.
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PROPOSAL ONE—
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Proposal one |
| Election of directors |
Pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board is “classified,” which means that it is divided into three classes of directors based on the expiration of their terms. Under the classified board arrangement, directors are elected to terms that expire on the annual meeting date three years following the annual meeting at which they were elected, and the terms are “staggered” so that the terms of approximately one‑thirdone-third of the directors expire each year. We believe having a staggered Board divided by classes is in the best interest of both the Company and its stockholders because it provides for greater stability and continuity on our Board. The Board, upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has nominated the following Class IIII directors to hold office until the 20232024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal: |
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• Sallie L. Krawcheck; | • John | | |
| PAUL A. MAEDER | CHRISTOPHER J. PAUCEK | GREGORY K. PETERS | ROBERT M. Larson;• Edward S. Macias; and
• Alexis Maybank.
STAVIS |
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All nominees currently serve as Class IIII directors of the Company. Each nominee has consented to serve as a director if elected at the Meeting. Should a nominee become unavailable to accept election as a director, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote the shares that such proxy represents for the election of such other person as the Board may nominate. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve. |
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| THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR”“FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE FOUR CLASS IIII DIRECTOR NOMINEES. |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORSMATTERS
The board of directors
Board snapshot.
Our Board currently consists of 12 members.
Set forth below is certain information concerning each nominee for election as a director at the Meeting and each director with terms expiring at the 2021 or 2022 annual meetings of stockholders. |
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| Director Name | Age | Class and Position | Term Expires |
| Paul A. Maeder | 66 | Class I Director and Chair of the Board | 2021 |
| Robert M. Stavis | 57 | Class I Director | 2021 |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 49 | Class I Director | 2021 |
| Gregory K. Peters | 49 | Class I Director | 2021 |
| Timothy M. Haley | 65 | Class II Director | 2022 |
| Valerie B. Jarrett | 63 | Class II Director | 2022 |
| Earl Lewis | 64 | Class II Director | 2022 |
| Coretha M. Rushing | 64 | Class II Director | 2022 |
| Sallie L. Krawcheck | 55 | Class III Director | 2020 |
| John M. Larson | 68 | Class III Director | 2020 |
| Edward S. Macias | 76 | Class III Director | 2020 |
| Alexis Maybank | 45 | Class III Director | 2020 |
Other than our Chief Executive Officer, our Board is comprised of allentirely independent directors. We believe it is essential to have directors representing diversity in many areas, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, background, and professional experience. Our board is 50% ethnic or gender diverse
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| Director Name | Age | Class and Position | Term
Expires | Other Public
Company Board
Service |
Paul A. Maeder | 67 | Class I Director and Chair of the Board | 2021 | — |
Christopher J. Paucek | 50 | Class I Director | 2021 | — |
Gregory K. Peters | 50 | Class I Director | 2021 | 1 |
Robert M. Stavis | 58 | Class I Director | 2021 | — |
| Timothy M. Haley | 66 | Class II Director | 2022 | 2 |
| Valerie B. Jarrett | 64 | Class II Director | 2022 | 3 |
| Earl Lewis | 65 | Class II Director | 2022 | — |
| Coretha M. Rushing | 65 | Class II Director | 2022 | 1 |
| Sallie L. Krawcheck | 56 | Class III Director | 2023 | — |
| John M. Larson | 69 | Class III Director | 2023 | — |
| Edward S. Macias | 77 | Class III Director | 2023 | — |
| Alexis Maybank | 46 | Class III Director | 2023 | — |
Director Nominees
Diversity and we are proud to have been named a “Winning ‘W’” company by 2020 Women on Boards for having a Board comprised at least 20%independence
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| GENDER DIVERSITY | | RACIAL / ETHNIC DIVERSITY | |
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| AGE | | TENURE | |
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| INDEPENDENCE | |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Summary of women.director qualifications and experience
Each of our directors brings to our Board a wealth of varied experience derived from serviceserving as executives, financial experts, subject matter experts, board members and/or industry leaders. They also bring extensive board experience. We have worked hard to ensure diversity of backgrounds and perspectives withinin the board room, which we believe enhances oversight of our business strategy and our corporate governance practices. The table below sets forth a summary of our director’s skills and experience.
BIOGRAPHIES OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Class III—Directors with Terms Expiring in 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Education Industry Provides valuable knowledge of our industry and the university clients we serve | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Finance Expertise / Capital Allocation Provides Board financial skills necessary to inform oversight of financial performance and reporting, internal controls, capital structure and long‑term strategic planning | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Government / Public Policy Provides Board an understanding of the regulatory environment in which we operate | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Enterprise Risk Management Assists Board in overseeing risks facing the Company, including risks related by cybersecurity and data privacy | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Human Capital / Talent Management / Inclusion and Diversity Assists Board in overseeing executive compensation, employee engagement and framework for attraction and development of high‑performing employees | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Technology Assists Board in overseeing our product development strategy and provides insight to management as we seek to enhance the student experience | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sallie L. Krawcheck. Ms. Krawcheck was appointed to our Board as of the initial public offering of the Company’s shares in April 2014. Ms. Krawcheck is the Chief Executive Officer and co‑founder of Ellevest, an investment platform for women that was founded in 2016. Ms. Krawcheck was the President of Global Wealth & Investment Management for Bank of America from August 2009 to September 2011. Prior to joining Bank of America, Ms. Krawcheck held a variety of senior executive positions at Citigroup from 2002 to 2008, including Chief Executive Officer of its Smith Barney division, Chief Financial Officer of Citigroup and Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Citi Global Wealth Management. She served as a director of BlackRock Inc. from 2009 to 2011 and Dell Inc. from 2006 to 2009. Ms. Krawcheck holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. Our Board believes that Ms. Krawcheck’s financial acumen and broad experience serving in leadership roles with financial and investment firms enables her to make valuable contributions to the Board.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
John M. Larson.Directors Mr. Larson has served on our Board since June 2009. Mr. Larson has served as the Executive Chair of Triumph Higher Education Group, Inc., a culinary education company, since 2010. He also has served as President of Triumph Group, Inc., a company that advises and invests in domestic and international education companies, since 2008. Mr. Larson founded and served as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of Career Education Corporation, or CEC, a publicly held post‑secondary education company, from its inception in 1994 through his retirement from the company in 2006, including as Chair of the Board from 2000 to 2006. He became Chair Emeritus of CEC in 2006 and continues to serve in that position. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley. Our Board believes that Mr. Larson’s deep knowledge of the higher education industry and his experience founding and leading a publicly held education company enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board..
Edward S. Macias. Dr. Macias has served on our Board since November 2014. Dr. Macias is currently the Provost Emeritus and Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. Previously, Dr. Macias was the chief academic officer of Washington University in St. Louis for 25 years, before stepping down from his position as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor in June 2013. During his tenure as Provost, Dr. Macias provided leadership in curriculum, budget and capital project development initiatives. Dr. Macias has broad experience and knowledge in higher education administration and innovation in academic settings. Following his tenure as Provost, Dr. Macias was nominated to lead the school’s effort to explore its approach to online education and to leverage advances in education technology to enhance its reach and impact. Dr. Macias currently serves on the boards of Casa de Salud, Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis and the St. Louis Mosaic Project. He is an emeritus member of the boards of Colgate University and Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School. Dr. Macias holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Colgate University and a doctorate in Chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Our Board believes that Dr. Macias’s substantial knowledge of the higher education industry and his vast experience as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis | | | | | |
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| Background: Mr. Maeder has served on our Board since 2010 and as Chair of our Board since November 2012. Mr. Maeder is a General Partner of Highland Capital Partners, a venture capital firm he co‑founded in 1987 and serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Highland Transcend Partners I Corp. He currently serves on the boards of several private companies. Mr. Maeder served as a director of Imprivata, Inc. from February 2002 to July 2016 and of Carbon Black, Inc. from September 2015 to February 2019. He holds a B.S.E. in Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences from Princeton University, an M.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Mr. Maeder’s extensive experience investing in the online higher education and software industries and his experience serving as a board member for numerous companies enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board. |
PAUL A. MAEDER Independent Age:67 Director since: 2010 Committees: Audit |
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| Background: Mr. Paucek is a co‑founder of the Company and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board since 2012. He previously served as our President and Chief Operating Officer from April 2008 through December 2011. Prior to 2U, Mr. Paucek served as the Chief Executive Officer of Smarterville, Inc., the parent company of Hooked on Phonics, from 2007 until 2008. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Paucek served as Vice President of Business Development and President of Educate Products for Educate, Inc. In 2004, Mr. Paucek served as Deputy Campaign Manager for the successful reelection campaign of United States Senator Barbara Mikulski. Mr. Paucek began his career in 1993 by co‑founding Cerebellum Corporation, the media company behind the award‑winning educational Standard Deviants television program and video series, and he led Cerebellum as Co‑Chief Executive Officer until 2003. Mr. Paucek holds a B.A. from The George Washington University and an M.B.A. from the Kenan‑Flagler Business School of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Mr. Paucek’s knowledge of the Company as one of our co‑founders, and his broad experience leading education companies, enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board. |
CHRISTOPHER J. PAUCEK Age:50 Director since: 2012 |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
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| Background: Mr. Peters was appointed to our Board in March 2018. Mr. Peters joined Netflix, Inc. in 2008 and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer, responsible for designing, building and optimizing the customer experience. From 2015 to July 2017, Mr. Peters served as the International Development Officer of Netflix, responsible for global partnerships with consumer electronics companies, Internet service providers and multichannel video program distributors. From July 2013 to 2015, Mr. Peters served as the Chief Streaming and Partnerships Officer of Netflix. Prior to joining Netflix in 2008, Mr. Peters was Senior Vice President of Consumer Electronics Products for Macrovision Solutions Corp. (later renamed Rovi Corporation) and held positions at Mediabolic Inc., Red Hat Network and Wine.com. Mr. Peters currently serves on the board of directors of Highland Transcend Partners I Corp. Mr. Peters holds a B.S. in Physics and Astrophysics from Yale University. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Mr. Peters’ technology and product expertise enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board. Other Current Public Boards: •Highland Transcend Partners I Corp. |
GREGORY K. PETERS Independent Age:50 Director since:2018 Committees:Audit |
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| Background: Mr. Stavis has served on our Board since 2011. Mr. Stavis has been a Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, a venture capital firm, since 2000. He currently serves on the boards of several private companies. Prior to joining Bessemer, Mr. Stavis was an independent private equity investor. Prior to that, he served in various positions at Salomon Smith Barney, including as Co‑Head of Global Arbitrage Trading. Mr. Stavis holds a B.A.S. in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Mr. Stavis’s broad experience investing in the emerging software technology industry and his experience serving as a board member for numerous companies enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board. |
ROBERT M. STAVIS Independent Age: 58 Director since: 2011 Committees: Audit (Chair) |
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| Background: Mr. Haley has served on our Board since 2010. Mr. Haley is a founding partner of Redpoint Ventures, a venture capital firm, and has been a Managing Director of the firm since 1999. Mr. Haley was also the Managing Director of Institutional Venture Partners, a venture capital firm, from 1998 to 2010. From 1986 to 1998, Mr. Haley was the President of Haley Associates, an executive recruiting firm in the high technology industry. Mr. Haley currently serves on the board of directors of Netflix, Inc. and Zuora Inc. Mr. Haley holds a B.A. from Santa Clara University. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Mr. Haley’s broad experience investing in software, consumer Internet and digital media industries, and his experience serving as a board member for numerous companies, enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board. Other Current Public Boards: •Netflix, Inc. •Zuora Inc. |
TIMOTHY M. HALEY Independent Age: 66 Director since: 2010 Committees: Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair) |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
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| Background: Dr. Lewis was appointed to our Board at the time of the initial public offering of the Company’s shares in April 2014. Dr. Lewis, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is the Thomas C. Holt Distinguished Professor of History and AfroAmerican and African Studies and Public Policy at the University of Michigan and founding director of the Center for Social Solutions. From March 2013 to March 2018, Dr. Lewis served as President of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a philanthropic organization committed to advancing higher education, the arts and civil society. From January 2013 to March 2013, he served as President-designate of the Mellon Foundation. Prior to joining the Mellon Foundation, Dr. Lewis served as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Emory University from 2004 to December 2012. He also held a variety of faculty positions at the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Michigan from 1984 through 2004, and served as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs—Graduate Studies and Dean of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan from 1998 to 2004. Dr. Lewis holds a B.A. from Concordia College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Dr. Lewis’s broad experience in academia, both as a faculty member and as an administrator at leading universities, allows him to make valuable contributions to the Board. |
EARL LEWIS Independent Age: 65 Director since: 2014 Committees: Audit |
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| Background: Ms. Rushing has served on our Board since 2016. She currently serves as the President of CR Consulting Alliance LLC and as a Managing Director and Executive Mentor for Merryck & Company, a global executive coaching firm. Ms. Rushing currently serves on the board of directors of Benefitfocus.com, Inc. She also serves as an external Board and HR advisor to several private company boards of directors. From May 2006 to December 2019 she served as Corporate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Equifax Inc. Prior to that, she served as an Executive Coach and HR Consultant with Atlanta-based Cameron Wesley LLC. Prior to joining Cameron Wesley, she was Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer of The Coca-Cola Company, where she was employed from 1996 until 2004. Prior to that, she worked in several senior level positions for Pizza Hut (a division of PepsiCo) and IBM. Ms. Rushing was Chair of the Board for the Society of Human Resource Management until January 2019, an organization of approximately 350,000 global human resource professionals, and currently serves as Board Chair Emeritus. Ms. Rushing holds a B.S. in Industrial Psychology from East Carolina University and an M.S. in Education from The George Washington University. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Ms. Rushing’s broad experience in human resources at leading Fortune 500 companies, enables her to make valuable contributions to the Board. Other Current Public Boards: •Benefitfocus.com, Inc.
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CORETHA M. RUSHING Independent Age: 65 Director since: 2016 Committees: Compensation |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
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| Background: Ms. Jarrett has served on our Board since December 2017. She is an acclaimed civic leader, business executive and attorney. She currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Obama Foundation and Attn: and is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School. Ms. Jarrett currently serves on the boards of directors of Ralph Lauren Corporation, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Lyft, Inc. and several private companies. During the Obama administration, from January 2008 to January 2016, Ms. Jarrett served as Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, where she oversaw the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chaired the White House Council on Women and Girls. Prior to joining the Obama administration, Ms. Jarrett was co-chair of the Obama-Biden transition team. Ms. Jarrett began her career in politics in 1987, working as Deputy Corporation Counsel for Finance and Development in the administration of Mayor Harold Washington in Chicago. She subsequently was Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley and later served as Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development and chaired the Chicago Transit Board. From 1995 until she joined the Obama administration, Ms. Jarrett served in various senior positions, including Chief Executive Officer, of the Habitat Company, a Chicago real estate development and management firm. She has also served on numerous corporate and civic boards, including Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago Medical Center, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago, Chair of the Board of the Chicago Stock Exchange and was a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Ms. Jarrett holds a B.A. from Stanford University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Ms. Jarrett’s broad experience in public policy enables her to make valuable contributions to the Board. Other Current Public Boards: •Ralph Lauren Corporation •Walgreens Boots Alliance •Lyft, Inc. |
VALERIE B. JARRETT Independent Age: 64 Director since: 2017 Committees: Nominating and Corporate Governance |
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| Background: Ms. Krawcheck was appointed to our Board as of the initial public offering of the Company’s shares in April 2014. Ms. Krawcheck is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Ellevest, an investment platform for women that was founded in 2016. Ms. Krawcheck was the President of Global Wealth & Investment Management for Bank of America from August 2009 to September 2011. Prior to joining Bank of America, Ms. Krawcheck held a variety of senior executive positions at Citigroup from 2002 to 2008, including Chief Executive Officer of its Smith Barney division, Chief Financial Officer of Citigroup and Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Citi Global Wealth Management. She served as a director of BlackRock Inc. from 2009 to 2011 and Dell Inc. from 2006 to 2009. Ms. Krawcheck holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Ms. Krawcheck’s financial acumen and broad experience serving in leadership roles with financial and investment firms enables her to make valuable contributions to the Board. |
SALLIE L. KRAWCHECK Independent Age: 56 Director since: 2014 Committees: Nominating and Corporate Governance |
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Alexis Maybank. Ms. Maybank has served on our Board since December 2018. She is an internet entrepreneur and currently serves as a member of the Board of Girls Who Code. Ms. Maybank co‑founded Project September in 2016 and served as its Chief Executive Officer until December 2017. Prior to co‑founding Project September, she co‑founded Gilt Groupe and served as its founding Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2008 and in several other executive roles, including Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Marketing Officer and President of Gilt Home and Kids from 2008 to 2014. Prior to co‑founding Gilt Groupe in 2007, Ms. Maybank was General Manager of eCommerce for AOL Media Networks and served in various senior roles at eBay. Ms. Maybank holds a B.S. from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Our Board believes that Ms. Maybank’s experience in e‑commerce
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
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| Background: Mr. Larson has served on our Board since June 2009. Mr. Larson has served as the Executive Chair of Triumph Higher Education Group, Inc., a culinary education company, since 2010. He also has served as President of Triumph Group, Inc., a company that advises and invests in domestic and international education companies, since 2008. Mr. Larson founded and served as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of Career Education Corporation, or CEC, a publicly held post-secondary education company, from its inception in 1994 through his retirement from the company in 2006, including as Chair of the Board from 2000 to 2006. He became Chair Emeritus of CEC in 2006 and continues to serve in that position. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Mr. Larson’s deep knowledge of the higher education industry and his experience founding and leading a publicly held education company enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board. |
JOHN M. LARSON Independent Age: 69 Director since:2009 Committees: Compensation (Chair) |
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| Background: Dr. Macias has served on our Board since November 2014. Dr. Macias is currently the Provost Emeritus and Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. Previously, Dr. Macias was the chief academic officer of Washington University in St. Louis for 25 years, before stepping down from his position as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor in June 2013. During his tenure as Provost, Dr. Macias provided leadership in curriculum, budget and capital project development initiatives. Dr. Macias has broad experience and knowledge in higher education administration and innovation in academic settings. Following his tenure as Provost, Dr. Macias was nominated to lead the school’s effort to explore its approach to online education and to leverage advances in education technology to enhance its reach and impact. Dr. Macias currently serves on the boards of Casa de Salud, Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis and the St. Louis Mosaic Project. He is an emeritus member of the boards of Colgate University and Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School. Dr. Macias holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Colgate University and a doctorate in Chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Dr. Macias’s substantial knowledge of the higher education industry and his vast experience as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board. |
EDWARD S. MACIAS Independent Age: 77 Director since: 2014 Committees: Nominating and Corporate Governance |
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| Background: Ms. Maybank has served on our Board since December 2018. She is an internet entrepreneur and currently serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Creative Beauty, Inc.From 2016 until December 2017 she served as the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Project September. Prior to co-founding Project September, she co-founded Gilt Groupe and served as its founding Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2008 and in several other executive roles, including Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Marketing Officer and President of Gilt Home and Kids from 2008 to 2014. Prior to co-founding Gilt Groupe in 2007, Ms. Maybank was General Manager of eCommerce for AOL Media Networks and served in various senior roles at eBay. Ms. Maybank holds a B.S. from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Qualifications: Our Board believes that Ms. Maybank’s experience in e-commerce and scaling rapidly growing technology companies enable her to make valuable contributions to the Board. |
ALEXIS MAYBANK Independent Age:46 Director since: 2018 Committees:Compensation |
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Class I—Directors with Terms Expiring at the 2021 Annual Meeting of StockholdersPaul A. Maeder. Mr. Maeder has served on our Board since 2010 and as Chair of our Board since November 2012. Mr. Maeder is a General Partner of Highland Capital Partners, a venture capital firm he co‑founded in 1987. He currently serves on the boards of several private companies. Mr. Maeder served as a director of Imprivata, Inc. from February 2002 to July 2016 and of Carbon Black, Inc. from September 2015 to February 2019. He holds a B.S.E. in Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences from Princeton University, an M.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School. Our Board believes that Mr. Maeder’s broad experience investing in the online higher education
and software industries and his experience serving as a board member for numerous companies enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board.
Robert M. Stavis. Mr. Stavis has served on our Board since 2011. Mr. Stavis has been a Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, a venture capital firm, since 2000. He currently serves on the boards of several private companies. Prior to joining Bessemer, Mr. Stavis was an independent private equity investor. Prior to that, he served in various positions at Salomon Smith Barney, including as Co‑Head of Global Arbitrage Trading. Mr. Stavis holds a B.A.S. in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Our Board believes that Mr. Stavis’s broad experience investing in the emerging software technology industry and his experience serving as a board member for numerous companies enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board.
Christopher J. Paucek. Mr. Paucek is a co‑founder of the Company and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board since 2012. He previously served as our President and Chief Operating Officer from April 2008 through December 2011. Prior to 2U, Mr. Paucek served as the Chief Executive Officer of Smarterville, Inc., the parent company of Hooked on Phonics, from 2007 until 2008. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Paucek served as Vice President of Business Development and President of Educate Products for Educate, Inc. In 2004, Mr. Paucek served as Deputy Campaign Manager for the successful reelection campaign of United States Senator Barbara Mikulski. Mr. Paucek began his career in 1993 by co‑founding Cerebellum Corporation, the media company behind the award‑winning educational Standard Deviants television program and video series, and he led Cerebellum as Co‑Chief Executive Officer until 2003. Mr. Paucek holds a B.A. from The George Washington University and an M.B.A. from the Kenan‑Flagler Business School of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Our Board believes that Mr. Paucek’s knowledge of the Company as one of our co‑founders, and his broad experience leading education companies, enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board.
Gregory K. Peters. Mr. Peters was appointed to our Board in March 2018. Mr. Peters joined Netflix, Inc. in 2008 and currently serves as the Chief Product Officer, responsible for designing, building and optimizing the customer experience. From 2015 to July 2017, Mr. Peters served as the International Development Officer of Netflix, responsible for global partnerships with consumer electronics companies, Internet service providers and multichannel video program distributors. From July 2013 to 2015, Mr. Peters served as the Chief Streaming and Partnerships Officer of Netflix. Prior to joining Netflix in 2008, Mr. Peters was Senior Vice President of Consumer Electronics Products for Macrovision Solutions Corp. (later renamed Rovi Corporation) and held positions at Mediabolic Inc., Red Hat Network and Wine.com. Mr. Peters holds a B.S. in Physics and Astrophysics from Yale University. Our Board believes that Mr. Peters’ technology and product expertise enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board.
Class II—Directors with Terms Expiring at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Timothy M. Haley. Mr. Haley has served on our Board since 2010. Mr. Haley is a founding partner of Redpoint Ventures, a venture capital firm, and has been a Managing Director of the firm since 1999. Mr. Haley was also the Managing Director of Institutional Venture Partners, a venture capital firm, from 1998 to 2010. From 1986 to 1998, Mr. Haley was the President of Haley Associates, an executive recruiting firm in the high technology industry. Mr. Haley currently serves on the board of directors of Netflix, Inc., Zuora Inc., and several private companies. Mr. Haley holds a B.A. from Santa Clara University. Our Board believes that Mr. Haley’s broad experience investing in software, consumer Internet and digital media industries, and his experience serving as a board member for numerous companies, enable him to make valuable contributions to the Board.
Earl Lewis. Dr. Lewis was appointed to our Board at the time of the initial public offering of the Company’s shares in April 2014. Dr. Lewis, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is a Thomas C. Holt Distinguished Professor of History and AfroAmerican and African Studies and Public Policy at the University of Michigan and founding director of the Center for Social Solutions. From March 2013 to March 2018, Dr. Lewis served as President of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a philanthropic organization committed to advancing higher education, the arts and civil society. From January 2013 to March 2013, he served as President‑designate of the Mellon Foundation. Prior to joining the Mellon Foundation, Dr. Lewis served as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Emory University from 2004 to December 2012. He also held a variety of faculty positions at the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Michigan from 1984 through 2004, and served as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs—Graduate Studies and Dean of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan from 1998 to 2004. Dr. Lewis holds a B.A. from Concordia College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Our Board believes that Dr. Lewis’s broad experience in academia, both as a faculty member and as an administrator at leading universities, allows him to make valuable contributions to the Board.
Coretha M. Rushing. Ms. Rushing has served on our Board since 2016. She has been the President of CR Consulting since June 2019. Prior to that, she served as Corporate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Equifax Inc. from May 2006 to December 2019. Prior to joining Equifax, she served as an Executive Coach and HR Consultant with Atlanta‑based Cameron Wesley LLC. Prior to joining Cameron Wesley, she was Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer of The Coca‑Cola Company, where she was employed from 1996 until 2004. Prior to that, she worked in a number of senior level positions in Pizza Hut (a division of PepsiCo) and IBM. She was Chair of the Board for the Society of Human Resource Management until January 2019, an organization of approximately 300,000 global human resource professionals and is currently serving as Chair Emeritus. Ms. Rushing holds a B.S. in Industrial Psychology from East Carolina University and an M.S. in Education from The George Washington University. Our Board believes that Ms. Rushing’s broad experience in human resources at leading Fortune 500 companies, enables her to make valuable contributions to the Board.
Valerie B. Jarrett. Ms. Jarrett has served on our Board since December 2017. She is an acclaimed civic leader, business executive and attorney. She currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Obama Foundation and Attn: and is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School. She also serves as a director on the boards of Ariel Investments and Lyft. During the Obama administration, from January 2008 to January 2016, Ms. Jarrett served as Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, where she oversaw the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chaired the White House Council on Women and Girls. Prior to joining the Obama administration, Ms. Jarret was co‑chair of the Obama‑Biden transition team. Ms. Jarrett began her career in politics in 1987, working as Deputy Corporation Counsel for Finance and Development in the administration of Mayor Harold Washington in Chicago. She subsequently was Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley and later served as Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development and chaired the Chicago Transit Board. From 1995 until she joined the Obama administration, Ms. Jarrett served in various senior positions, including Chief Executive Officer, of the Habitat Company, a Chicago real estate development and management firm. She has also served on numerous corporate and civic boards, including Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago Medical Center, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago, Chair of the Board of the Chicago Stock Exchange and was a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Ms. Jarrett holds a B.A. from Stanford University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Our Board believes that Ms. Jarrett’s broad experience in public policy enables her to make valuable contributions to the Board.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEESMATTERS
Board Purposecomposition and Structurestructure
Board purpose and structure.
The mission of the Board is to provide strategic guidance to the Company’s management, to monitor the performance and ethical behavior of the Company’s management, and to maximize the long‑termlong-term financial return to the Company’s stockholders, while considering and appropriately balancing the interests of other stakeholders and constituencies. The Board is comprised of twelve directors. The authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution approved by a majority of our Board. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one‑thirdone-third of the directors. The division of our Board into three classes with staggered three‑yearthree-year terms may delay or prevent a change in our management or a change of control.
The Board has established standing committees in connection with the discharge of its responsibilities. These committees include an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board has adopted written charters for each of these committees. In January 2019, the Board established a Transaction Committee to assist the Board in its review and consideration of the acquisition of Trilogy in addition to other potential strategic acquisition opportunities.
Board Leadershipleadership.
Our Board currently has an independent Chair, Mr. Maeder, who has the authority, among other things, to call and preside over Board meetings, including meetings of the independent directors, and to set meeting agendas. Accordingly, the Chair of the Board has substantial ability to shape the work of the Board. We believe that separation of the positions of Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer reinforces the independence of the Board in its oversight of the business and affairs of the Company. In addition, we believe that having an independent Chair of the Board creates an environment that is more conducive to objective evaluation and oversight of management’s performance, increasing management accountability and improving the ability of the Board to monitor whether management’s actions are in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. As a result, we believe that having an independent Chair of the Board enhances the effectiveness of the Board as a whole.
Risk Oversight
The Board oversees a company‑wide approach to risk management that is carried out by management. The Board determines the appropriate risk for us generally, assesses the specific risks faced by us and reviews the steps taken by management to manage those risks. While the Board maintains the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, its committees oversee risk in certain specified areas.
Our Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements, and the incentives created by the compensation awards it administers. Our Audit Committee oversees management of enterprise risks, financial risks, and legal and compliance risks, as well as potential conflicts of interest. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks associated with the independence of our Board and the Company’s corporate governance practices.
Management has responsibility for the direct management and oversight of legal, financial, cybersecurity, privacy and commercial compliance matters, which includes identifying areas of risk and implementing policies, procedures and practices to mitigate the identified risks. Management provides regular reports to the Audit Committee concerning financial, tax, legal and compliance related risks and the Company’s experts report to the Board on cybersecurity.
Director Independenceindependence.
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our Board have undertaken a review of the independence of our current directors and considered whether any director has a material relationship with us that could compromise his or hertheir ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his or hertheir responsibilities. As a result of this review, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our Board determined that Messrs. Haley, Larson, Lewis, Macias, Maeder, Peters and Stavis, and Mses. Jarrett, Krawcheck, Maybank and Rushing, representing eleven of our twelve current directors, are “independent directors,” as defined under applicable Nasdaq listing standards and the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee andAs part of the Board apply standards inprocess of affirmatively determining whether a director is “independent,” in compliance with"independent" under applicable Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules. As part of the process in making such determination,rules, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board also determined that none of Messrs. Haley, Larson, Lewis, Macias, Maeder, Peters and Stavis, and Mses. Jarrett, Krawcheck, Maybank, and Rushing have any other “material relationship” with the Company that could interfere with his or hertheir ability to exercise independent judgment.
The Board includes one management director, Mr. Paucek, who is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board have determined that Mr. Paucek is not independent under applicable Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules.
As part of its annual evaluation of director independence, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board examine (among other things) whether any transactions or relationships exist currently (or existed during the past three years) between each independent director and the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates, equity investors, or independent auditors and the nature of those relationships under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board also examine whether there are (or have been within the past year) any transactions or relationships between each independent director and any executive officer of the Company or its affiliates. As a result of this evaluation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board have affirmatively determined that each independent director is independent under those criteria.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Executive sessions of non-management directors.
In order to promote discussion among the non-management directors, the Board Meetings and Attendance
During 2019, including both regularly scheduled and specialholds executive sessions (i.e., meetings ourof non-management directors without management present) to review such topics as the non-management directors determine. Mr. Maeder presides as Chair during the executive sessions of the Board. The non-management directors of the Board met a totalin executive session 4 times during 2020.
Committees of eight times, the board of directors.
The Board has established standing committees in connection with the discharge of its responsibilities. These committees include an Audit Committee, met a total of eight times, the Compensation Committee metand a total of six times, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met a total of four times and the Transaction Committee met a total of two times. During 2019,Committee. The Board has adopted written charters for each of these committees and all such charters can be obtained without charge on the Company’s directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board that occurred while he or she was serving as a director and the total number of meetings held by any of the committees of thewebsite at: http://investor.2u.com.
Board on which such director served. During seven meetings of the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee met privately with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
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Members | Independent | |
RobertMembers: | |
ROBERT M. Stavis (Chair)STAVIS (CHAIR) Independent | ü | Meetings during 2019: 82020: 6 |
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Earl Lewis | ü IndependentPaul A. Maeder Independent Gregory K. Peters Independent | Report of the Audit Committee: Page 5831 |
Paul A. Maeder | ü | |
Gregory K. Peters | ü | |
The current composition of our Audit Committee is set forth above. Mr. Maeder joined the Audit Committee on April 25, 2019 to replace Ms. Maybank who served on the Audit Committee from January 19, 2019 to April 25, 2019 when she was appointed to the Compensation Committee. Mr. Stavis is the Chair of the Audit Committee, and our Board has determined that he is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by SEC rules and regulations. Our Board has determined that the composition of our Audit Committee meets the criteria for independence under, and the functioning of our Audit Committee complies with, the applicable requirements of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002, the Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules and regulations. The Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate and possess “financial sophistication” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards. We intend to continue to evaluate the requirements applicable to us, and we intend to comply with the future requirements to the extent that they become applicable to our Audit Committee.
Our Audit Committee oversees the Company’s corporate accounting and financial reporting processes. The principal duties and responsibilities of our Audit Committee include:
•appointing and retaining an independent registered public accounting firm to serve as independent auditor to audit our consolidated financial statements, overseeing and evaluating the independent auditor’s work and determining the independent auditor’s compensation;
•approving in advance all audit services and non‑auditnon-audit services to be provided to us by our independent auditor;
•establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing or compliance matters, as well as for the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;
•reviewing and discussing with management and our independent auditor the results of the annual audit and the independent auditor’s review of our quarterly consolidated financial statements; and
•conferring with management and our independent auditor about the scope, adequacy and effectiveness of our internal accounting controls, the objectivity of our financial reporting and our accounting policies and practices.
The Audit Committee’s charter can be obtained without charge onOur Board has determined that the Company’s website at: http://investor.2u.com. As provided under the Audit Committee’s charter, the Audit Committee’s pre‑approval policy and applicable law, thecomposition of our Audit Committee pre‑approves all audit, reviewmeets the criteria for independence under, and attest services, as well as all permitted non‑audit services (subject to a de minimis exception) to be provided bythe functioning of our independent registered public accounting firm. This pre‑approval applies to audit services, audit‑related services, tax services and other services. Under this policy, the Audit Committee may provide pre‑approval for a particular defined task or scope of work, subject to a specific budget and for up to one year. The Audit Committee may also delegate pre‑approval authority to one or morecomplies with, the applicable requirements of the Audit Committee’sSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules and regulations. The Board has determined that all members and the Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee are financially literate and possess “financial sophistication” within the authority to pre‑approve services (other than the annual engagement) up to a maximum of $50,000 per calendar year. The Chairmeaning of the Audit Committee reports any pre‑approval decisions at the next scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, applicable securities laws prohibit the CompanyNasdaq listing standards. The Board has also determined that Ms. Stavis is an “audit committee financial expert,” as a publicly traded company from obtaining certain non‑audit services from its independent audit firm. We obtain these services from other service providers as needed.
defined by SEC rules and regulations.
Compensation Committee
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Members | Independent2021 Proxy Statement | 21 |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Compensation committee
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JOHN M. Larson (Chair)LARSON (CHAIR) Independent | ü | Meetings during 2019: 62020: 7 |
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Alexis Maybank | ü IndependentCoretha M. Rushing Independent | Report of the Compensation Committee: Page 4851 |
Coretha M. Rushing | ü | |
Our Compensation Committee oversees the Company’s compensation policies, plans and programs. The current compositionprincipal duties and responsibilities of our Compensation Committee is set forth above. Ms. Maybank joinedinclude:
•establishing and approving, and making recommendations to the Compensation CommitteeBoard regarding, performance goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, evaluating the performance of our Chief Executive Officer in light of those goals and objectives and setting, or recommending to the full Board for approval, the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, including incentive-based and equity-based compensation, based on April 25, 2019 to replace Mr. Maeder who servedthat evaluation;
•setting the compensation of our other executive officers, based in part on the Compensation Committee until April 25, 2019. Mr. Larson is the Chairrecommendations of the Compensation Committee. Chief Executive Officer;
•exercising administrative authority under our stock plans and employee benefit plans;
•establishing policies and making recommendations to our Board regarding director compensation; and
•reviewing and discussing with management the compensation discussion and analysis that we may be required from time to time to include in SEC filings.
Our Board has determined that the composition of our Compensation Committee satisfies the applicable independence requirements under, and the functioning of our Compensation Committee complies with the applicable requirements of, Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules and regulations. Each member of Mses. Maybank and Rushingthe Compensation Committee is also a “non‑employee“non-employee director,” as defined in Rule 16b‑316b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act. We intend to continue to evaluate and intend to comply with all future requirements applicable to our Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee oversees the Company’s compensation policies, plans and programs. The principal duties and responsibilitiesAct of our Compensation Committee include:
establishing and approving, and making recommendations to the Board regarding, performance goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief executive officer, evaluating the performance of our chief executive officer in light of those goals and objectives and setting, or recommending to the full Board for approval, the chief executive officer’s compensation, including incentive‑based and equity‑based compensation, based on that evaluation;
setting the compensation of our other executive officers, based in part on recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer;
exercising administrative authority under our stock plans and employee benefit plans;
establishing policies and making recommendations to our Board regarding director compensation;
reviewing and discussing with management the compensation discussion and analysis that we may be required from time to time to include in SEC filings; and
preparing a Compensation Committee report on executive compensation1934, as may be required from time to time to be included in our annual proxy statements or annual reports on Form 10‑K filed with the SEC.amended (the “Exchange Act”).
The scope of the Compensation Committee’s authority and responsibilities is set forth in its written charter, a copy of which is available without charge on the Company’s website at: http://investor.2u.com. As provided under the Compensation Committee’s charter, the Compensation Committee may delegate its authority to subcommittees as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, consistent with applicable law and the Nasdaq listing standards. In April 2019, our Compensation Committee formed a subcommittee comprised entirely of members of the Compensation Committee that meet the requirements of a “non‑employee director” as defined in Rule 16b‑3 of the Exchange Act. This subcommittee has the nonexclusive authority to grant equity and other awards under our compensation plans that comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act. As part of its duties, the Compensation Committee establishes and approves (or refers to the full Board for approval) the compensation and performance of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in light of relevant corporate goals and objectives that are periodically established by the Compensation Committee or the Board. The Chief Executive Officer is not present during the voting and deliberations regarding his compensation. The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves (or refers to the full Board for review and approval) the compensation of the Company’s executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer in light of relevant corporate goals and objectives that are periodically established by the Compensation Committee or the Board. No executive officer is present during the voting and deliberations regarding his or her compensation. Under its charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to retain, at the Company’s expense, such counsel, consultants, experts and other professionals as it deems necessary. For additional information regarding the role of executive officers and compensation consultants in setting director and executive compensation, see the section entitled “Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No director who served on the Compensation Committee during 2019 is a former or current officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, during the last completed fiscal year, none of our executive officers has served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has or has had one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committeecorporate governance committee |
| | | | |
Members | Independent | |
TimothyMembers: | |
TIMOTHY M. Haley (Chair)HALEY (CHAIR) Independent | ü | Meetings during 2019: 2020: 4 |
| |
Edward S. Macias | ü | |
| Independent Valerie Jarrett | ü | |
| Independent Sallie L. Krawcheck Independent | ü |
| |
The current composition of ourOur Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is set forth above. Mr. Haley isoversees the ChairCompany’s corporate governance practices. The principal duties and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Committee include:
•assessing the need for new directors and identifying individuals qualified to become directors;
•recommending to the Board the persons to be nominated for election as directors and to each of the Board’s committees;
•assessing individual director performance, participation and qualifications;
•developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance principles;
•monitoring the effectiveness of the Board and the quality of the relationship between management and the Board; and
•overseeing a periodic evaluation of the Board’s performance.
Our Board has determined that the composition of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee satisfies the applicable independence requirements under, and the functioning of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee complies with the applicable requirements of, Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules and regulations. We intend
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Board’s role and responsibilities
Risk oversight.
The Board oversees a company-wide approach to continuerisk management that is carried out by management. The Board determines the appropriate risk for the Company generally, assesses the specific risks faced by the Company and reviews the steps taken by management to evaluatemanage those risks. While the Board maintains the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, its committees oversee risk in certain specified areas. Management is accountable for day-to-day risk management efforts, including creation of appropriate risk management programs and intendpolicies. Management provides regular reports to comply with all future requirements applicable to our Nominatingthe Audit Committee concerning financial, tax, legal and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Nominatingcompliance related risks and Corporate Governance Committee oversees the Company’s corporate governance practices. The principal duties and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include:
assessing the need for new directors and identifying individuals qualified to become directors;
recommendingexperts report to the Board the persons to be nominated for election as directors and to each of the Board’s committees;on cybersecurity.
assessing individual director performance, participation and qualifications;
developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance principles;
monitoring the effectiveness of the Board and the quality of the relationship between management and the Board; and
overseeing a periodic evaluation of the Board’s performance.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s charter can be obtained without charge on the Company’s website at: http://investor.2u.com.
Executive Sessions of Non‑Management Directors
In order to promote discussion among the non‑management directors, the Board regularly holds executive sessions (i.e., meetings of non‑management directors without management present) to review such topics as the non‑management directors determine. Mr. Maeder presides as Chair during the executive sessions of the Board. The non‑management directors of the Board met in executive session five times during 2019.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Board | | |
| | Oversees major risks •Strategic and competitive •Financial •Operational •Legal and regulatory
| | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Audit | | Compensation | | Nominating and Corporate Governance |
| | | | | | | | | |
Primary areas of risk oversight •Financial statement and reporting •Major financial and other business risk exposure •Internal controls •Legal and compliance •Data privacy •Cybersecurity •Related party transactions •Conflicts of interest | | Primary areas of risk oversight •Executive compensation policies & practices, including pay equity among executives •Non-employee director compensation policies and practices •Talent development and retention | | Primary areas of risk oversight •Governance structure and processes •Board and chair succession planning •Board composition and function •Board independence •Compliance with code of conduct •Executive succession planning |
| | | | | |
| Management | |
| •Responsible for day-to-day risk management efforts, including creation of appropriate risk management programs and policies •Internal Audit function provides review and recommendations regarding design and effectiveness of internal controls and risk management processes | |
Nomination of Directorsdirectors.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying, screening and recommending candidates to the Board for Board membership. When formulating its recommendations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers advice and recommendations from others as it deems appropriate. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for assessing the appropriate balance of criteria required of Board members.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may apply several criteria in selecting nominees. At a minimum, it considers (a) whether each sucha nominee can read and understand basic financial statements and is over 21 years of age, (b) whether a nominee has demonstrated, by significant accomplishment in his or hertheir field, an ability to make a meaningful contribution to the Board’s oversight of the business and affairs of the Company and (b)(c) whether a nominee possesses the nominee’s reputation for honesty and ethical conduct in his or herhighest personal and professional activities.integrity, ethics and values. Additional factors that
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider include a candidate’s specific experiences and skills, independence, expertise, diversity, personal and professional integrity, character, business judgment, time availability in light of other commitments, dedication, conflicts of interest and such other relevant factors as it considers appropriate in the context of the needs of the Board. Although the Company has no formal diversity policy, the Board believes that diversity is an important consideration in Board composition, with diversity being broadly construed to mean a variety of opinions, perspectives, experiences and backgrounds, including gender, race and ethnicity differences, as well as other differentiating characteristics, all in the context of the requirements of the Board at that point in time.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers candidates recommended by stockholders pursuant to the the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s policy for considering stockholder recommendations of director nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s policy is available free of charge on the Company’s website at: http://investor.2u.com.investor.2u.com. Pursuant to the policy, and at its next appropriate meeting following receipt of a recommendation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider all director candidates recommended by the Company’s stockholders provided such recommendation is delivered in a timely manner and in the proper form, as specified in the policy. All director nominees so submitted by the Company’s stockholders will be evaluated in the same manner as recommendations received from management or members of the Board.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters.
We recognize the impact that a business can have on its surrounding community and environment and believe that an organization has the responsibility to be a good corporate citizen. We also value our employees and recognize the critical roles that they play in the achievement of our long-term goals and overall success. The following is a summary of some of the steps we have taken to create a safe, inclusive and positive workplace for our employees and to provide meaningful relationships and a lasting impact in our local communities. Additional information can be found in our ESG report at: http://investor.2u.com.
Societal impact
We believe that higher education is a powerful driver of upward social mobility. 2U is increasing access to learning opportunities for people around the world by building, delivering and supporting more than 500 digital and in-person educational offerings, including graduate degrees, undergraduate degrees, professional certificates, boot camps and short courses. The following is a summary of some of the ways we believe we are positively impacting society:
•Together with our university clients, we have positively transformed the lives of more than 300,000 students and lifelong learners to date.
•Compared to the national average, our graduate degree programs enroll a higher percentage of diverse students. •The average actual cost and debt burden of attending a 2U-powered program is often less than on-campus programs due to ongoing income students can earn and room and board savings.
•Together with several university clients, we launched a $3 million scholarship fund to provide access to our technical boot camps at reduced rates. This initiative focused on reaching Black, Latinx and indigenous communities as well as women and individuals from low income households.
•Our offerings in fields requiring clinical placements, such as nursing, public health, social work and counseling have produced over 18,000 graduates. Our team of placement specialists facilitates clinical placements for students in their local communities, allowing them to make an impact in those communities after their graduation.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Human capital
We believe that our employees are our greatest asset and that when people feel appreciated and included, they can be more creative, innovative and better serve our university clients and students. We are committed to having a workforce that will enable the long-term success of our business. The following is a summary of certain programs we have implemented to help us attract, retain and inspire key talent and highlights of workplace recognitions we received for 2020:
•We offer a total rewards program for our employees that is market-competitive and merit-based. To foster a sense of ownership and align the interests of employees and stockholders, we have a broad-based stock compensation program that provides performance and service-based restricted stock units to eligible employees. We also offer eligible employees the ability to participate in our Employee Stock Purchase Program, which enables them to purchase stock at a discount. We provide comprehensive benefits for employees and their families, which are tailored to the various geographies in which we operate.
•We provide a range of employee development programs and opportunities for employees to develop the skills they need to be successful. Our learning and development teams create and teach a variety of live courses and employees have free access to a library of learning resources via LinkedIn Learning. In addition, we offer a tuition reimbursement benefit that allows eligible employees and their family members to receive reimbursement for certain of our offerings.
•We actively promote a number of benefits and programs to support the health and welfare of our employees, including on-site gyms and access to online health and wellness resources including meditation and mental health support.
•We participate in the Great Place to Work survey to measure and track employee engagement annually. In 2020, 84% of US employees reported feeling that 2U is a great place to work and the Company was certified as a Great Place to Work for the third consecutive year.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic provided unique challenges to our employees, underscoring the importance of our employee wellness initiatives. Our priority during the COVID-19 pandemic was to safeguard the health of our employees and their families. We implemented several new programs to support and engage with our employees in these challenging circumstances as set forth in more detail in the Section entitled “Proxy Statement Summary — Our Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
We believe an equitable and inclusive environment with diverse teams produces more creative solutions and results in better outcomes for our university clients and students. We continue to strive to attract, retain and promote diverse talent at all levels of the organization and we are proud to have a Board and executive team that bring diverse ideas and backgrounds to the table. Our Board is 33% women and 33% people of color and our executive team is 25% women and 31% people of color. We have incorporated diversity, equity and inclusion (“DE&I”) into the fabric of our corporate culture, as demonstrated by some of our recent initiatives and recognitions described below:
•Since 2018, we have had a diversity and inclusion committee, known as MOSAIC, that serves as a liaison with our Chief Executive Officer, Chief People Officer and other members of management on diversity and inclusion issues.
•We maintain Business Resource Networks (“BRNs”) which foster a diverse and inclusive workplace aligned with our mission and business goals and reflect our commitment to create and sustain a diverse workplace. We currently have BRNs representing the following groups and their allies: Black/African American, Women, LGBTQ+, Asian and Pacific Islander and Latinx.
•We include diversity-related measures as key goals in our annual company-wide operating plan.
•The Company was one of 380 companies included on the Bloomberg 2020 Gender-Equality Index for its commitment to advancing women in the workplace through measurement and transparency.
•We take pay equity seriously and conduct regular internal assessments on pay disparities and make adjustments as necessary.
•We provide employees training on unconscious bias, non-discrimination and harassment and allyship to drive engagement, mitigate bias and encourage more inclusive behavior.
•We have adopted a supplier diversity policy to ensure that our Company's suppliers reflect 2U's commitment to diversity.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
•Several partnerships with our university clients seek to advance DE&I principles. For example, our partnership with Netflix and Norfolk State University, one of the nation’s leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), seeks to increase Black representation in the technology sector by offering 2U-powered boot camps to current students and recent alumni of Norfolk State University.
The heightened awareness of social inequalities and the unrest that marked 2020 highlighted the importance of our DE&I commitment. In 2020, we specifically engaged our BIPOC employees through a series of town halls, listening sessions and two-way dialogue that included our CEO and our entire executive team. As a result of this engagement, and with the leadership of our new VP of DE&I, we adopted a DE&I plan setting forth the Company’s short- and long-term commitments and goals around DE&I.
Community involvement
We are committed to making an impact in our local communities through volunteering, financial donations, scholarships and other forms of engagement. The following is a summary of some of the ways we sought to impact our community in 2020:
•Through the Company’s corporate social responsibility program, called 2U Engage, we support regional non-profits whose work aligns with our mission of providing access to education – Denver Kids, Inc., College Track, Higher Achievement, Communities in Schools, Ikamvayouth, Seeds, Take Stock in Children and The Marcy Lab School. Through these community partnerships, our employees are able to give back to their local communities through volunteering, fundraising, in-kind donations and pro-bono services.
•In our US offices, we host Days of Service, a bi-annual event that allows 2U employees to give back to their communities through volunteering and donations. In Cape Town, we host “Days of Activism” throughout the year that focus on bringing awareness to gender-based violence and inequality.
•Employees receive “Volunteer Paid Time Off” and are encouraged to use this time to make a difference in their communities.
•We partnered with the International Rescue Committee to launch a 2U-sponsored scholarship program for IRC employees.
•We partnered with the workforce development agency in Prince George’s County, Maryland and the George Washington University College of Professional Studies to launch a scholarship fund to provide our technical boot camps to local residents.
Environmental impact
Our digital offerings enable students to access educational offerings without moving or regularly commuting to a campus location. In addition, we are working to integrate sustainability initiatives into our general business practices. The following is a summary of some of the programs we have put in place to reduce the impact that our operations have on the environment:
•We provide flexibility to allow employees to work remotely, including remote access to applications and collaboration tools to reduce the environmental cost associated with commuting and travel.
•We have implemented a print management system to reduce paper and printing use.
•We responsibly manage and dispose of our electronic waste by e-cycling or wiping and donating electronics to be repurposed at other organizations.
•We limit our electrical and cooling needs by maintaining minimal IT equipment running on-premise, instead relying on cloud providers.
•Our Denver office is LEED certified.
•All of our major offices (Lanham, Denver, Brooklyn and Cape Town), are designed to reduce greenhouse emissions by energy conservation and energy efficiency efforts, including through setting lights at 75%, relying on sensors to turn off lights when not in use and using Energy Star-rated appliances and WaterSense plumbing fixtures.
•We have many educational offerings focused on sustainability. For example, we have short courses on the following topics: Sustainable Fashion, Business Sustainability Management, and Energy Efficiency and Sustainability.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Stockholder engagement.
We welcome and value the views and insights of our stockholders and conduct regular outreach to connect with our stockholders to ensure open lines of communications. Our investor relations team, along with our CEO and CFO, regularly meet with stockholders to discuss our business results, strategy and capital structure, among other topics. In addition, we invite stockholders to provide input on matters related to our board composition, executive compensation, corporate governance and environmental and social responsibility matters. In 2020, we proactively reached out to stockholders representing approximately 70% of our shares outstanding and held meetings with stockholders representing approximately 50% of our shares outstanding.
These meetings included members of management and, where appropriate, members of our Board. No significant concerns were raised by stockholders regarding our compensation programs and several noted the meaningful changes to the Company's executive compensation programs implemented for 2020. We received some feedback from certain stockholders on the structure of the Company's long-term equity incentive program, which is reflected in the changes the Compensation Committee implemented to the executive compensation program for 2021. We believe it is important to continue to engage with our stockholders on a regular basis to understand their perspectives and to give them a voice in shaping our governance and executive compensation policies and practices.
Communications with the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors.
The Board has established a process to receive communications from stockholders and other interested parties. Stockholders and other interested parties may contact any member (or all members) of the Board, any Board committee or any chair of any such committee by mail. To communicate with the Board, the non‑managementnon-management directors, any individual directors or committee of directors, correspondence should be addressed to the Board or any such individual directors or committee of directors by either name or title. All such correspondence should be sent to the Company at 2U, Inc., 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706, Attn: Corporate Secretary.
All communications received as set forth above will be opened by the Corporate Secretary who will determine whether the communication should be presented to the Board. The purpose of this screening is to avoid providing the Board communications that are irrelevant or inappropriate (such as advertisements, solicitations and hostile communications). Following this review, if appropriate, the Corporate Secretary will distribute the communication to the Board, the non‑managementnon-management directors, an individual director or committee of directors, as appropriate.
Director Attendance at Annual Meeting
Although we do not have a formal policy with respect to directors’ attendance at our annual meeting of the stockholders, all directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. Eight people who were directors of the Company as of such date attended our last annual meeting.
No Material Proceedings
There are no material proceedings to which any of our directors, executive officers or affiliates, or any owner of record or of beneficially more than five percent of our stock (or their associates), is a party adverse to the Company or its subsidiaries or in which any of our directors, executive officers or affiliates, or any owner of record or of beneficially more than five percent of our stock (or their associates), has a material interest adverse to the Company or its subsidiaries.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Overview of Director Compensation Program
Our Board has approved a compensation program for non‑employee directors designed to attract, retain and reward qualified directors and align the financial interests of the non‑employee directors with those of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee reviews pay levels for non‑employee directors on an annual basis with assistance from Compensia, the independent compensation consultant retained by the Compensation Committee. Compensia conducts a comprehensive annual review and assessment of our director compensation program, including a comparative review of our current director compensation program against the same peer group used for executive compensation purposes, which is identified below under the section “Process for Setting Compensation—Compensation Peer Group”. The Compensation Committee then, based in part upon Compensia’s report, provides a recommendation to the full Board with respect to our director compensation program. The full Board approves any updates to the non‑employee director compensation program.
Pursuant to this compensation program, non‑employee directors are paid an annual retainer fee and granted equity awards for their service on the Board. Committee chairs are each paid additional retainer fees and granted additional equity awards for service in these capacities. Members of the Audit Committee are granted an additional equity award for service in this capacity. Upon initial appointment to our Board, each non‑employee director is granted restricted stock units and options, each with a grant date fair value of $25,000. These awards vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the applicable vesting commencement date, which typically coincides with the grant date. We reimburse our non‑employee directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board and committees thereof.
Christopher J. Paucek, our Chief Executive Officer, is also a director, but does not receive any additional compensation for his service as a director.
In April 2019, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee and based on the annual review and assessment of our director compensation program provided by Compensia, which indicated that our director compensation fell below the 25th percentile of director compensation paid by our compensation peer group, with value of annual equity grants to our directors being the component that was most significantly lower than our peers, our Board approved increasing the annual grant of restricted stock units and options for our non‑employee directors to $200,000 in total, such that our non-employee directors will receive annual grants of restricted stock units and options, each with a grant date value of $100,000. After giving effect to this increase, our target total compensation for directors fell at approximately the 50th percentile of the compensation peer group. Our peer group of companies is discussed and identified below under “Executive Compensation—Process for Setting Compensation—Compensation Peer Group.” For the compensation year starting on April 1, 2019, our non‑employee directors were entitled to receive the following annual compensation for their service on the Board:
|
| | | |
| Position | Cash or Equity Retainer ($)(1) |
| Equity Grants ($)(2) |
| Board Chair | 5,000 |
| 15,000 |
| Board Member | 25,000 |
| 200,000 |
| Audit Committee Chair | 5,000 |
| 15,000 |
| Compensation Committee Chair | 5,000 |
| 5,000 |
| Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair | 5,000 |
| 5,000 |
| Non‑Chair Audit Committee Members | — |
| 5,000 |
| | | | | |
(1) | In 2019, our non‑employee directors elected to receive their quarterly cash retainers of $6,250 in the form of a restricted stock unit award. Each director who served as Chair of our Board or Chair of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee or Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee elected to receive the additional quarterly cash retainer of $1,250 in the form of a restricted stock unit award. These restricted stock unit awards vested in a single installment on April 1, 2020. |
| 2021 Proxy Statement | |
(2) | In 2019, our non‑employee directors received annual grants of restricted stock units and options, each with a grant date value of $100,000. These annual equity awards vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the April 1, 2019 vesting commencement date. The Chair of our Board and the Chair of our Audit Committee received an additional grant of restricted stock units with a grant date value of $15,000, which vested on April 1, 2020. Each director who served as a member of our Audit Committee (other than the Chair) or Chair of our Compensation Committee or Nominating and |
Corporate Governance Committee received an additional grant of restricted stock units with a grant date value of $5,000, which vested on April 1, 2020.
2019 Director Compensation
The following table provides information about the compensation earned for service on our Board by each of our non‑employee directors during 2019. |
| | | | |
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($)(2) | Option Awards ($)(2) | Total ($) |
| Timothy M. Haley | 30,000 | 104,937 | 100,000 | 234,937 |
| Valerie B. Jarrett | 25,000 | 99,995 | 100,000 | 224,995 |
| Sallie L. Krawcheck | 25,000 | 99,995 | 100,000 | 224,995 |
| John M. Larson | 30,000 | 104,937 | 100,000 | 234,937 |
| Earl Lewis | 25,000 | 104,937 | 100,000 | 229,937 |
| Edward S. Macias | 25,000 | 99,995 | 100,000 | 224,995 |
| Paul A. Maeder | 30,000 | 119,885 | 100,000 | 249,885 |
| Alexis Maybank | 25,000 | 144,854(3) | 138,709(3) | 308,563 |
| Gregory K. Peters | 25,000 | 104,937 | 100,000 | 229,937 |
| Coretha M. Rushing | 25,000 | 99,995 | 100,000 | 224,995 |
| Robert M. Stavis | 30,000 | 114,943 | 100,000 | 244,943 |
| |
(1) | In 2019, all non‑employee directors elected to receive their cash retainers in the form of a restricted stock unit award. Each director received 409 restricted stock units, in lieu of the $25,000 cash retainer for service as a Board member, representing a grant date fair value of $24,953. Messrs. Haley, Larson, Maeder and Stavis received an additional 81 restricted stock units, in lieu of the $5,000 cash retainer for service as Chair of our Board or Chair of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as applicable, having a grant date fair value of $4,942. All of such restricted stock units vest in a single installment on April 1, 2020. |
| |
(2) | The amounts in these columns reflect the grant date fair value for option awards and stock awards, as applicable, in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The fair value of each option award is estimated using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of each stock award is measured based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. For more information on the assumptions we used to calculate the grant date fair values for options awards, see Note 12 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed on February 28, 2020. |
| |
(3) | Ms. Maybank joined the Board in December 2018 and, in January 2019, received a one‑time grant of restricted stock units and options, with grant date fair values of $24,969 and $24,982, respectively. These awards vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the January 1, 2019 vesting commencement date. In January 2019, Ms. Maybank also received a pro‑rated portion of her annual grant of restricted stock units and options for our compensation year ended March 31, 2019, with grant date fair values of $13,701 and $13,733, respectively, which reflects her partial year of service from January 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019. These annual equity awards vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the January 1, 2019 vesting commencement date. |
The following table provides information about outstanding stock awards and stock options held by each of our non‑employee directors as of December 31, 2019. Prior to 2014, the stock options were granted under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) and, since 2014, have been granted under our Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”).
|
| | |
| Name | Stock Awards | Option Awards |
| Timothy M. Haley | 3,138 | 12,659 |
| Valerie B. Jarrett | 2,914 | 6,410 |
| Sallie L. Krawcheck | 2,976 | 42,009 |
| John M. Larson | 3,138 | 24,398 |
| Earl Lewis | 3,057 | 42,009 |
| Edward S. Macias | 2,976 | 19,133 |
| Paul A. Maeder | 3,383 | 24,398 |
| Alexis Maybank | 2,952 | 5,284 |
| Gregory K. Peters | 2,807 | 5,788 |
| Coretha M. Rushing | 2,976 | 12,696 |
| Robert M. Stavis | 3,302 | 24,398 |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Board of directors policies and processes
Overview.
We are committed to conducting our business in a way that reflects best practices, as well as the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct. We want to be a company of integrity and to be perceived as such by everyone who comes in contact with us. To that end, the Board has approved a comprehensive system of corporate governance documents. These documents meet or exceed the requirements established by the Nasdaq listing standards and by SEC rules and are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect changes in regulatory requirements and evolving oversight practices. These policies embody the principles, policies, processes and practices followed by the Board, executive officers and employees in governing the Company, and serve as a flexible framework for sound corporate governance.
Board meetings and attendance. During 2020, including both regularly scheduled and special meetings, our Board met a total of 7 times, the Audit Committee met a total of 6 times, the Compensation Committee met a total of 7 times and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met a total of 4 times. During 2020, each of the Company’s directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board that occurred while he or she was serving as a director and the total number of meetings held by any of the committees of the Board on which such director served. During 6 meetings of the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee met privately with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
Director attendance at annual meeting.
Although we do not have a formal policy with respect to directors’ attendance at our annual meeting of the stockholders, all directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. Ten people who were directors of the Company as of such date attended our last annual meeting.
Corporate governance guidelines.
We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that address the composition of the Board, criteria for Board membership and other Board governance matters. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at: http://investor.2u.com.
Code of Business Conductbusiness conduct and Ethicsethics for Employees, Executive Officersemployees, executive officers and Directorsdirectors.
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or the Code of Conduct, applicable to all of our employees, executive officers and directors, in accordance with Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. The Code of Conduct is available on our website at: http://investor.2u.com.investor.2u.com. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board is responsible for overseeing the Code of Conduct and must approve any waivers of the Code of Conduct for employees, executive officers and directors. Any amendments to the Code of Conduct, or any waivers of its requirements, will be disclosed in accordance with Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements under the Exchange Act regarding an amendment to or waiver fromof a provision of the Code of Conduct by posting such information on our website.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that address the composition of the Board, criteria for Board membership and other Board governance matters. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at: http://investor.2u.com.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
In April 2020 we adopted stock ownership guidelines for our Named Executive Officers and non-employee directors. Within five years from becoming subject to the guidelines our Named Executive Officers and non-employee directors are required to own shares of our common stock with a value at least equal to the following: |
| | | |
Non-Employee Director | Chief Executive Officer | Chief Financial Officer | Other Covered Executives (Including all other NEOs) |
3x annual cash retainer* | 3x annual base salary | 2x annual base salary | 1x annual base salary |
* annual cash retainer excludes any fees for serving as Chair of the Board or serving as chair of a committee or member of the audit committee |
Shares counted towards meeting the ownership guidelines include (i) shares owned directly or indirectly, (ii) shares held by a qualifying trust, (iii) shares held by a 401(k) plan or other qualified pension or profit-sharing plan for the benefit of the Named Executive Officer or non-employee director and (iv) shares underlying vested restricted stock units where settlement of such shares has been deferred. Each executive or non-employee director, as applicable, remains subject to the stock ownership guidelines as long as they remain in their role. Exceptions to the guidelines may be made in the case of extraordinary circumstances, such as personal hardship, in the Compensation Committee’s sole discretion.
Anti‑Hedging and Anti‑Pledging Policies
Our insider trading policy provides that no one subject to the policy, which includes all Company officers, directors and employees, as well as consultants and contractors who may have access to inside information (each, an “Insider”) may engage in the purchase of financial instruments (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds), or other transactions that hedge or offset, or are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of Company securities. Our insider trading policy further provides that no Insider may engage in hedging or monetization transactions involving our securities, pledge our securities as collateral for a loan, or hold our securities in a margin account.
Whistleblower Proceduresprocedures.
In accordance with the Sarbanes‑OxleySarbanes-Oxley Act, we have established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and for the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns regarding such matters. If an individual has a concern regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters or the reporting of fraudulent financial information, such individual may report his or hertheir concern by sending a letter (which may be anonymous at the discretion of the reporting person) to us at our principal executive offices to the attention of the Compliance Officer (as defined in our Whistleblower Policy) or Chair of the Audit Committee. Individual employees may also report their concerns by telephone, email or online (which may be anonymous at the discretion of the reporting person) by using our ethics reporting system. The Audit Committee will be promptly notified of all complaints received that relate to accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Transactions with related parties.
Review and approval of transactions with related parties
All related party transactions are reviewed and, as appropriate, may be approved or ratified by the Audit Committee. If a director is involved in the transaction, he may not participate in any review, approval or ratification of such transaction. Related party transactions are approved by the Audit Committee only if, based on all of the facts and circumstances, they are in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and the best interests of our stockholders, as the Audit Committee determines in good faith. The Audit Committee takes into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the transaction is on terms generally available to Corporate Responsibilityan unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and Environmental, Socialthe extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction.
Related person transaction policy
The Company has adopted a written related person transaction policy that sets forth our procedures for the identification, review, consideration and Governance Mattersapproval or ratification of related person transactions. For purposes of our policy only, a related person transaction is a transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which we and any related person are, were or will be participants in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000. Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee or director are not covered by this policy. A related person is any executive officer, director or beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.
We recognizeUnder the impactpolicy, if a transaction has been identified as a related person transaction, including any transaction that was not a business can haverelated person transaction when originally consummated or any transaction that was not initially identified as a related person transaction prior to consummation, our management must present information regarding the related person transaction to our Audit Committee, or, if Audit Committee approval would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our Board, for review, consideration and approval or ratification. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the interests, direct and indirect, of the related persons, the benefits to us of the transaction and whether the transaction is on its surrounding communityterms that are comparable to the terms available to or from, as the case may be, an unrelated third party or to or from employees generally. Under the policy, we collect information that we deem reasonably necessary from each director, executive officer and, environmentto the extent feasible, significant stockholder to enable us to identify any existing or potential related person transactions and believe that an organization hasto effectuate the responsibility to be a good corporate citizen. We also valueterms of the policy. In addition, under our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our employees and recognizedirectors have an affirmative responsibility to disclose any transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. In considering related person transactions, our Audit Committee, or other independent body of our Board, will take into account the critical roles that they playrelevant available facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to:
•the risks, costs and benefits to us;
•the impact on a director’s independence in the achievementevent that the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated;
•the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and
•the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from employees generally.
The policy requires that, in determining whether to approve, ratify or reject a related person transaction, our Audit Committee, or other independent body of our long-term goalsBoard, must consider, in light of known circumstances, whether the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests and overall success. The following is intendedthose of our stockholders, as a summaryour Audit Committee, or other independent body of someour Board, determines in the good faith exercise of the stepsits discretion.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Certain related person transactions
There have been no transactions since January 1, 2020 to which we have taken to createbeen a safe, inclusiveparticipant in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000, and positive workplace forin which any of our employees and to provide meaningful relationships and a lasting impact in our local communities. Additional information can be found at: http://investor.2u.com.
Societal Impact
We believe that higher education is a powerful driver of upward social mobility. 2U is increasing access to learning opportunities for people around the world by building, delivering and supporting more than 400 digital and in-person educational offerings, including graduate degrees, undergraduate degrees, professional certificates, boot camps and short courses. Together with our university clients, we have positively transformed the livesdirectors, executive officers or holders of more than 215,000 studentsfive percent of our capital stock, or any members of their immediate family, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation arrangements which are described under the section entitled “Executive Compensation.” For a description of severance arrangements that we have entered into with some of our executive officers, please see the section entitled “Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment and lifelong learners. Within Connection with Change of Control Arrangements.”
Director evaluations.
Our Board believes that, as an aspect of its commitment to sound corporate governance, it is important to regularly assess its functioning and to identify opportunities for improvement. Under the direction of our offerings, students can pursue their education anytime, anywhere, without quitting their jobs or movingNominating and university clients can provide broader access to their educational offerings, thereby improving outcomes, skills attainment,Corporate Governance Committee, on an annual basis, each of our directors evaluates the overall Board and career prospects for a greater numberthe functioning of students. Moreover, our offerings are helping university clients address the critical needsBoard’s committees. As part of society—2U-powered offerings in health care disciplines are helping to fill critical staffing shortages in nursing and other health care fields and our boot camps are helping companies bridge digital skills gaps by providing training in fieldsthe evaluation, each Board member provides input on topics such as engineering, cybersecuritycorporate governance issues, Board and artificial intelligence.committee culture, structure and meeting process, interactions with management and quality and quantity of information provided to the Board. The feedback received is compiled and reviewed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Chair and the results are discussed with the full Board. Matters that require further assessment or additional follow-up are addressed at future Board or committee meetings, as applicable.
Director compensation
Overview of director compensation program.
Our programs also create greater accessBoard has approved a compensation program for non-employee directors designed to higher education. Compared to the national average, our graduate degree programs enroll a higher percentage of diverse students and the average actual cost and debt burden of attending a 2U-powered program is often less than on-campus programs due to ongoing income students can earn and room and board savings.
We believe our business contributes towards the achievement of several U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal #3 – “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” and Goal #4 – “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
Human Capital
We believe that our employees are our greatest asset and that when people feel appreciated and included, they can be more creative, innovative and better serve our university clients and students. We are committed to having a workforce that will enable the long-term success of our business. The following is a summary of certain programs we have implemented to help us attract, retain and inspire key talentreward qualified directors and highlightsalign the financial interests of workplace recognitions we receivedthe non-employee directors with those of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee reviews pay levels for 2019:non-employee directors on an annual basis with assistance from an independent compensation consultant retained by the Compensation Committee. The compensation consultant conducts a comprehensive assessment of our director compensation program, including a comparative review of our current director compensation program against the same peer group used for executive compensation purposes, which is identified below under the section entitled “Process for Setting Compensation—Compensation Peer Group”. The Compensation Committee then, based in part on compensation consultant’s report, provides a recommendation to the full Board with respect to our director compensation program. On an annual basis, the full Board approves the non-employee director compensation program. For purposes of our non-employee director compensation program, our year runs from April 1st through March 31st.
Pursuant to this compensation program, non-employee directors are paid an annual retainer fee and granted equity awards for their service on the Board. Committee chairs are each paid additional retainer fees and granted additional equity awards for service in these capacities. Members of the Audit Committee are granted an additional equity award for service in this capacity. Upon initial appointment to our Board, each non-employee director is granted RSUs with a grant date fair value of $50,000. These awards vest on the first anniversary of the applicable vesting commencement date, which is typically on or around April 1 of the applicable year for annual equity awards. We reimburse our non-employee directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board and committees thereof. Christopher J. Paucek, our Chief Executive Officer, is also a director, but does not receive any additional compensation for his service as a director.
We maintain Business Resource Networks (“BRNs”) which foster
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
2020 director compensation.
In April 2020, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee and based on the annual review and assessment of our director compensation program provided by the independent compensation consultant, our Board changed the structure of the annual equity award for non-employee directors to be comprised solely of RSUs that vest in full on the one year anniversary of the vesting commencement date. The Board did not make any changes to the value of the annual cash or equity retainers, the annual equity award or the equity awards for service as Chair of the Board or a diverse and inclusive workplace aligned withcommittee or service as an Audit Committee member. For the compensation year starting on April 1, 2020, our mission and business goals and reflect our commitmentnon-employee directors were entitled to create and sustain a diverse workplace. We currently have BRNs representingreceive the following groups andannual compensation for their allies: Black/African American, Women, LGBTQ+, Asian Pacific Islander and Latinx.service on the Board:
We take pay equity seriously and conduct regular internal assessments | | | | | | | | |
| Position | Cash or Equity Retainer ($) | Equity Grants($) |
| Board Chair | 5,000 | | 15,000 | |
| Board Member | 25,000 | 200,000 |
| Audit Committee Chair | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| Compensation Committee Chair | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Non-Chair Audit Committee Members | — | 5,000 |
The following table provides information about the compensation earned for service on pay disparities and make adjustments as necessary.
We offer a tuition reimbursement benefit for allour Board by each of our employees. Eligible employees cannon-employee directors during 2020.
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| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($)(2) | Total ($) |
| Timothy M. Haley | 30,000 | 204,978 | | 234,978 | |
| Valerie B. Jarrett | 25,000 | 200,000 | | 225,000 | |
| Sallie L. Krawcheck | 25,000 | 200,000 | | 225,000 | |
| John M. Larson | 30,000 | 204,978 | | 234,978 | |
| Earl Lewis | 25,000 | 204,978 | | 229,978 | |
| Edward S. Macias | 25,000 | 200,000 | | 225,000 | |
| Paul A. Maeder | 30,000 | 219,964 | | 249,964 | |
| Alexis Maybank | 25,000 | 200,000 | | 225,000 | |
| Gregory K. Peters | 25,000 | 204,978 | | 229,978 | |
| Coretha M. Rushing | 25,000 | 200,000 | | 225,000 | |
| Robert M. Stavis | 30,000 | 214,986 | | 244,986 | |
(1)In 2020, all non-employee directors elected to receive a one‑time reimbursementtheir cash retainers in the form of an RSU award. Each director received 984 RSUs, in lieu of the cost$25,000 cash retainer for service as a Board member, representing a grant date fair value of tuition to complete a 2U‑powered graduate program offered by our university clients,$24,994. Messrs. Haley, Larson, Maeder and reimbursement for the cost of one short course per rolling twelve-month period. In addition, we pay 50%Stavis received an additional 196 RSUs, in lieu of the tuition$5,000 cash retainer for one spouseservice as Chair of our Board or dependentChair of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as applicable, having a grant date fair value of $4,978. All of such RSUs vested in a single installment on April 1, 2021.
(2)The amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value for stock awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The fair value of each eligible employee to complete onestock award is measured based on the closing price of our university clients’ eligible graduate programs.common stock on the date of grant. These RSU awards vested in a single installment on April 1, 2021.
We actively promote a number of benefits
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
The following table provides information about outstanding stock awards and programs to support the health and welfarestock options held by each of our employees including on-site gymsnon-employee directors as of December 31, 2020. Prior to 2014, the stock options were granted under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) and, access to other local healthsince 2014, have been granted under our Amended and wellness resources.Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The stock awards were granted under our 2014 Plan.
We participate in the Great Place to Work survey to measure and track employee engagement annually. In 2019, 85% of US employees reported feeling that 2U is a great place to work and the Company was certified as a Great Place to Work for the second consecutive year. | | | | | | | | |
| Name | Stock Awards | Option Awards |
| Timothy M. Haley | 10,576 | | 12,659 | |
| Valerie B. Jarrett | 10,384 | | 6,410 | |
| Sallie L. Krawcheck | 10,184 | | 42,009 | |
| John M. Larson | 10,576 | | 24,398 | |
| Earl Lewis | 10,380 | | 42,009 | |
| Edward S. Macias | 10,184 | | 19,133 | |
| Paul A. Maeder | 11,166 | | 24,398 | |
| Alexis Maybank | 10,471 | | 5,284 | |
| Gregory K. Peters | 10,486 | | 5,788 | |
| Coretha M. Rushing | 10,184 | | 12,696 | |
| Robert M. Stavis | 10,970 | | 24,398 | |
In 2019, the Company was named a top workplace by the Washington Post for the fifth consecutive year and by the Denver Post for the third consecutive year.Director stock ownership guidelines.
In 2019, the Company was one of 325 companies included on the Bloomberg 2020 Gender-Equality Index for its commitment to advancing women in the workplace through measurement and transparency.
Community Involvement | | | | | | | | |
In April 2020, we adopted stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors. Within five years from becoming subject to the guidelines our non-employee directors are required to own shares of our common stock with a value at least equal to three times of their annual cash retainer, excluding any fees for serving as Chair of the Board or serving as Chair of a committee or member of the Audit Committee. Shares counted towards meeting the ownership guidelines include (i) shares owned directly or indirectly, (ii) shares held by a qualifying trust, (iii) shares held by a 401(k) plan or other qualified pension or profit-sharing plan for the benefit of the non-employee director and (iv) shares underlying vested restricted stock units where settlement of such shares has been deferred. Each non-employee director remains subject to the stock ownership guidelines as long as they remain in their role. Exceptions to the guidelines may be made in the case of extraordinary circumstances, such as personal hardship, in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s sole discretion. | | Stock ownership requirement for non-employee directors: |
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3x annual cash retainer
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We promote corporate social responsibility by encouraging our employees to take part in social and community volunteering that leaves a lasting impact in our local communities. For example, in 2019:
Through the Company’s corporate social responsibility program, called 2U Engage, we support nine regional non-profits whose work aligns with our mission of providing access to education. Through these community partnerships, our employees are able to give back to their local communities through volunteering, fundraising, in-kind donations and pro-bono services.We host Days of Service, a bi-annual event that allows 2U employees to give back to their communities through volunteering and donations.Employees receive “Volunteer Paid Time Off” and are encouraged to use this time to make a difference in their communities.
We partnered with the International Rescue Committee to launch a 2U sponsored scholarship program for IRC employees.
Environmental Impact
Our digital offerings enable students to access educational offerings without moving or regularly commuting to a campus location. In addition, we are working to integrate sustainability initiatives into our general business practices. executive officers.
Executive officers
The following is a summarytable sets forth information concerning our current executive officers, including their age, as of some of the programs we have put in place to reduce the impact that our operations have on the environment:April 19, 2021:
| | | | | | | | |
| Name | Age | Position |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 50 | Chief Executive Officer and Director |
| Paul S. Lalljie | 48 | Chief Financial Officer |
| Mark J. Chernis | 54 | Chief Operating Officer |
| James Kenigsberg | 45 | Chief Technology Officer |
| Matthew J. Norden | 39 | Chief Legal Officer |
| John B. Ellis | 53 | Chief Accounting Officer |
We have implemented a print management system to reduce paper and printing use.
We responsibly manage and dispose of our electronic waste by e-cycling or wiping and donating electronics to be repurposed at other organizations.Current executive officer biographies
We limit our electrical and cooling needs by maintaining minimal IT equipment running on-premise, instead relying on cloud providers. | | |
CHRISTOPHER J. PAUCEK See biography of Christopher J. Paucek in the section entitled “Corporate Governance and Board Matters—The Board of Directors." |
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Our Denver office is LEED certified. | | |
PAUL S. LALLJIE Paul S. Lalljie has served as our Chief Financial Officer since October 2019. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Neustar, Inc. from June 2009 to February 2018. From February 2000 until his appointment as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Lalljie held various leadership positions at Neustar, Inc., including Senior Vice President, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis, and Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations. |
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All of our major offices (Lanham, Denver, Brooklyn and Cape Town), are designed to reduce greenhouse emissions by energy conservation and energy efficiency efforts, including through setting lights at 75%, relying on sensors to turn off lights when not in use and using Energy Star-rated appliances and WaterSense plumbing fixtures. | | |
MARK J. CHERNIS Mr. Chernis has served as our Chief Operating Officer since May 2018. Prior to that, he served on our Board since January 2009, including as Audit Committee chair from July 2016 to April 2018. From 2011 until May 2018, Mr. Chernis served in various senior roles at Pearson, including as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Investments from January 2014 to 2018 and President & Chief Operating Officer of the K-12 Technology Division from June 2011 to January 2014. Previously, Mr. Chernis was the President and Chief Operating Officer of SchoolNet from March 2008 until its acquisition by Pearson in 2011. From 1984 to 2007, Mr. Chernis held various positions at The Princeton Review, most recently serving as its President from 1995 to November 2007. Mr. Chernis also currently serves on the boards of several private companies. Mr. Chernis holds a B.A. from Vassar College. |
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JAMES KENIGSBERG Mr. Kenigsberg has served as our Chief Technology Officer since July 2010 and previously as Chief Information Officer from September 2008 to June 2010. From 2000 to 2008, Mr. Kenigsberg held various leadership positions at The Princeton Review, including from 2004 to 2008 as Vice President of application development and product development. Prior to that, he served as technical project manager at Ogilvy & Mathers in 2000 and as project engineer at Thomson Reuters from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Kenigsberg attended Hunter College. |
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MATTHEW J. NORDEN Mr. Norden has served as our Chief Legal Officer since December 2019 and previously served as Co-General Counsel from August 2017 to December 2019, Deputy General Counsel from November 2014 to August 2017 and as Associate General Counsel from September 2013 to November 2014. From June 2010 to September 2013, Mr. Norden served as Vice President and General Counsel of TOMS Shoes. Prior to that, he was an associate at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, LLP. Mr. Norden holds a B.A. in Psychology from The George Washington University, a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and an M.B.A. from the Kenan-Flagler Business School of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. |
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JOHN B. ELLIS Mr. Ellis has served as our Chief Accounting Officer since May 2018. Prior to that, he served in various roles at Newell Brands, a global consumer products company, including as Vice President Finance, Transformation from February 2017 to December 2017, Vice President Treasurer & Finance Operations from December 2014 to February 2017, Vice President, Corporate Controller & Chief Accounting Officer from December 2007 to December 2014 and Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions from June 2003 to December 2007. Mr. Ellis started his career at Ernst & Young where during his ten years at the firm, he served in various accounting advisory and assurance roles. Mr. Ellis is a CPA and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from Loyola University Maryland and an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University. |
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Executive compensation.
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PROPOSAL TWO—Proposal two
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTEREDAdvisory vote to approve the company’s executive compensation
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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The Audit Committee appointed KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. As a matter of good corporate governance, the Company’s stockholders will be requested to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection at the Meeting. KPMG LLP has audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements since 2013. Although there is no requirement that KPMG LLP’s appointment be terminated if the ratification fails, the Audit Committee will consider the appointment of other independent registered public accounting firms if the stockholders choose not to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP. The Audit Committee may terminate the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm without the approval of the stockholders whenever the Audit Committee deems such termination appropriate.
KPMG LLP has affirmed that they are not aware of any relationships between KPMG LLP and the Company that may reasonably be thought to bear on their independence.
A representative of KPMG LLP is expected to be present (virtually) at the Meeting. The representative will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate stockholder questions at the Meeting.
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF
THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
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Pre‑Approval of Audit and Permissible Non‑Audit Services
The Audit Committee of our Board is responsible for the appointment, oversight and evaluation of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has the sole and direct authority to engage, appoint and replace our independent auditors. In addition, the Audit Committee has established in its charter a policy that every engagement of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to perform audit or permissible non‑audit services on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries requires pre‑approval from the Audit Committee or its designee before such independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to provide those services. Our independent registered public accounting firm may not be retained to perform the non‑audit services specified in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act. Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee reviews and, in its sole discretion, approves in advance our independent registered public accounting firm’s annual engagement letter, including the proposed fees contained therein, as well as all audit and, as provided in the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 and the SEC rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all permitted non‑audit engagements and relationships between the Company and such independent registered public accounting firm (which approval should be made after receiving input from the Company’s management, if desired). All fees for fiscal 2019 were pre‑approved by the Audit Committee.
With respect to the audit for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 the Audit Committee approved the audit services performed by KPMG LLP, as well as certain categories and types of tax and permitted non‑audit services.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
Aggregate fees for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, were:
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| Type of Fee | 2019 | 2018 |
| Audit Fees(1) |
| $2,940,177 |
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| $1,875,633 |
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| Audit‑Related Fees | — |
| — |
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| Tax Fees(2) | — |
| 20,000 |
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| All Other Fees(3) | — |
| 1,780 |
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| Total Fees |
| $2,940,177 |
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| $1,897,413 |
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(1) | Audit fees consisted of work performed in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements included in our registration statements on Form S‑3, our Annual Reports on Form 10‑K, the reviews of the unaudited quarterly financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q and statutory audit fees in overseas jurisdictions. |
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(2) | Tax fees consisted of services related to tax planning and advisory services, tax consultations and tax compliance services. |
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(3) | All other fees consisted of products and services related to an online accounting research tool. |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT*
The Board has ultimate authority and responsibility for effective corporate governance, including the role of oversight of the management of 2U. The Audit Committee’s purpose is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities to the Company and its stockholders by overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of 2U, the audits of 2U’s consolidated financial statements and the qualifications, selection and performance of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee reviews our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. The Audit Committee relies on the expertise and knowledge of management and the independent auditor in carrying out its oversight responsibilities. Management has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective systems of internal and disclosure controls, for preparing financial statements, and for the public reporting process. KPMG LLP, 2U’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and on our internal control over financial reporting.
With respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Audit Committee, among other things: oversaw the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and financial reporting processes, oversaw compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, reviewed the external auditors’ qualifications and independence (including auditor rotation), and evaluated the external auditors’ performance.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and KPMG LLP the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Audit Committee also discussed with KPMG LLP all matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Audit Committee has received from KPMG LLP the written disclosures and letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding KPMG LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee has had discussions with KPMG LLP regarding its independence from the Company and its management.
Based on the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board, and the Board approved, inclusion of the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee and the Board have selected KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2020. |
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| Submitted by the Audit Committee |
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| Robert M. Stavis (Chair)
Earl Lewis
Paul A. Maeder
Gregory K. Peters |
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* | The Audit Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing of 2U under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that 2U specifically incorporates the Audit Committee Report by reference therein. |
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PROPOSAL THREE—ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPANY’S
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
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The Dodd‑FrankDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Section 14A of the Exchange Act require a separate, nonbinding “say‑on‑pay”“say-on-pay” stockholder vote to approve the compensation of Named Executive Officers. The Board currently intends to hold this vote annually, and the next such vote is expected to occur at the 20212022 annual meeting of stockholders. The compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers and the Company’s overall executive compensation policies and procedures are described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and the tabular disclosure (together with the accompanying narrative disclosure) in this Proxy Statement.
This proposal gives you, as a stockholder, the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers through the following resolution: “RESOLVED, that the stockholders of the Company approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the tabular disclosure regarding Named Executive Officer compensation (together with the accompanying narrative disclosure) in this Proxy Statement.” Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Board and may not be construed as overruling any decision by the Board. However, the Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when evaluating the effectiveness of our compensation policies and procedures and in connection with its future executive compensation determinations. |
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| THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR”“FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE
COMPENSATION PAID TO OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DESCRIBED IN THIS
PROXY STATEMENT. |
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MANAGEMENT
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information concerning our current executive officers, including their age, as of April 30, 2020: |
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Name | Age | Position |
Christopher J. Paucek | 49 | Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Paul S. Lalljie | 47 | Chief Financial Officer |
Mark J. Chernis | 53 | Chief Operating Officer |
James Kenigsberg | 44 | Chief Technology Officer |
Matthew J. Norden | 38 | Chief Legal Officer |
John B. Ellis | 52 | Chief Accounting Officer |
Current Executive Officer Biographies
Christopher J. Paucek.
See biography of Christopher J. Paucek in “Class I—Directors with Terms Expiring at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders” above.
Paul S. Lalljie.
Paul S. Lalljie has served as our Chief Financial Officer since October 2019. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Neustar, Inc. from June 2009 to February 2018. From February 2000 until his appointment as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Lalljie held various leadership positions at Neustar, Inc., including Senior Vice President, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis, and Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations.
Mark J. Chernis.
Mr. Chernis has served as our Chief Operating Officer since May 2018. Prior to that, he served on our Board since January 2009, including as Audit Committee chair from July 2016 to April 2018. From 2011 until May 2018, Mr. Chernis served in various senior roles at Pearson, including as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Investments from January 2014 to 2018 and President & Chief Operating Officer of the K‑12 Technology Division from June 2011 to January 2014. Previously, Mr. Chernis was the President and Chief Operating Officer of SchoolNet from March 2008 until its acquisition by Pearson in 2011. From 1984 to 2007, Mr. Chernis held various positions at The Princeton Review, most recently serving as its President from 1995 to November 2007. Mr. Chernis also currently serves on the boards of several private companies. Mr. Chernis holds a B.A. from Vassar College.
James Kenigsberg.
Mr. Kenigsberg has served as our Chief Technology Officer since July 2010 and previously as Chief Information Officer from September 2008 to June 2010. From 2000 to 2008, Mr. Kenigsberg held various leadership positions at The Princeton Review, including from 2004 to 2008 as Vice President of application development and product development. Prior to that, he served as technical project manager at Ogilvy & Mathers in 2000 and as project engineer at Thomson Reuters from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Kenigsberg attended Hunter College.
Matthew J. Norden.
Mr. Norden has served as our Chief Legal Officer since December 2019 and previously served as Co-General Counsel from August 2017 to December 2019, Deputy General Counsel from November 2014 to August 2017 and as Associate General Counsel from September 2013 to November 2014. From June 2010 to September 2013, Mr. Norden served as Vice President and General Counsel of TOMS Shoes. Prior to that, he was an associate at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, LLP. Mr. Norden holds a B.A. in Psychology from The George Washington University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
John B. Ellis.
Mr. Ellis has served as our Chief Accounting Officer since May 2018. Prior to that, he served in various roles at Newell Brands, a global consumer products company, including as Vice President Finance, Transformation from February 2017 to December 2017, Vice President Treasurer & Finance Operations from December 2014 to February 2017, Vice President, Corporate Controller & Chief Accounting Officer from December 2007 to December 2014 and Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions from June 2003 to December 2007. Mr. Ellis started his career at Ernst & Young where during his ten years at the firm, he served in various accounting advisory and assurance roles. Mr. Ellis is a CPA and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from Loyola University Maryland and an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussiondiscussion and Analysisanalysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides an overview of the material components of our executive compensation program during fiscal year 20192020 for:
Christopher J. Paucek, our Chief Executive Officer and Director;
Paul S. Lalljie, our Chief Financial Officer;
Catherine A. Graham, our former Chief Financial Officer;
Mark J. Chernis, our Chief Operating Officer;
Harsha Mokkarala, our Chief Revenue Officer;
James Kenigsberg, our Chief Technology Officer; and
Matthew J. Norden, our Chief Legal Officer.
In October 2019, Mr. Mokkarala transitioned from focusing on Company-wide marketing and sales to focusing on marketing, sales and product development for our boot camp business. Mr. Mokkarala remains our Chief Revenue Officer but was not an executive officer at fiscal year-end. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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CHRISTOPHER J. PAUCEK | PAUL S. LALLJIE | MARK J. CHERNIS | JAMES KENIGSBERG | MATTHEW J. NORDEN |
our Chief Executive
Officer and Director | our Chief Financial
Officer | our Chief Operating
Officer | our Chief Technology
Officer | our Chief Legal Officer |
We refer to these individuals collectively in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the accompanying compensation tables as our Named Executive Officers.Officers or NEOs. The compensation provided to our Named Executive OfficersNEOs for fiscal year 20192020 is set forth in detail in the Summary Compensation Table and other tables that follow this section, as well as the accompanying footnotes and narratives relating to those tables. This section also discusses our executive compensation philosophy, objectives and design; how and why the Compensation Committee of our Board arrived at the specific compensation policies and decisions involving our Named Executive Officers,NEOs during fiscal year 2019;2020; the role of Compensia, our outside compensation consultant; and the peer group used in evaluating executive officer compensation.
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis contains forward‑lookingforward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation plans and arrangements. The actual compensation plans and arrangements that we adopt may differ materially from currently anticipated plans and arrangements as summarized in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
Executive Summary
Significant 2019 Business Highlights
2019 was a year of tremendous progress in positioning the Company for the future of higher educationFinancial and the future of society. In 2019, the Company:
Delivered full-year revenue growth of 40%.
Made significant investments in new product launches and product lines, which resulted in a short-term increase in losses in order to drive future growth and solidify its leadership position long-term.
Added the boot camp product line and doubled its partner base through the acquisition of Trilogy, creating a new entry point on the Career Curriculum Continuum and radically expanding its capabilities to meet demand in STEM disciplines.
Launched 17 new graduate programs, enhancing its leadership position in the market by adding offerings across more universities and academic disciplines.
Continued to bolster the senior leadership team to prepare for increased scale, adding decades of experience across our finance, marketing, and product teams.
University demand is increasing and more students are taking blended or fully digital courses than ever before.
business highlights
The Company isdelivered strong results in 2020, marked by significant achievements in revenue growth, margin improvement and progress towards positive free cash flow. These results were driven by higher student demand across our portfolio, operational and marketing efficiencies, and continued investment in launching new in-demand offerings. The events of 2020 validated the importance of high-quality, digital education. In a market leader in helping nonprofit collegeschallenging operational environment, we continued to build, deliver and universities succeed in the digital age and issupport a trusted partner and brand steward to 73 leading institutions. Our shared success model allows our university clients to launch online offerings without significant financial risk and to focus resources on other core academic or institutional priorities.
The Company builds, delivers, and supports a portfoliogrowing variety of more than 400 digital and in-person educational offerings, including graduate degrees, undergraduate degrees, professional certificates, boot camps, and short courses, across the Career Curriculum Continuum.
Together with its university clients, the Company has positively transformed the lives of more than 215,000lifelong learning opportunities for students.
Higher education is a powerful driver of upward social mobility. The Company increases access to high-quality educational offerings.
Our degree offerings in licensure-based disciplines help train the next generation of health care workers across fields including nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and others.
Our boot camps are re-skilling and up-skilling workers to fill the tech-driven jobs of today and tomorrow. These offerings provide access to high quality, in-demand training to underserved populations.
Evolving our Executive Compensation Program and Consideration of “Say‑on‑Pay” Voting Results
At the Company’s 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company’s say-on-pay vote garnered stockholder support of 34% of the shares present or represented by proxy. We were disappointed in this outcome and, in response, have implemented meaningful changes to our executive compensation practices based on feedback from our stockholders on potential improvements to our executive compensation programs and the Compensation Committee’s consideration of best practices in corporate governance. The Compensation Committee established base salaries and the structure and amount of equity awards for our Named Executive Officers prior to the say-on-pay vote regarding 2018 executive compensation, which took place in June 2019. Consequently, some changes that the Compensation Committee implemented in response to the say-on-pay vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders did not take effect until 2020.
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•Generated $775 million in revenue, up 35% compared to 2019. | | •Strengthened our balance sheet, ending 2020 with a cash balance of $519 million. |
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What we heard•Launched over 100 new offerings,including graduate and undergraduate degrees, boot camps, and short courses. | | How we responded•Enrolled 99,000 new students across our suite of offerings. |
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The special one-time equity grant •Provided critical support to our CEO in April 2018existing and resulting magnitude of his overall 2018 compensation was not adequately aligned with our pay for performance philosophy.
new university clients, including flexible models to help universities address their reopening plan needs.
| | The Compensation Committee did not make any special or off-cycle equity awards to Mr. Paucek in 2019. Mr. Paucek’s total annual compensation in 2019 (as reported in the Summary Compensation Table) increased less than 0.5% over his total annual compensation for 2018 (as reported in the Summary Compensation Table not•Added six new university clients, including the special one-time equity grant made in April 2018).
Michigan State, Ohio State, Amherst, Colgate, Norfolk State, and Stanford.
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Named Executive Officer compensation structure should have performance-based components to incentivize Company performance and align the interests of our top executives with those of our stockholders.
| | The Compensation Committee introduced a relative total stockholder return metric to our long-term equity compensation program for our Named Executive Officers. As a result of this increased focus on performance-based metrics, in 2019 approximately 88% of total target compensation was variable, or “at-risk”, on average, for our Named Executive Officers and in 2020, we expect that approximately 90% of total target compensation will be at-risk.
We adhered to our pre-established metrics under our bonus program and did not make any payouts to our Named Executive Officers under our 2019 bonus plan, which was based on achievement of revenue and adjusted EBITDA targets, when Company performance fell below threshold performance levels.
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The Company does not have stock ownership guidelines or•Delivered operating cash flow of $29.6 million, a clawback policy that would serve$81.6 million improvement compared to further mitigate risk and align executive interests with those of our stockholders.
2019.
| | The Company adopted:
• stock ownership guidelines for all of our Named Executive Officers and non-employee directors; andSignificantly increased addressable •market a clawback policy that applies to all executive officers and allows the Company to recoup cash and equity incentive compensation in the event of a financial restatement due to material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirement.first undergraduate degree program launches.
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Executive Compensation Highlights2020 executive compensation program highlights
Consistent with our general compensation philosophy, we strive to provide a compensation package to each executive officer, including our Named Executive Officers,NEO that is competitive, rewards achievement of our business objectives, drives the development of a successful and growing business, and aligns the interests of our Named Executive OfficersNEOs with our stockholders through equity ownership in the Company.stockholders. Our 20192020 compensation actions and decisions reflect ourthe Company’s strong financial results and business performance and the significant contributions our Named Executive Officers’ accomplishments that helped achieve these results and performance.NEOs made to drive this success.
The Compensation Committee took the following key actions with regard to its reviewour executive compensation program for fiscal 2020:
•Cash Compensation: Adjusted the base salaries for Mr. Paucek and analysisMr. Norden to maintain market competitiveness. Adopted a bonus plan that aligned NEOs' short-term incentive opportunity with the Company’s focus on profitable revenue growth. The bonus plan provided for no bonus payout unless threshold levels of 2019both revenue and adjusted EBITDA performance were achieved and over-performance was capped.
•Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation: Approved a long-term equity compensation program for our Named Executive Officers:NEOs comprised 75% of performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) eligible to vest based on the Company total stockholder return (“TSR”) relative to the TSR of the companies in the Russell 3000 Index (“market-PRSUs”) and 25% of time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”).
•Severance Plan: Approved a severance plan to provide standardized severance benefits to NEOs and to address the Company’s objectives to attract and retain executive talent.
•Stock Ownership and Clawback Policies: Adopted stock ownership guidelines and a clawback policy applicable to all NEOs to align executive interests with stockholders and mitigate risk.
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▪36 | September 2018: Reviewed and assessed the peer group of comparable public companies, selected with the assistance of Compensia, our independent compensation consultant, to inform our decision‑making process and assist in ensuring that our executive compensation program is positioned to be competitive and aligned with our business objectives at the current stage of the Company’s growth; |
Key changes for 2021 executive compensation program
We have continued to evolve and enhance our executive compensation programs in response to stockholder feedback and in line with our compensation philosophy. Our 2021 executive compensation program is balanced but continues to be highly-leveraged – a significant portion of each NEO’s compensation is variable and based on results achieved. For example, we have implemented the following enhancements for 2021:
•Increased alignment of our NEOs’ compensation with achievement of the Company’s financial objectives by introducing PRSUs that are eligible to vest based on Company achievement of financial metrics, with performance measured over three one-year performance periods.
•Improved the retentive features of our long-term equity incentive compensation by adjusting our NEOs’ annual equity award mix to be comprised of 50% PRSUs and 50% RSUs.
•Balanced short- and long-term performance measurement periods by lengthening the performance period for the market-PRSUs to three years.
•Introduced achievement of diversity, equity and inclusion goals as a performance category the Compensation Committee will consider in determining payouts under the 2021 bonus plan.
2020 performance highlights
As detailed further below, the cornerstone of our compensation philosophy is pay-for-performance. In 2020, we performed well against the performance measures relevant for the variable components of our executive compensation program.
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▪2020 BONUS PLAN |
| January 2019: Consistent with the Company’s pay for performance philosophy, the Compensation Committee approved a bonus plan with payout tied to achievement of revenue and adjusted EBITDA targets; | |
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▪PRSUs - 2U TSR RELATIVE TO RUSSELL 3000 | April 2019: Approved annual equity awards to our Named Executive Officers, at levels consistent with our philosophy of more heavily weighting equity ownership, to address our retention objectives, reward individual performance and align the long‑term interests of Named Executive Officers with those of our stockholders; |
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▪ | April 2019: As a result of its overall review, including comparisons against our peer group, increased the base salary for all of our Named Executive Officers; | |
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▪ | October 2019: Granted PRSUs, other than to the CEO, that are eligible to vest based on the Company’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) relative to the TSR of the companies in the Russell 3000 Index, in order to encourage retention of our executives and increase the alignment of our executive compensation structure with Company performance and stockholder value; and
2021 Proxy Statement | 37 |
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▪ | February 2020: Consistent with the Company’s pay for performance philosophy, the Compensation Committee determined not to make any payouts to Named Executive Officers under the 2019 Bonus Plan because the Company’s performance fell below threshold performance levels for revenue and adjusted EBITDA. |
Payouts under the Company’s annual performance-based bonus plan for 2020 and determination of the achievement percentage for the first performance period of the PRSUs granted in October 2019 and January 2020 reflected actual performance without any adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to monitor the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and will take steps to address the challenges of long-term goal setting in our executive compensation programs.
Executive compensation best practices
We endeavor to maintain good governance standards in our executive compensation policies and practices. The Compensation Committee evaluates our executive compensation program annually to ensure that it is consistent with our short‑term and long‑term goals given the dynamic nature of our business and the market in which we compete for executive talent. Below is a summary of the executive compensation practices we have implemented to help drive executive performance, as well as practices we have chosen not to implement because we believe such practices do not support our stockholders’ long-term interests.
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What
we do
do. | What we don’t do |
üEmphasize Pay-for-Performance– Our executive compensation program is designed so that aA significant portion of NEO compensation is “at risk”“at-risk” based on Company performance, to align the interests of our executivesNEOs and stockholders.
| X No Hedging or Pledging – We prohibit our executive officers from engaging in margin, hedging, pledging or other similar transactions in our securities.
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ü | Annual “Say-on-Pay” Vote– We conduct our “say-on-pay” vote annually to allow our stockholders to provide us with their direct input on our executive compensation program, policies and practices.
| X No Excise Tax Gross-Ups – We do not provide our executive officers with excise tax gross-ups.
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ü | Compensation Recovery (“Clawback”) Policy– The incentive-based compensation paid to our executive officers is subject to an executive compensation recovery, orWe maintain a “clawback” policy for the recovery of incentive cash and equity compensation, in the event of a financial restatement due to material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirement.restatement. | X Limited Perquisites – We provide limited perquisites or other personal benefits to our Named Executive Officers.
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ü | Independent Compensation Consultant– Our Compensation Committee has retained adirectly retains an independent compensation consultant to serve as its independent advisor. The compensation consultant reports directly to our Compensation Committee and provides the Compensation Committee with competitive market data and additional information needed to make informed compensation decisions.consultant.
| X No Special Welfare or Health Benefits – Our Named Executive Officers participate in broad-based company-sponsored health and welfare benefit programs on the same basis as our other full-time, salaried employees.
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ü | Use Double-Trigger Change in Control Provisions– Our time-based equity awards contain a “double-trigger” payment provision in connection with a change in control, that is, accelerated vesting in connection with a change in control generally requires both a change-in-control of the Company and an involuntary termination of employment.control.
| X No Guaranteed Compensation Increases – We do not provide automatic or pre-scheduled increases in base salary for Named Executive Officers.
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ü | Annual Executive Compensation Review– The Compensation Committee conducts an annual review and approval of our compensation strategy, including a review and determination of our compensation peer group used for comparative purposes.group.
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ü | Avoid Undue Risk-Taking– Our compensation policies and practices are designed to discourage our executive officers from taking on or creating risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect.
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| üDirector and NEO Stock Ownership Guidelines– All of our Named Executive OfficersNEOs and non-employee directors are required to, within 5 years from becoming subject to robust stock ownership guidelines.
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| | Limited Perquisites – We provide limited perquisites or other personal benefits to our NEOs. |
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What we don’t do. | | No Hedging or Pledging – We prohibit margin, hedging, pledging or other similar transactions in our securities. |
| No Excise Tax Gross-Ups – We do not provide our NEOs with excise tax gross-ups. |
| No Special Welfare or Health Benefits – Our NEOs participate in broad-based Company-sponsored health and welfare benefit programs on the guidelines, own shares ofsame basis as our common stock having an aggregate value at least equal to (i) 3 times annualother full-time, salaried employees. |
| No Guaranteed Compensation Increases – We do not provide automatic or pre-scheduled increases in base salary for our CEO, (ii) 2 times annual base salaryNEOs. |
| No Guaranteed Bonuses – We do not provide guaranteed bonuses for our CFO, (iii) 1 times annual base salary for our other Named Executive Officers and (iv) 3 times the annual cash retainer for our non-employee directors.NEOs. |
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Compensation of our named executive officers.
Executive Compensation Philosophy, Objectivesphilosophy and Designobjectives
We operate in a highly fragmented, rapidly evolving and competitive market, and we believe that our ability to compete and succeed in this environment is directly correlated to our ability to recruit, incentivize and retain skilled teams in technology, content development, marketing and other business areas. The market for skilled personnel in the technology industry is highly competitive. Further, because of the significant nature of each new university client relationship, our senior management team is heavily involved in the identification and sales process for each university client, and their expertise is
critical in navigating the complex approval processes of large nonprofit colleges and universities. Our compensation program is designed to attract and retain talented individuals who possess the skills necessary to create long‑termlong-term value for our stockholders, grow our business while maintaining our dedicated focus on quality, and assist in the achievement of our strategic goals.
The key elements of our total compensation philosophy include the following:
Align Interests with Stockholders. We believe that equity ownership by employees, including our Named Executive Officers, is a critical retention tool and emphasizes long‑term results and aligns the interests of our employees, Named Executive Officers and stockholders. | | | | | | | | |
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| Pay-for-Performance | | Attract, Motivate and Retain Top Talent |
•A significant portion of the annual compensation of our NEOs should vary with annual business performance and each individual’s contribution to that performance. | | •Provide market-competitive compensation and employee benefits that allow us to hire and retain high-caliber individuals at all levels. |
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| Align Interests with Stockholders | | Transparency and Consistency |
•Align the interests of NEOs and stockholders through the risks and rewards of ownership of our common stock. | | •Provide an equitable framework for making compensation decisions and use clear financial metrics to enhance transparency and facilitate communication of compensation decisions. |
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Pay for Performance. Our executiveFiscal 2020 compensation program is weighted towards at‑risk, performance‑based compensation. A significant portion of our Named Executive Officers’ compensation is at‑risk and dependent upon our performance.details
Attract, Motivate and Retain Top Talent. We design our compensation structure to provide market-competitive base salaries and employee benefits that allow us to hire and retain high-caliber individuals at all levels. We believe our compensation programs reward results and drive excellence and consistency across the Company, while recognizing inherent differences between functions.
Our executive compensation program is designed to reflect our compensation philosophy and typically consists of three components: base salary, annual cash bonus opportunity and long‑termlong-term incentive awards. In 2019, 50% ofConsistent with our compensation philosophy, the target total target value of each Named Executive Officer’s annual long-term incentive awards was delivered in the form of options to purchase sharesdirect compensation pay mix of our common stockCEO and 50% was delivered in the form of time-based RSUs. Starting in 2020, 75% of the total target value of each Named Executive Officer’s annual long-term incentive awards is expected to be delivered in the form of performance-based RSUs (“PRSUs”) and 25% is expected to be delivered in the form of time-based RSUs.other NEOs for has been heavily weighted towards at-risk compensation.
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| 2020 CEO PAY MIX | | 2020 AVERAGE NEO PAY MIX |
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The table below summarizes how the various components of our executive compensation program are designed to achieve our compensation objectives:
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Compensation Type | | Compensation
Element | | Objective | | 2020 Structure |
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| | | | Base Salary | | Reward individual contributions and compensate executives for day-to-day responsibilities
| | Fixed cash compensation |
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| | | Annual
Performance-
Based Bonus | | Drive targeted corporate business goals as measured by financial metrics | | Based on achievement of revenue and adjusted EBITDA targets |
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| | | Long-Term
Equity
Compensation | | Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units |
| | | Motivate executives to achieve key long-term strategic financial objectives and stock price appreciation; provides retention incentive | | 75% of annual equity award; vests annually based on relative TSR over three one-year performance periods |
| | | Time-Based Restricted Stock Units |
| | | Encourage executive stock ownership and stockholder-alignment; provides retention incentive | | 25% of annual equity award; vests annually over three years |
Base salary
We provide base salaries to our NEOs and highlightsother employees to compensate them for services rendered day-to-day during the year and provide a level of stable fixed compensation. Each NEO’s initial base salary was established as the result of an arm’s-length negotiation with the individual at the time of hiring, and is reviewed annually, as well as at the time of a promotion or other change in responsibilities. We generally do not apply specific formulas to determine changes madein base salary. Rather, our Compensation Committee oversees the review of base salaries for our NEOs on an annual basis following the completion of the fiscal year and makes adjustments as it determines to be reasonable and necessary based on the factors set forth in the section entitled “Process for Setting Compensation—Role of Compensation Committee”.
In January 2020, in connection with its annual review of our executive compensation program, our Compensation Committee approved increases to the base salaries of Mr. Paucek and Mr. Norden, and determined to maintain the base salaries of the other NEOs at current levels. Our Compensation Committee based these decisions on various factors, including review of the market data analysis provided by the independent compensation consultant, individual performance and contribution to the Company, level of experience and responsibilities, criticality and uniqueness of roles and the recommendation of the CEO (other than with respect to his own base salary).
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| Named Executive Officer | 2020 Base Salary ($)(1) |
| 2019 Base Salary ($)(1) |
| Percentage Increase |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 660,000 | (2) | 561,000 | | 18% |
| Paul S. Lalljie | 515,000 | | 515,000 | | — |
| Mark J. Chernis | 515,000 | | 515,000 | (3) | — |
| James Kenigsberg | 410,000 | | 410,000 | | — |
| Matthew J. Norden | 400,000 | | 360,000 | (4) | 11% |
(1)For 2020, base salary changes were effective January 1, 2020. For 2019, base salary changes were effective April 1, 2019. Therefore, 2019 base salaries set forth in the Summary Compensation Table are less than the amounts stated in these columns because our NEOs received their prior year base salaries from January 1st through March 31st of 2019.
(2)Effective April 1, 2020, at Mr. Paucek’s request, the Compensation Committee reduced his base salary to his base salary in effect for 2019, which reduction remained in effect until July 1, 2020. Therefore, Mr. Paucek’s 2020 base salary set forth in the Summary Compensation Table is less than the amount stated in this column.
(3)Mr. Chernis’ base salary was $433,000 from April 1, 2019 through October 16, 2019. On October 16, 2019, the Compensation Committee approved an increase to 2020:Mr. Chernis’ base salary to $515,000 in consideration of Mr. Chernis’ additional responsibilities following the Trilogy acquisition and in an effort to maintain internal pay equity following Mr. Lalljie’s hiring as Chief Financial Officer.
(4)Mr. Norden’s base salary was $328,000 from April 1, 2019 through November 16, 2019. On November 16, 2019, Mr. Norden’s base salary was increased to $360,000 in connection with his promotion to Chief Legal Officer.
Our executiveWe use performance-based annual cash bonuses to motivate our employees, including our NEOs, to achieve our short-term financial and operational objectives while making progress towards our longer-term goals. Each NEO’s initial target bonus percentage was established as the result of an arm’s length negotiation with the individual at the time of hiring, and is reviewed annually, as well as at the time of a promotion or other change in responsibilities. At the beginning of each year, the Compensation Committee determines the structure of the annual cash bonus plan for the year and sets the target bonus opportunities for each NEO based on the factors set forth in “Process for Setting Compensation—Role of Compensation Committee”.
2020 bonus plan – target bonus opportunities
In February 2020, the Compensation Committee set the target annual bonus opportunities for each NEO and determined not to make any changes to the target bonus percentages that were in effect for 2019. The Compensation Committee based this decision on various factors, including review of the market data analysis provided by the independent compensation program has been heavily weighted towards at-riskconsultant, the recommendation of the CEO (other than with respect to his own target bonus opportunity) and the Compensation Committee’s belief that higher base salaries for Mr. Paucek and Mr. Norden and higher annual equity award amounts for certain other NEOs would maintain the competitiveness of our NEOs’ target total direct compensation.
Under the bonus plan in effect for 2020 (“2020 Bonus Plan”), the target annual bonus opportunity of each NEO was as follows:
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| Named Executive Officer | 2020 Eligible Base Compensation ($) | Target Bonus Percentage | Target Bonus Payout ($) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 660,000 | 100% | 660,000 |
| Paul S. Lalljie | 515,000 | 100% | 515,000 |
| Mark J. Chernis | 515,000 | 100% | 515,000 |
| James Kenigsberg | 410,000 | 70% | 287,000 |
| Matthew J. Norden | 400,000 | 60% | 240,000 |
2020 bonus plan – corporate performance measures
At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee determines the structure of the annual cash bonus plan, including which performance measures should be used and the correlation between achievement levels for each performance measure and funding of the bonus pool. For the 2020 Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee selected revenue and adjusted EBITDA, each measured on a consolidated basis. The Compensation Committee selected these performance measures because the Compensation Committee believed these performance measures align our NEO incentive opportunities with the Company’s focus on profitable revenue growth. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is defined as net income or net loss, as applicable, before net interest income (expense), taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, foreign currency gains or losses, deferred revenue fair value adjustments, transaction costs, integration costs, restructuring-related costs, shareholder activism costs, certain litigation-related costs, consisting of fees for certain non-ordinary course litigation and other proceedings, impairment charges, losses on debt extinguishment and stock-based compensation expense.
The target levels for the revenue and adjusted EBITDA performance measures were based on our 2020 goals and were set at levels necessary to provide a competitive overall compensation package and to motivate employees to achieve aggressive growth and profitability targets. The Compensation Committee believed these targets were achievable, but appropriately challenging, based on market climate and internal forecasting. The Compensation Committee retained discretion to make appropriate adjustments to the 2020 Bonus Plan, positively or negatively, based on additional considerations or extraordinary events.
Funding of the bonus pool under the 2020 Bonus Plan was contingent on achievement of a minimum threshold level for each performance measure and was capped at a maximum achievement level for each performance measure. The revenue measure generally increased the bonus pool by 5% for every 1% of achievement above the target performance level for revenue up to 102.9% and 10% for every 1% of achievement above 103% of the target performance level for revenue (up to the maximum). The revenue measure generally decreased the bonus pool by 10% for every 1% of shortfall below the target performance level for revenue (down to the threshold). The adjusted EBITDA measure generally increased the bonus pool by 1.5% for every 1% achievement over the target performance level for adjusted EBITDA (up to the maximum) and generally decreased the bonus pool by 1% for every 1% of shortfall below the target performance level for adjusted EBITDA (down to the threshold). Performance between achievement levels is interpolated on a straight-line basis.
The achievement levels for each performance measure necessary for the bonus pool to be funded at the threshold, target or maximum level and the corresponding funding percentages were as follows:
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| | | Performance |
| Performance Metric | 2020 Target (in millions) | | Below Threshold | Threshold | Target | Maximum |
| Revenue | $ | 750.2 | | | < 93% | 93% | 100% | 107% |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 6.1 | | | < 93% | 93% | 100% | 107% |
| | | Funding(1) |
| Bonus Pool Funding (as a percentage of target) | | | 0% | 23% | 100% | 170.5% |
(1)Bonus pool funds at 0% if Company performance against either the revenue or adjusted EBITDA target falls below 93% of the target.
For 2020, our performance against the targets for the performance measures was $774.5 million, or 103% of target, with respect to revenue, and $16.1 million, or 263% of target, with respect to adjusted EBITDA. The performance with respect to adjusted EBITDA was over the maximum achievement allowed by the 2020 Bonus Plan, and therefore was capped at the maximum — 107% of target. In February 2020, the Compensation Committee determined to make the following payouts under the 2020 Bonus Plan to our NEOs based on the Company’s performance against the corporate performance measures:
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| Named Executive Officer | Bonus Payout ($) | % of Target Bonus |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 792,000 | 120% |
| Paul S. Lalljie | 618,000 | 120% |
| Mark J. Chernis | 618,000 | 120% |
| James Kenigsberg | 344,400 | 120% |
| Matthew J. Norden | 288,000 | 120% |
Long-term incentive compensation
We use long-term incentive compensation in the form of long‑term equity incentive awards. Our Compensation Committee believes that equity‑based compensation helpsawards to align our executives’ interests with the long‑term interests of our stockholders by driving achievementemployees, including our NEOs, with the interests of our strategic and financial goals. In 2019,stockholders. We believe that if our Named Executive Officers received 50% of their annual equity award in the form of time-based RSUs and 50% in the form of stock options. We grant options with exercise prices equal to the fair market valueemployees own shares of our common stock in amounts that are significant to them, they will have a strong incentive to act to maximize long-term stockholder value. Prior to 2020, we relied on options to purchase shares of our common stock and RSUs as the date of grant so that recipients are only rewardedprincipal vehicles for delivering long-term incentive compensation opportunities to the extent that our stock price appreciates following the grant date. Although we believe that options can provide an appropriate long‑term incentive for recipients and align the interests of recipients and stockholders, startingNEOs. Starting in 2020, the Compensation Committee replaced options with PRSUs partly in response to shareholder feedback that a larger portion of our equity awards be tied to performance metrics. Time-basedWe believe that PRSUs provide an appropriate long-term incentive for recipients and align the interests of recipients and stockholders. RSUs, while also providing an appropriate long‑termlong-term incentive to recipients, due to their long‑term vesting schedules, effectively manage dilution to existing investors and provide greater transparency and predictability to recipientsNEOs. In determining the size of the equity awards granted to our NEOs, the Compensation Committee considers the factors set forth in the section entitled “Process for Setting Compensation—Role of Compensation Committee”. The Compensation Committee also considers the dilutive effect of our long-term incentive compensation practices, and the overall impact that these equity awards, as well as awards to other employees, will have on stockholder value. The Compensation Committee also applies its subjective judgment to determine the appropriate size of each NEO’s equity award.
The size of the annual equity award granted to each NEO is based on a target dollar value. The number of PRSUs and RSUs granted to each NEO is calculated by dividing the appropriate portion of the total dollar value consisting of PRSUs or RSUs, as applicable, by the value of their compensation.a share of our common stock on the grant date.
To secure2020 equity awards
In 2020, our NEOs' annual equity awards were comprised of 75% market-PRSUs and 25% RSUs.
The RSUs vest in equal annual installments over a three year period. The market-PRSUs are eligible to vest, if at all, based on the servicesCompany’s relative TSR as compared to the TSR of key employeesthe companies that comprise the Russell 3000 Index, as measured over three one-year performance periods commencing on January 1, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. At the end of a performance period, the number of market-PRSUs that vest will be determined based on the Company’s relative TSR, applying a multiplier based on a framework set by the Compensation Committee prior to the start of the applicable performance period. The table below sets forth the award multiplier framework applicable to the first performance period of the market-PRSUs granted in January 2020, with performance between any of the following levels interpolated on a straight-line basis:
| | | | | |
2U TSR Compared to Index(1) | Award Multiplier |
| < 25th percentile | 0% |
| 25th percentile | 50% |
| 50th percentile | 100% |
| > 75th percentile | 200% |
(1)Prior to the start of the second performance period, the Compensation Committee determined that the same award multipliers would apply to the second performance period of the market-PRSUs granted in January 2020. The Compensation Committee will set the award multipliers applicable to the third performance period of the market-PRSUs granted in January 2020 prior to the start of the third performance period.
In determining the amount of each NEO's equity award, the Compensation Committee took into consideration the market data analysis provided by the independent compensation consultant, individual performance and contribution to the Company, level of experience and responsibilities, criticality and uniqueness of roles and the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (except with respect to his own equity award). Equity awards made to NEOs in 2020 also reflected the Compensation Committee’s desire to retain our NEOs during a period the Compensation Committee believed would be critical to the Company’s growth and long-term strategic success. The equity awards granted to the NEOs in 2020 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Named Executive Officer | RSUs Granted (number of shares) (#) | RSUs Granted (grant date fair value) ($) | PRSUs Granted (number of shares)(1) (#) | PRSUs Granted (grant date fair value)(1) ($) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 118,561 | 2,324,981 | 118,561 | | 2,661,694 | |
| Paul S. Lalljie | 59,280 | 1,162,481 | 59,280 | | 1,330,836 | |
| Mark J. Chernis | 59,280 | 1,162,481 | 59,280 | | 1,330,836 | |
James Kenigsberg(2) | 34,421 | 674,996 | 42,108 | | 945,324 | |
| Matthew J. Norden | 28,684 | 562,493 | 28,684 | | 643,956 | |
(1)Only the award multipliers for the first performance period of uncertainty causedthe PRSUs were set in part by issues facing certain2020. Therefore, amounts shown represent one-third of our university clientsthe total number of PRSUs granted to each NEO or one-third of the total value of the PRSUs awarded to each NEO, as applicable, in our Graduate Program Segment,accordance with applicable accounting rules. The Compensation Committee considered the full value of the PRSU award when making the grant.
(2)PRSUs granted include an additional 7,687 PRSUs, with a grant date fair value of $172,573, which were inadvertently omitted at the time Mr. Kenigsberg received the one-time award of PRSUs in October 2019.
In January 2021, the Compensation Committee determined that for the first performance period, the Company’s TSR was in the 85th percentile as compared to the TSR of the companies that comprise the Russell 3000 Index, and accordingly, 200% of the PRSUs eligible to be earned for the first performance period vested.
2019 ourPRSU grant and achievement
In October 2019, the Compensation Committee granted performance-based equity incentive awards in the form of PRSUsmarket-PRSUs to certain employees, including our Named Executive OfficersNEOs (other than our CEO). Our Compensation Committee believed that to succeed in a highly competitive market, additional retention incentives were requireddesigned to drive leadership stability and encourage executive continuity. The Compensation Committee granted PRSUs instead of additional time-based awards in response to feedback from stockholders regarding introducing a performance-based component to our equity compensation program.
The target total direct compensation pay mix of our CEO and other Named Executive Officers for 2019 and expected for 2020 is set out below. As noted, for 2019 our CEO’s target total direct compensation was over 90% variable, or
“at-risk” and the average target total direct compensation for our other Named Executive Officers was over 85% at-risk. In 2020, we expect that the target total direct compensation for our CEO will be approximately 95% at-risk and the average target total direct compensation for our other Named Executive Officers will be approximately 90% at-risk. In addition, in 2020, we expect that approximately 72% of our CEO’s and 70%, on average, of our other Named Executive Officers’ target total direct compensation will be based on achievement of performance targets:
In general, all eligible employees, including our Named Executive Officers, participate in the same annual performance‑based bonus plan. For 2019, the Compensation Committee elected to provide annual incentives to our Named Executive Officers, in the form of PRSUs rather than cash. The PRSUs wereThese market-PRSUs are eligible to vest, if at all, based on achievementthe Company’s relative TSR as compared to the TSR of the corporate financial goalscompanies that comprise the Russell 3000 Index, as measured over one, two and three year performance periods, each commencing on October 1, 2019. At the end of a performance period, the number of market-PRSUs that vest will be determined based on the Company’s relative TSR as set forth in the 2019 Bonus Plan.table below (which applies to all three performance periods), with performance between any of the following levels interpolated on a straight-line basis:
We do not target a specific competitive position or a specific mix of compensation among base salary, bonus or long‑term incentives, although we typically consider | | | | | |
| 2U TSR Compared to Index | Award Multiplier |
| < 25th percentile | 0% |
| 25th percentile | 50% |
| 50th percentile | 100% |
| > 75th percentile | 200% |
In October 2020, the compensation practices of companies in our peer group and seek to set total compensation targets for our Named Executive Officers at or around the 75th percentile of our peers, but also may consider unique skills sets, specialized industry knowledge and other factors in making those determinations. In mid-2018 and again in early 2019, our Compensation Committee withdetermined that for the assistancefirst performance period, the Company’s TSR was in the 96th percentile as compared to the TSR of Compensia, reviewed our executive compensation program, including base salaries, bonuses, equity awards,the companies that comprise the Russell 3000 Index, and benefit programs,accordingly, 200% of the PRSUs eligible to ensure that our compensation program promotes stockholder interests and provides appropriate rewards and incentivesbe earned for our Named Executive Officers.the first performance period vested.
Process for Setting Compensationsetting compensation.
Role of Compensation Committeecompensation committee
The Compensation Committee is primarily responsible for establishing, approving and adjusting compensation arrangements for our Named Executive Officers,NEOs, including our Chief Executive Officer, and for reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to these compensation arrangements, evaluating executive performance and considering factors related to the performance of the Company, including accomplishment of our long‑termlong-term business and financial goals. The Compensation Committee reviews the compensation of our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers,NEOs, on an annual basis, or more frequently in certain situations, to ensure the executives are properly incentivized, and makes adjustments as necessary. In determining base salaries, bonus targets and equity incentive awards for our Named Executive Officers,NEOs, our Compensation Committee considers the following factors:
•our performance in the previous year, based on financial and non-financial metrics;
•the Named Executive Officers’NEO’s historical compensation levels;
•the Named Executive Officers’NEO’s role, responsibilities and skills;
•the proposed compensation packages for other Named Executive OfficersNEOs (internal pay equity);
•compensation trends and the market compensation for comparable positions;
•individual performance as compared to our expectations and objectives;
•our desire to drive short‑short- and long‑termlong-term results that are in the best interests of our stockholders; and
•our outlook and operating plan for the upcoming year.
As part of this review, the Compensation Committee is provided with relevant information, such as the competitive market data described further below, to use as a reference when setting each individual compensation element and target total direct compensation levels.
Role of Managementmanagement
In carrying out its responsibilities, our Compensation Committee works with members of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Legal Officer, and other human resources, finance, and legal professionals. Typically, our management assists the Compensation Committee by providing information on corporate and individual performance and management’s perspective and recommendations on compensation matters. Our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Legal Officer and other members of our human resources, finance and legal departments may attend meetings of the Compensation Committee to present information and answer questions. Our Chief Executive Officer may also make recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding compensation for our Named Executive Officers,NEOs, other than for himself, because of his daily involvement with our Named Executive Officers.NEOs. Our Compensation Committee solicits and reviews our Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations as one of several factors in making compensation decisions, along with recommendations and market data obtained byfrom our compensation consultant, and the Compensation Committee’s own independent judgment. No
Named Executive Officer NEO participates directly in the final deliberations or determinations regarding his or hertheir own compensation package.
Role of Compensation Consultantcompensation consultant
The Compensation Committee is authorized to retain the services of one or more executive compensation advisors, as it sees fit, in connection with oversight of our executive compensation program. In mid-2018,With respect to the Compensation Committee's independent compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee retainedconducts an annual assessment of the consultant’s performance and re-appoints the consultant each year. In mid-2019, the Compensation Committee re-appointed Compensia to advise on our executive compensation programs and practices and our executive compensation decisions for 20192020 given its expertise in the technology industry and its knowledge of our peer companies. During mid-2018mid-2019 and early 2019,2020, Compensia provided the following services as requested by the Compensation Committee:
•evaluated the efficacy of our existing compensation strategy and practices in supporting and reinforcing our long‑termlong-term strategic goals relative to market norms;
•reviewed and assessed our peer group of companies to understand competitive market compensation practices;
•provided and analyzed compensation market data;
•reviewed and assessed our current Named Executive OfficerNEO compensation practices and equity profile relative to our peers;
reviewed and assessed the competitiveness of our proposed employment offer for our new Chief Financial Officer;reviewed and assessed internal pay equity, including the compensation package of our current Chief Operating Officer as compared to our peer group and other technology companies with similar revenue over the last four quarters;
•provided information regarding executive retention strategies;
•provided data regarding market practices for severance and change in control plans; and
•reviewed and assessed whether our Board of Directors’non-employee director compensation policy is appropriate for a publicly traded company.
In mid‑2019, the Compensation Committee again engaged Compensia to assist with our compensation planning for 2020,company, including providing data for our overall equity and incentive plan targets and total cash compensation for our Named Executive Officers.market data.
During 2019,2020, Compensia did not perform work for the Company other than the services detailed above, and for the purposes of assisting with our compensation planning for 2020.above. The Compensation Committee has assessed each of the independence factors established by the SEC and Nasdaq and has concluded that the engagement of Compensia doesdid not raise any conflict of interest with the Company or any of its directors or executive officers. Compensia attendsattended certain Compensation Committee meetings and preparatory meetings with certain executive officers, as requested by the Compensation Committee or management.
In mid-2020, the Compensation Peer GroupCommittee conducted a competitive process for the selection of a new compensation consultant, and in October, 2021, the Compensation Committee decided to engage Willis Towers Watson to advise the Compensation Committee regarding the Company's executive compensation programs and practices and its executive compensation decisions for 2021.
Compensation peer group
As part of its deliberations, the Compensation Committee considers competitive market data and related analysis on executive compensation levels and practices that is provided by its independent compensation consultant. In September 2018,October 2019, our Compensation Committee reviewed comparative executive compensation data provided by Compensiathe independent compensation consultant and identified our compensation peer group for 20192020 compensation decisions based generally on the selection criteria described below.
|
| | | | |
| Selection Criteria | Criteria Range |
| Revenue (last four quarters) | .5x.3x – 3x the Company’s last four quarters of revenue as of September 2018
2019 |
| Market Capitalization | .25x – 4x the Company’s 30-day average market cap as of September 2019 |
| Revenue Growth | High
|
In general, the Compensation Committee believes that revenue is a more important factor in evaluating size of potential peer companies than market capitalization since market capitalization can fluctuate due to factors unrelated to a company’s underlying performance. In addition to the selection criteria noted above, the Compensation Committee sought to include U.S. headquartered companies that operate in the cloud-based SaaS or adjacent Internet software and services market and have a similar number of employees as the Company.
market. Potential peer group companies were evaluated based on the most recent data available as of September 2018.2019. With the assistance of Compensia,the independent compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee ultimately identified our peer group for 20192020 compensation decisions, consisting of the following 1719 companies. | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
AppFolio | Instructure | Paylocity Holding |
Alarm.com Benefitfocus Chegg Cornerstone OnDemand Coupa Software | LogMeInEventbrite Grubhub Guidewire Software Hubspot Instructure | LivePerson LogMeIn New Relic Paylocity Holdings Pluralsight | Q2 Holdings SVMK Tenable Holdings Zuora |
Ellie Mae | MINDBODY | RingCentral |
GrubHub | New Relic | Twilio |
Guidewire Software | Okta | Zendesk |
HubSpot | Paycom Software | |
This compensation peer group was the same asdiffered from our compensation peer group approved by the Compensation Committee for 2019 compensation decisions due to certain companies being removed because they were acquired or no longer deemed comparable in 2018 exceptterms of market capitalization and other companies being added because they fell within the parameters identified by the Compensation Committee for our peer group as described above.
In performing the executive compensation assessment for 2020, the independent compensation consultant used market data that
Mulesoft was removed as it was acquiredreflected a 75/25 blend of (1) compensation data from the peer group above and (2) Radford custom survey data for software companies with $500 million to $1 billion in
mid-2018. The table below sets forth how the Company comparesannual revenues. Collectively, we refer to the peer group
selected based ondata and the
selection criteria described above: |
| | |
Selection Criteria | 50th Percentile of Peer Group
| 2U |
Revenue (last four quarters) | $463 | 25th percentile
|
Revenue Growth | 34% | 80th percentile
|
Market Capitalization | $5.2 billion | 41st percentile
|
Radford data as the “market data.”We believe that peer group and other market comparisons are useful guidelines to measure the competitiveness of our compensation practices. However, theThe Compensation Committee has not adopted any formal benchmarking guidelines, andbut it generally uses the range of the 50th percentile to the 75th percentile of our peers as a reference point during the course of its deliberations. The Compensation Committee maintains discretion to set levels of executive compensation above or below peer levels based upon distinguishing factors such as our internal pay equity and compensation budget, individual performance and contribution to the Company, an executive’s level of experience and responsibilities, and comparability of roles within other peer companies.
Consideration of Compensationannual “say-on-pay” voting results
The compensation program for our Named Executive Officers consists of:
base salary;
performance‑based cash bonus;
long‑term equity compensation; and
employee benefits.
Each Named Executive Officer’s compensation has been designedOur stockholders have the opportunity to provide a combination of compensation that is tied to achievement of our short‑ and long‑term objectives. As our needs evolve, we intend to continue to evaluate our philosophy and compensation programs as circumstances require, and at a minimum, we expect to reviewcast an annual advisory vote on our executive compensation program annually.
Base Salaries
We provide base salaries to our Named Executive Officers and other employees to compensate them for services rendered day‑to‑day during the year and provide a level of stable fixed compensation. Each Named Executive Officer’s initial base salary was established as the result of an arm’s‑length negotiation with the individual at the time of hiring, and is reviewed annually, as well as at the time of a promotion or other change in responsibilities. We generally do not apply specific formulas to determine changes in base salary. Rather, our Compensation Committee oversees the review of base salaries of our Named Executive Officers on an annual basis following the completion of the fiscal year and makes adjustments as it determines to be reasonable and necessary to reflect the scope of a Named Executive Officer’s responsibilities, experience and performance, prior salary level, position (in the case of a promotion), market conditions and overall Company performance and other factors set forth in “Process for Setting Compensation—Role of Compensation Committee”programs (“say-on-pay vote”).
In April 2019, in connection with its annual review of Our 2020 proxy statement described our executive compensation program, our Compensation Committee approved adjustments to the base salaries of our Named Executive Officers. Our Compensation Committee based these adjustments on various factors, including, peer group comparisons, distinguishing factors such as our internal pay equity and compensation budget, individual performance and contribution to the Company, level of experience and responsibilities, uniqueness of roles as compared to peer companiesprograms for fiscal year 2019 and the recommendation of the CEO (other than with respect to his own base salary). In addition, in October 2019, in connection with Mr. Lalljie’s appointment as Chief Financial Officermeaningful changes we implemented for 2020 based on feedback from our stockholders and approval of his compensation arrangements, the Compensation Committee again reviewed the base salaries of our Named Executive Officers to consider whether adjustments were necessary to maintain internal pay equity and in response to shifting responsibilities following completion of the Trilogy acquisition and other organizational changes. The Compensation Committee also reviewed a report provided by Compensia on base salary, target bonus percentage and equity compensation for Chief Operating Officer roles at our peers as part of its review. As a result of this review and inCommittee’s consideration of Mr. Chernis’ expanded responsibilities following the acquisition of Trilogy,best practices in particular, the fact that the Chief Marketing Officer and all three product line managing directors would be reporting to Mr. Chernis, the Compensation Committee made an additional increase to Mr. Chernis’ base salary, which is reflected in the table below. |
| | | | | | |
| Named Executive Officer | | 2019 Base Salary
($)(1) |
2018 Base Salary
($)(1) |
| Percentage
Increase |
|
| Christopher J. Paucek | 561,000 | 550,000 |
| 2 | % |
| Paul S. Lalljie | 515,000 | — |
| — |
|
| Catherine A. Graham(2) | 410,000 | 390,000 |
| 5 | % |
| Mark J. Chernis | 515,000(3) | 425,000 |
| 21 | % |
| Harsha Mokkarala | 382,500 | 375,000 |
| 2 | % |
| James Kenigsberg | 410,000 | 390,000 |
| 5 | % |
| Matthew J. Norden | 360,000(4) | 322,000 |
| 12 | % |
| |
(1) | Salary changes were effective in AprilAt the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company’s advisory vote to approve executive compensation (“say-on-pay vote”) for fiscal year 2019 garnered stockholder support of 98% of the applicable year. In 2019shares present or represented by proxy. Given the strong level of support evidenced by last year’s say-on-pay vote, the Compensation Committee determined that our stockholders were generally supportive of the executive compensation philosophy and 2018, for purposes ofprogram set forth in our 2020 proxy statement, which described both our executive compensation program, ourprograms for fiscal year runs from April 1st through March 31st. Therefore, 2019 and 2018 base salaries set forth in the Summary Compensation Table below are less than the amounts stated in these columns becausemeaningful changes we implemented for 2020 based on feedback from our Named Executive Officers received their prior year base salaries from January 1st through March 31st of the applicable year.
|
| |
(2) | Ms. Graham retired from the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective October 14, 2019; however, she continues to provide advisory services to the Company as a part-time employeestockholders and receives a salary of $200,000 per year. |
| |
(3) | Mr. Chernis’ base salary was $433,000 from April 1, 2019 through October 16, 2019. On October 16, 2019 the Compensation Committee approved an increase to Mr. Chernis’ base salary to $515,000 inCommittee’s consideration of Mr. Chernis’ additional responsibilities following the Trilogy acquisition andbest practices in an effort to maintain internal pay equity following Mr. Lalljie’s hiring as Chief Financial Officer. |
| |
(4) | Mr. Norden’s base salary was $328,000 from April 1, 2019 through November 16, 2019. On November 16, 2019, Mr. Norden’s base salary was increased to $360,000 in connection with his promotion to Chief Legal Officer. |
Performance‑Based Annual Bonuses
We typically use performance‑based annual cash bonuses (expressed as a percentage of base salary) to motivate our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, to achieve our short‑term financial and operational objectives while making progress towards our longer‑term growth and other goals. Each Named Executive Officer’s initial target bonus percentage was established as the result of an arm’s length negotiation with the individual at the time of hiring, and is reviewed annually, as well as at the time of a promotion or other change in responsibilities. At the end of each year, our Board approves our operating plan for the next fiscal year, which includes corporate performance objectives. At the beginning of each year, the Compensation Committee uses these performance objectives to structure the annual cash bonus plan for the year.
2019 Bonus Plan
In January 2019, the Compensation Committee approved the 2019 Bonus Plan for our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, taking into consideration a competitive market analysis performed by Compensia, the
recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (except with respect to his own target annual cash bonus opportunity) and the other factors described above. In connection with this review in January 2019, the Compensation Committee determined not to make any change in the target bonus percentages that were in effect for 2018. In making this determination, the Compensation Committee considered the fact that total target bonus payouts would still increase as a result of higher eligible base compensation, which the Compensation Committee believed would maintain the competitiveness of our Named Executive Officers’ target total cash compensation opportunities. In October 2019, in connection with Mr. Lalljie’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer and approval of his compensation arrangements, the Compensation Committee again reviewed the target annual cash bonus opportunities of our Named Executive Officers to consider whether adjustments were necessary to maintain internal pay equity and in response to shifting responsibilities following completion of the Trilogy acquisition and other organizational changes. The Compensation Committee also reviewed a report provided by Compensia on base salary, target bonus percentage and equity compensation for Chief Operating Officer roles at our peer group companies and other technology companies with similar revenue over the last four quarters as part of its review. As a result of this review and in consideration of Mr. Chernis’ expanded responsibilities following the acquisition of Trilogy, in particular, the fact that the Chief Marketing Officer and all three product line managing directors would be reporting to Mr. Chernis, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. Chernis’ target bonus percentage to 100% of his annual base salary.
Under the 2019 Bonus Plan, the target annual bonus opportunities of the Named Executive Officers for 2019 were as follows: |
| | | | |
| Named Executive Officer | 2019 Eligible Base
Compensation ($) | Target Bonus
Percentage |
| Target Bonus
Payout ($) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 561,000 | 100 | % | 561,000 |
| Paul S. Lalljie | 515,000 | 100 | % | 515,000 |
| Catherine A. Graham | 410,000 | 75 | % | 307,500 |
| Mark J. Chernis(1) | 515,000 | 100 | % | 515,000 |
| Harsha Mokkarala | 382,500 | 60 | % | 229,500 |
| James Kenigsberg | 410,000 | 70 | % | 287,000 |
| Matthew J. Norden(2) | 360,000 | 60 | % | 216,000 |
| |
(1) | On October 16, 2019 the Compensation Committee approved an increase to Mr. Chernis’ target bonus percentage from 75% to 100% of his base salary in consideration of Mr. Chernis’ additional responsibilities following the Trilogy acquisition and in an effort to maintain internal pay equity following Mr. Lalljie’s hiring as Chief Financial Officer. |
| |
(2) | On November 16, 2019, in connection with his promotion to Chief Legal Officer, Mr. Norden’s annual base salary was increased from $328,000 to $360,000. The 2019 Bonus Plan contemplated that certain executives (other than executive officers at the time the 2019 Bonus Plan was adopted) would receive 125% of their eligible target bonus amount. Mr. Norden was not an executive officer at the time the 2019 Bonus Plan was adopted, therefore he was eligible to receive 125% of his target bonus amount. |
At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee determines which key performance measures should be used for the Company’s annual bonus plan. The 2019 Bonus Plan was based on the achievement of two performance measures: revenue and adjusted EBITDA, each calculated on a consolidated basis but excluding the financial impact of any mergers and acquisitions activity. Revenue was given a weighting of 60% and adjusted EBITDA was given a weighting of 40%. These measures were selected as performance measures under our annual bonus plan because the Compensation Committee believes they support our financial objectives and promote the creation of long-term stockholder value. The target level for our revenue and adjusted EBITDA measures were based on stretch goals over our 2019 corporate budget, as approved by the Board. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is defined as net income or net loss, as applicable, before net interest income (expense), taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, foreign currency gains or losses, deferred revenue fair value adjustments, transaction costs, integration costs, restructuring-related costs, shareholder activism costs, impairment charges, and stock-based compensation expense.
In contrast to the 2018 bonus plan, the Compensation Committee determined not to include the number of new graduate programs signed with university clients as a performance measure for 2019 because they believed it was not necessary due to the strength of the Company’s program pipeline. In addition, the Compensation Committee believed it was appropriate to consider consolidated revenue and adjusted EBITDA in 2019, rather than only considering metrics related to the Graduate Program Segment because the integration of the short course business, which comprised the entire Alternative Credential Segment at the time the 2019 bonus plan was adopted, was largely complete. Threshold achievement levels for
each metric were set at levels necessary to provide a competitive overall compensation package and to motivate employees to achieve aggressive growth targets. We believe these performance measures align our Named Executive Officer incentive opportunities with stockholder interests through the creation of sustainable long‑term value.
In order to earn any portion of the bonus opportunity for fiscal year 2019 related to the corporate performance measures described above, achievement of a minimum threshold percentage of the target level for each such measure was required, and the maximum amount earned was capped at our achievement of a maximum percentage of the target level. The achievement levels for each performance measure necessary to receive the minimum, maximum or 100% bonus payout and the corresponding payout percentages were as follows (and performance between any of the following levels is interpolated on a straight‑line basis): |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Revenue(2) | Adjusted EBITDA(2) |
| | Achievement
Percentage | Payout
Percentage | Amount ($MM) | Achievement
Percentage | Payout
Percentage | Amount ($MM) |
| Threshold(1) | 95 | % | 52 | % | 527 | 54 | % | 80 | % | 9 |
| Target | 100 | % | 100 | % | 553 | 100 | % | 100 | % | 16 |
| Maximum | >101% |
| 115 | % | 561 | >123% |
| 110 | % | 19 |
(1) The Company’s revenue expectations were impacted in part due to issues facing certain of our university clients in the Graduate Program Segment and other externalities facing the business, as disclosed by the Company on May 7, 2019. Therefore, in June 2019, the Compensation Committee adjusted the threshold performance level for the revenue metric from $536.9 million to $526.9 million. The Compensation Committee made this adjustment in order to secure the services of key employees in a highly competitive market and in order to continue to motivate and retain employees through the remainder of 2019.
(2) Under the terms of the 2019 Bonus Plan, the financial impact of any mergers and acquisition activity is excluded when calculating the achievement level of any metric.
In order to further align the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our stockholders, the Compensation Committee determined that all Named Executive Officers would be paid in shares of our common stock rather than cash. In February 2019, each Named Executive Officer received a number of PRSUs equal to the number of shares that would vest upon maximum achievement of the performance metrics under the 2019 Bonus Plan. The PRSUs, to the extent earned, would then be eligible to vest as to 50% on the date that the Compensation Committee determines achievement of the performance criteria (the “Determination Date”) and 50% on the first anniversary of the Determination Date.
At the time the Compensation Committee set the corporate performance targets for fiscal year 2019, we believed they were challenging but achievable. For fiscal year 2019, excluding the impact of the acquisition of Trilogy, revenue was $500.3 million and adjusted EBITDA loss was $2.4 million. These results were below the threshold levels of achievement for both performance measures under our 2019 Bonus Plan and therefore, our Named Executive Officers did not receive any bonus and the PRSUs granted were forfeited. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to the separation agreement entered into with Ms. Graham upon her resignation, the Company agreed to pay her an annual bonus for 2019 of no less than $113,750 if she remained employed through December 31, 2019.
Long‑Term Incentive Compensation
We use long‑term incentive compensation in the form of equity awards to align the interests of our employees, including the Named Executive Officers, with the interest of our stockholders. We believe that if our employees own shares of our common stock in amounts that are significant to them, they will have a strong incentive to act to maximize long‑term stockholder value. For 2019, we relied on options to purchase shares of our common stock, time-based RSUs and PRSUs as the principal vehicles for delivering long‑term incentive compensation opportunities to our Named Executive Officers. We believe that options, which we grant with exercise prices equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, provide an appropriate long‑term incentive for recipients and align the interests of recipients and stockholders, since the options reward recipients only to the extent that our stock price appreciates on a sustained basis following their grant date. RSUs effectively manage dilution to existing investors and provide greater transparency and predictability to recipients in the value of their compensation. In 2019, we continued to grant time-based RSUs which provide an appropriate long-term incentive to recipients due to their long-term vesting schedules, and also introduced PRSUs to our long-term incentive compensation program in order to increase alignment between the interests of our Named Executive Officers and our
stockholders. In determining the size of the equity awards granted to our Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee takes into consideration the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (except with respect to his own equity award), the existing equity holdings of each Named Executive Officer (including the current economic value of his or her unvested equity awards), and the other factors described above. The Compensation Committee also considers the dilutive effect of our long‑term incentive compensation practices, and the overall impact that these equity awards, as well as awards to other employees, will have on stockholder value. The Compensation Committee also applies its subjective judgment to determine the appropriate size of each Named Executive Officer’s equity award.
We typically grant equity awards at the start of employment and upon promotion to each equity‑eligible employee, including our Named Executive Officers, at a pre‑established dollar value for each type of award based on a participant’s position. The exact number of stock options granted to each participant is calculated by dividing the appropriate dollar value by the Black‑Scholes value of an option to purchase a share of our common stock on the grant date. The exact number of time and performance-based restricted stock units granted to each participant is calculated by dividing the appropriate dollar value by the value of a share of our common stock on the grant date.
The Compensation Committee approves individual equity awards for new hires and promoted employees on a quarterly basis, and the grant dates of each award are typically the first business day of the quarter after the Compensation Committee has approved the grants. We typically set the exercise prices for stock options at the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. Our time‑vested stock option grants to our Named Executive Officers typically vest as follows: 25% on the first anniversary of the date of grant or, if earlier, the vesting commencement date, and 1/36th per month thereafter, until fully vested at the end of four years. These stock option grants generally have a term of 10 years from the grant date. Our time-based restricted stock units granted in 2019 and earlier typically vest in equal annual installments over a four‑year period. Performance-based restricted stock unit awards vest over a three-year period and are subject to the performance metrics described below.
2019 Equity Awards
Effective April 2019, the Compensation Committee granted annual equity awards to certain of our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, in the form of options to purchase shares of our common stock and time-based restricted stock units.
In determining the amount of each Named Executive Officer’s equity award, the Compensation Committee took into consideration the factors described above, including peer group comparisons and the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (except with respect to his own equity award).
In October 2019, the Compensation Committee granted PRSUs to certain employees, including our Named Executive Officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer) outside of our annual equity award program. The shares of our common stock subject to the performance-based restricted stock units are eligible to vest, if at all, based on the Company’s relative TSR as compared to the total stockholder return of the companies that comprise the Russell 3000 Index, as measured over one, two and three year performance periods each commencing on October 1, 2019. At the end of a performance period, the number of PRSUs that vest will be determined based on the Company’s relative TSR as set forth in the table below, with performance between any of the following levels interpolated on a straight‑line basis: |
| |
2U TSR Compared to Index | Award Multiplier |
<25th percentile | 0% |
25th percentile | 50% |
50th percentile | 100% |
> 75th percentile | 200% |
Our Compensation Committee granted these PRSUs to secure the services of key employees in a period of uncertainty caused in part by issues facing certain of our university clients in our Graduate Program Segment. Our Compensation Committee believed that to succeed in a highly competitive market, additional retention incentives were required to drive leadership stability and encourage executive continuity. The Compensation Committee granted PRSUs instead of additional time-based awards in response to feedback from stockholders regarding introducing a performance-based component to our equity compensation program.
The equity awards granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2019 were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Named Executive Officer | Stock Options
Granted
(number of
shares)
(#) | Stock Options
Granted (grant
date fair value)
($) | Time-Based RSUs
Granted
(number of
shares)
(#) | Time-Based RSUs
Granted
(grant date
fair value)
($) |
PRSUs Granted
(number of shares) (#)(1) | PRSUs Granted
(grant date fair value)
($)(1) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 83,031 |
| 2,749,987 |
| 38,183 | 2,749,940 | — |
| — |
|
| Catherine A. Graham | 43,780 |
| 1,449,994 |
| 40,133(2) | 1,791,779(2) | — |
| — |
|
| Paul S. Lalljie | — |
| — |
| 235,432(3) | 3,999,990(3) | 58,858 |
| 999,997 |
|
| Mark J. Chernis | 43,780 |
| 1,449,994 |
| 20,133 | 1,449,979 | 89,175 |
| 1,449,986 |
|
| Harsha Mokkarala | 22,644 |
| 749,970 |
| 10,413 | 749,944 | 46,125 |
| 749,993 |
|
| James Kenigsberg | 26,418 |
| 874,965 |
| 12,149 | 874,971 | 46,125 |
| 749,993 |
|
| Matthew J. Norden | 11,322 |
| 374,985 |
| 7,664(4) | 474,903(4) | 23,062 |
| 374,988 |
|
| |
(1) | These columns reflect PRSUs granted in October 2019 at their target level. Refer to “Performance Based Annual Bonuses—2019 Bonus Plan” above for information regarding PRSUs granted in lieu of the opportunity to earn 2019 cash bonuses. |
| |
(2) | Includes 20,000 RSUs granted to Ms. Graham in connection with her retirement and transition to an advisory role with the Company. These RSUs will vest on April 1, 2022. |
| |
(3) | For his 2019 annual equity award, Mr. Lalljie was granted time-based RSUs covering a number of shares equal to $1,000,000 divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. In addition, Mr. Lalljie was granted an additional one-time award of time-based RSUs covering a number of shares equal to $3,000,000 divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. |
| |
(4) | Mr. Norden was granted an additional one-time award of 2,458 time-based RSUs with a grant date fair value of $99,967 in connection with the closing of the Company’s acquisition of Trilogy. These RSUs will vest 50% on May 22, 2020 and 50% on May 22, 2021. |
Other Compensation
We offer a tuition reimbursement benefit for all of our employees, including our Named Executive Officers. Under this program, we offer our eligible employees a one‑time reimbursement of the cost of tuition to complete a 2U‑powered graduate program offered by our university clients, and we reimburse our eligible employees for the cost of one short course per rolling twelve-month period. In addition, we pay 50% of the tuition for one spouse or dependent of each eligible employee to complete one of our university clients’ eligible graduate programs.
Our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in the same group insurance and employee benefit plans generally available to our other salaried employees in the U.S. These benefits include medical, dental, vision and disability benefits and other plans and programs made available to other eligible employees. The Company also has a 401(k) plan covering eligible employees, including our Named Executive Officers. All participants in the plan, including each Named Executive Officer, are eligible to make pre‑tax contributions. The Company makes matching contributions to the 401(k) plan on behalf of our Named Executive Officers, consistent with those provided to all of our employees. We do not view perquisites or other personal benefits as a significant component of our executive compensation program. Therefore, we generally do not provide perquisites or other personal benefits to our executive officers except in situations where we believe it is appropriate to assist an individual in the performance of his or her duties, to make our executive officers more efficient and effective, and for recruitment and retention purposes.
Employment Arrangements
Please see “—Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment and in Connection with Change of Control Arrangements” for information regarding the severance provisions for our Named Executive Officers.
Other Compensation Policies
Risk Assessment
The Compensation Committee has reviewed the Company’s compensation programs for employees, including Named Executive Officers, and has concluded that these programs do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Compensation Committee believes that the design of the Company’s annual performance‑based bonus plan and long‑term equity incentives provide an effective and appropriate mix of incentives to help ensure that the Company’s performance is focused on long‑term stockholder value creation and does not encourage the taking of short‑term risks at the expense of long‑term results.
Policy regarding 10b5‑1 Plans for Directors and Executive Officers
We typically encourage our executive officers and members of our Board to adopt plans in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 10b5‑1 for sales of securities which they beneficially own, and our Insider Trading Policy expressly provides that such individuals may not trade in our equity securities during “blackout” periods.policies.
Compensation Recovery Policyrecovery policy
Our Board of Directors has adopted a compensation recovery (“clawback”) policy providing that, in the event of a restatement of financial results due to the material non-compliance by the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws, the Company may recover from any executive officer any incentive compensation erroneously paid or awarded in excess of what would have been paid under the accounting restatement. This policy covers any bonus, incentive payment or other cash compensation or equity-based award granted, earned, vested and/or received by an executive officer on or after the effective date of the policy and during the three year period preceding the date on which we are required to prepare the accounting restatement.
Executive stock ownership guidelines
In April 2020, we adopted stock ownership guidelines for our NEOs. Within five years from becoming subject to the guidelines our NEOs are required to own shares of our common stock with a value at least equal to the following:
| | | | | | | | |
| Chief Executive Officer | | 3x annual base salary |
| Chief Financial Officer | | 2x annual base salary |
| Other Covered Executives (Including all other NEOs) | | 1x annual base salary |
Shares counted towards meeting the ownership guidelines include (i) shares owned directly or indirectly, (ii) shares held by a qualifying trust, (iii) shares held by a 401(k) plan or other qualified pension or profit-sharing plan for the benefit of the executive and (iv) shares underlying vested restricted stock units where settlement of such shares has been deferred. Each executive remains subject to the stock ownership guidelines as long as they remain in their role. Exceptions to the guidelines may be made in the case of extraordinary circumstances, such as personal hardship, in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s sole discretion.
Employment arrangements
Please see “Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment and in Connection with Change of Control Arrangements” for information regarding the severance provisions for our NEOs.
Anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies
Our insider trading policy provides that no one subject to the policy, which includes all Company officers, directors and employees, as well as consultants and contractors who may have access to inside information (each, an “Insider”) may engage in the purchase of financial instruments (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds), or other transactions that hedge or offset, or are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of Company securities. Our insider trading policy further provides that no Insider may engage in hedging or monetization transactions involving our securities, pledge our securities as collateral for a loan, or hold our securities in a margin account.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT*
Risk assessment
The Compensation Committee has reviewed the Company��s compensation programs for employees, including NEOs, and has concluded that these programs do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. In reaching this conclusion, the Compensation Committee considered the following factors:
•The Company’s compensation programs are well-designed to encourage behaviors aligned with the long-term interests of stockholders;
•The Company’s compensation programs include design features that reduce the likelihood of excessive risk taking, such as reasonable performance targets, capped incentive compensation payouts, a balance of cash and stock-based incentives;
•The Company maintains policies to mitigate compensation risk, including stock ownership guidelines and a claw-back policy; and
•The Compensation Committee exercises an appropriate level of independent oversight of compensation decisions and related risk.
Policy regarding 10b5-1 plans for directors and executive officers
We typically encourage our executive officers and members of our Board to adopt plans in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 10b5-1 for sales of securities which they beneficially own, and our Insider Trading Policy expressly provides that such individuals may not trade in our equity securities during “blackout” periods.
Compensation committee report*
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on such review and discussions, we recommended to the Board, and the Board approved that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee
JohnJOHN M. Larson (Chair)LARSON (CHAIR)
ALEXIS MAYBANK
CORETHA M. RUSHING
Alexis Maybank*The Compensation Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing of 2U under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that 2U specifically incorporates the Compensation Committee Report by reference therein.
Coretha M. RushingCompensation committee interlocks and insider participation.
No director who served on the Compensation Committee during 2020 is a former or current officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, during the last completed fiscal year, none of our executive officers has served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has or has had one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee.
| | | | | |
*48 | The Compensation Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing of 2U under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that 2U specifically incorporates the Compensation Committee Report by reference therein. |
2019 Summary Compensation Table
Executive compensation tables
2020 summary compensation table.
The following table sets forth summary information regarding compensation earned during the years ended December 31,
2020, 2019
2018 and
20172018 by our
Named Executive Officers.NEOs. The following table includes all compensation earned by our
Named Executive OfficersNEOs for the respective periods, regardless of whether such amounts were actually paid during that period.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Name and Principal Position | | Year | Salary
($) |
Bonus ($) | Stock
Awards
($)(1) | Option
Awards
($)(1) | Non‑Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(2) | All Other
Compensation
($)(3) | Total
($) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 2019 | 557,042 |
| — |
| 3,299,879 |
| 2,749,987 |
| — |
| 5,600 |
| 6,612,508 |
|
| Chief Executive Officer | 2018 | 541,250 |
| — |
| 5,374,895 |
| 10,624,956 |
| 378,875 |
| 3,667 |
| 16,923,643 |
|
| | 2017 | 514,167 |
| — |
| 1,199,993 |
| 1,199,991 |
| 471,748 |
| 3,600 |
| 3,389,499 |
|
| Paul S. Lalljie(4) | 2019 | 89,735 |
| 250,000 |
| 4,999,986 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 5,339,721 |
|
| Chief Financial Officer | 2018 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
| | 2017 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
| Catherine A. Graham(5) | 2019 | 368,335 |
| 113,750 |
| 2,088,645 |
| 1,449,994 |
| — |
| 5,600 |
| 4,026,324 |
|
| Former Chief Financial Officer | 2018 | 385,625 |
| — |
| 1,449,938 |
| 1,449,962 |
| 199,125 |
| 5,500 |
| 3,490,150 |
|
| | 2017 | 367,644 |
| — |
| 749,971 |
| 749,992 |
| 236,160 |
| 3,313 |
| 2,107,080 |
|
| Mark J. Chernis | 2019 | 444,604 |
| — |
| 3,223,477 |
| 1,449,994 |
| — |
| 5,600 |
| 5,123,675 |
|
| Chief Operating Officer | 2018 | 249,883 |
| — |
| 1,674,904 |
| 1,674,964 |
| 223,125 |
| 354 |
| 3,823,230 |
|
| | 2017 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
| Harsha Mokkarala | 2019 | 380,313 |
| — |
| 1,728,215 |
| 749,970 |
| — |
| 5,600 |
| 2,864,098 |
|
| Chief Revenue Officer | 2018 | 361,292 |
| — |
| 749,968 |
| 749,962 |
| 151,743 |
| 5,500 |
| 2,018,465 |
|
| (former executive officer) | 2017 | 324,208 |
| — |
| 599,976 |
| 599,986 |
| 178,477 |
| 5,400 |
| 1,708,047 |
|
| James Kenigsberg | 2019 | 403,335 |
| — |
| 1,902,031 |
| 874,965 |
| — |
| 5,600 |
| 3,185,931 |
|
| Chief Technology Officer | 2018 | 385,625 |
| — |
| 749,968 |
| 749,962 |
| 188,956 |
| 5,500 |
| 2,080,011 |
|
| | 2017 | 370,963 |
| — |
| 599,976 |
| 599,986 |
| 238,034 |
| 2,113 |
| 1,811,072 |
|
| Matthew J. Norden | 2019 | 327,877 |
| — |
| 1,094,946 |
| 374,985 |
| — |
| 74,804 |
| 1,872,612 |
|
| Chief Legal Officer | 2018 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
| | 2017 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($)(1) | Option Awards ($)(2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3) | All Other Compensation ($)(4) | Total ($) |
Christopher J. Paucek Chief Executive Officer | 2020 | 649,973 | — | 4,986,675 | — | 792,000 | 5,700 | 6,434,348 |
| 2019 | 557,042 | — | 3,299,879 | 2,749,987 | — | 5,600 | 6,612,508 |
| 2018 | 541,250 | — | 5,374,895 | 10,624,956 | 378,875 | 3,667 | 16,923,643 |
Paul S. Lalljie(5) Chief Financial Officer | 2020 | 534,808 | — | 2,493,317 | — | 618,000 | 5,700 | 3,651,825 |
| 2019 | 89,735 | 250,000 | 4,999,986 | — | — | — | 5,339,721 |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Mark J. Chernis Chief Operating Officer | 2020 | 534,808 | — | 2,493,317 | — | 618,000 | 5,700 | 3,651,825 |
| 2019 | 444,604 | — | 3,223,477 | 1,449,994 | — | 5,600 | 5,123,675 |
| 2018 | 249,883 | — | 1,674,904 | 1,674,964 | 223,125 | 354 | 3,823,230 |
James Kenigsberg Chief Technology Officer | 2020 | 425,769 | — | 1,620,320 | — | 344,400 | 2,715 | 2,393,204 |
| 2019 | 403,335 | — | 1,902,031 | 874,965 | — | 5,600 | 3,185,931 |
| 2018 | 385,625 | — | 749,968 | 749,962 | 188,956 | 5,500 | 2,080,011 |
Matthew J. Norden Chief Legal Officer | 2020 | 412,084 | — | 1,206,449 | — | 288,000 | 5,588 | 1,912,121 |
| 2019 | 327,877 | — | 1,094,946 | 374,985 | — | 74,804 | 1,872,612 |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| |
(1) | The amounts shown in these columns reflect(1)Amounts shown represent the grant date fair value for stock option, PRSU, and restricted stock unit awards, as applicable, in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Refer to the 2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table below for information regarding the assumptions used to value these awards. The amounts reported for the PRSUs granted in 2019 are based on the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions at the grant date. The Company uses a Monte Carlo model to estimate the fair value of PRSUs containing market-based vesting conditions. The maximum potential values of the PRSUs, based on the closing price per share of our common stock on the date of grant were: Mr. Paucek, $621,488 for the PRSUs granted in respect of our 2019 Bonus Plan; Mr. Lalljie, $1,999,995 for the PRSUs granted in October 2019; Ms. Graham, $335,478 for the PRSUs granted in respect of our 2019 Bonus Plan; Mr. Chernis, $2,899,971 for the PRSUs granted in October 2019 and $365,577 for the PRSUs granted in respect of our 2019 Bonus Plan; Mr. Mokkarala, $1,499,985 for the PRSUs granted in October 2019 and $258,007 for the PRSUs granted in respect of our 2019 Bonus Plan; Mr. Kenigsberg, $1,499,985 for the PRSUs granted in October 2019 and $313,088 for the PRSUs granted in respect of our 2019 Bonus Plan; and Mr. Norden, $749,976 for the PRSUs granted in October 2019 and $276,943 for the PRSUs granted in respect of our 2019 Bonus Plan. |
| |
(2) | Amounts shown in this column for 2018 and 2017 represent the cash amounts paid under our 2018 and 2017 Bonus Plans. No cash awards were granted under the 2019 Bonus Plan. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Compensation—Performance‑Based Annual Bonuses—2019 Bonus Plan” for additional information. |
| |
(3) | Amounts shown for 2019 represent 401(k) matching contributions paid by us and, for Mr. Norden, also represent tuition reimbursement payments. |
| |
(4) | Mr. Lalljie commenced employment on October 14, 2019. The amount shown in the “Bonus” column for Mr. Lalljie represents a one-time signing bonus paid to Mr. Lalljie in connection with his commencement of employment. |
| |
(5) | Ms. Graham ceased serving as our Chief Financial Officer and became a part-time employee on October 14, 2019. The amount shown in the “Bonus” column for Ms. Graham represents her guaranteed annual bonus payment for 2019. |
2019 Grants of Plan‑Based Awards Table
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to all plan‑based awards granted to our Named Executive Officers during the 2019 fiscal year. All awards were issued under our 2014 Plan. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1) | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(2) | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)(2) | Exercise Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)(3) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
($)(4) |
| Name | | Grant Date | Date of
Compensation Committee
Action | Threshold
(#) | Target
(#) | Maximum
(#) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 02/11/2019 | 02/11/2019 | 2,776 |
| 8,916 |
| 10,076 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 549,939 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 38,183 |
| — |
| — |
| 2,749,940 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 83,031 |
| 72.02 |
| 2,749,987 |
| Paul S. Lalljie | 10/14/2019 | 10/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 58,858 |
| — |
| — |
| 999,997 |
| | 10/14/2019 | 10/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 176,574 |
| — |
| — |
| 2,999,992 |
| | 10/14/2019 | 10/01/2019 | 29,429 |
| 58,858 |
| 117,716 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 999,997 |
| Catherine A. Graham | 02/11/2019 | 02/11/2019 | 1,498 |
| 4,813 |
| 5,439 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 296,866 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 20,133 |
| — |
| — |
| 1,449,979 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 43,780 |
| 72.02 |
| 1,449,994 |
| | 10/17/2019 | 10/16/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 20,000 |
| — |
| — |
| 341,800 |
| Mark J. Chernis | 02/11/2019 | 02/11/2019 | 1,633 |
| 5,245 |
| 5,927 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 323,512 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 20,133 |
| — |
| — |
| 1,449,979 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 43,780 |
| 72.02 |
| 1,449,994 |
| | 10/01/2019 | 10/01/2019 | 44,587 |
| 89,175 |
| 178,350 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 1,449,986 |
| Harsha Mokkarala | 02/11/2019 | 02/11/2019 | 1,152 |
| 3,701 |
| 4,183 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 228,278 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 10,413 |
| — |
| — |
| 749,944 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 22,644 |
| 72.02 |
| 749,970 |
| | 10/01/2019 | 10/01/2019 | 23,062 |
| 46,125 |
| 92,250 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 749,993 |
| James Kenigsberg | 02/11/2019 | 02/11/2019 | 1,398 |
| 4,492 |
| 5,076 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 277,067 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 12,149 |
| — |
| — |
| 874,971 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 26,418 |
| 72.02 |
| 874,965 |
| | 10/01/2019 | 10/01/2019 | 23,062 |
| 46,125 |
| 92,250 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 749,993 |
| Matthew J. Norden | 02/11/2019 | 02/11/2019 | 1,237 |
| 3,973 |
| 4,490 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 245,055 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 5,206 |
| — |
| — |
| 374,936 |
| | 04/01/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 11,322 |
| 72.02 |
| 374,985 |
| | 05/22/2019 | 04/01/2019 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 2,458 |
| — |
| — |
| 99,967 |
| | 10/01/2019 | 10/01/2019 | 11,531 |
| 23,062 |
| 46,124 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 374,988 |
| |
(1) | Represents PRSUs granted to the Named Executive Officers during 2019.NEOs, calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The columns show the number of shares of common stock eligible to vest at threshold, target and maximum levels of performance. PRSUs granted in February 2019 were issued in respect of our 2019 Bonus Plan and were forfeited following the Compensation Committee’s determination that the performance metrics were not met. |
| |
(2) | Represents time-based RSUs and stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers during 2019. |
| |
(3) | The exercise price of each option award is equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. |
| |
(4) | The amounts reported reflect the grant date fair value for stock option, PRSU and restricted stock unit awards, as applicable, calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated based on the fair market value on the date of grant using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model. For more information on the assumptions we used to calculate the grant date fair values for stock options, see Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10 K filed on February 28, 2020. The fair value of each RSU is measured based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The amounts reported for PRSUs are based on the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions at the grant date. The Company uses a Monte Carlo model to estimate the fair value of PRSUs containing market-based vesting conditions. The PRSUs granted in October 2019 are subject to market-based vesting conditions and the grant
|
date fair valuesvalue of such awards wereeach market-PRSU is based on the probable outcome of the market-based performance conditions on the grant date and was determined using a Monte Carlo model that utilizes stock volatility, dividend yield and the Company’s TSR relative to the TSR of the companies in the Russell 3000 Index. For more information on the assumptions we used to calculate the grant date fair values for PRSUs containing market-based vesting conditions, see Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2021. Amounts shown for 2019 for Mr. Lalljie, Mr. Chernis, Mr. Kenigsberg and Mr. Norden include the one-time grant of PRSUs made in October 2019, as further described in the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation of our Named Executive Officers—Long-Term Incentive Compensation—2019 PRSU Grant and Achievement” and PRSUs granted in lieu of the opportunity to earn 2019 cash bonuses, which were subject to financial performance conditions. The maximum potential values of the PRSUs, based on the closing price per share of our common stock on the grant date were: for Mr. Paucek, $4,649,962 for the PRSUs granted in January 2020 and $621,488 for the PRSUs granted in respect of our 2019 bonus plan; for Mr. Lalljie, $2,324,962 for the PRSUs granted in January 2020 and $1,999,995 for the PRSUs granted in October 2019; for Mr. Chernis, $2,324,962 for the PRSUs granted in January 2020, $2,899,971 for the PRSUs granted in October 2019 such inputs consisted of: (i) an expected term of three years; (ii) risk-free interest rates of 1.73%, 1.56% and 1.51%$365,577 for the PRSUs granted on October 1,in respect of our 2019 and 1.67%, 1.63% and 1.60%bonus plan; for Mr. Kenigsberg, $1,651,476 for the PRSUs granted on October 14, 2019, in each case, applicable to the respective first, second and third tranches of the awards that were derived from the yields on U.S. government bonds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury; (iii) a dividend yield of 0% because the Company does not pay dividends; (iv) stock price volatility of 74.1%January 2020, $1,499,985 for the PRSUs granted onin October 1, 2019 and 74.3%$313,088 for the PRSUs granted in respect of our 2019 bonus plan; and for Mr. Norden, $1,124,986 for the PRSUs granted in January 2020, $749,976 for the PRSUs granted in October 2019 and $276,943 for the PRSUs granted in respect of our 2019 bonus plan. The grant date fair value of each RSU and PRSU subject to financial performance conditions is based on the closing price of our stock on the date of grant.
(2)Amounts shown represent the grant date fair value for stock options granted to the NEOs, calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of each stock option is estimated based on the fair market value on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. For more information on the assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value of the options, see Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2021.
(3)Amounts shown represent the cash amounts paid under our bonus plans. See the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation of our Named Executive Officers—Performance-Based Annual Bonuses” for additional information regarding the 2020 bonus payments.
(4)Amounts shown represent 401(k) matching contributions paid by us. For Mr. Norden, amounts shown for 2019 also include tuition reimbursement payments.
(5)Mr. Lalljie commenced employment on October 14, 2019. The amount shown in the 2019 “Bonus” column for Mr. Lalljie represents a one-time signing bonus paid to Mr. Lalljie in connection with his commencement of employment.
2020 grants of plan-based awards.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to all plan-based awards granted to our NEOs during the 2020 fiscal year. All awards were issued under our 2014 Plan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) | | Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(3) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(4) |
| Name | Grant Type | Grant Date | Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | | Threshold (#) | Target (#) | Maximum (#) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | Bonus | N/A | 151,800 | 660,000 | 1,125,300 | | — | — | — | — | — |
| PRSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | 59,280 | 118,561 | 237,122 | — | 2,661,694 |
| RSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | — | — | — | 118,561 | 2,324,981 |
| Paul S. Lalljie | Bonus | N/A | 118,450 | 515,000 | 878,075 | | — | — | — | — | — |
| PRSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | 29,640 | 59,280 | 118,560 | — | 1,330,836 |
| RSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | — | — | — | 59,280 | 1,162,481 |
| Mark J. Chernis | Bonus | N/A | 118,450 | 515,000 | 878,075 | | — | — | — | — | — |
| PRSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | 29,640 | 59,280 | 118,560 | — | 1,330,836 |
| RSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | — | — | — | 59,280 | 1,162,481 |
| James Kenigsberg | Bonus | N/A | 66,010 | 287,000 | 489,335 | | — | — | — | — | — |
| PRSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | 3,843 | 7,687 | 15,374 | — | 172,573 |
| PRSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | 17,210 | 34,421 | 68,842 | — | 772,751 |
| RSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | — | — | — | 34,421 | 674,996 |
| Matthew J. Norden | Bonus | N/A | 55,200 | 240,000 | 409,200 | | — | — | — | — | — |
| PRSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | 14,342 | 28,684 | 57,368 | — | 643,956 |
| RSUs | 01/29/2020 | — | — | — | | — | — | — | 28,684 | 562,493 |
(1)Amounts shown represent the threshold, target and maximum amounts that could be paid under our 2020 Bonus Plan, as discussed in the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation of our Named Executive Officers—Performance-Based Annual Bonus.” Actual cash incentive awards earned in fiscal year 2020 by the NEO under our 2020 Bonus Plan are shown in the column titled "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)Represents PRSUs granted to the NEOs during 2020. Amounts shown represent the number of shares of common stock eligible to vest at threshold, target and maximum levels of performance. In January 2021, the Compensation Committee determined that the achievement percentage applicable for the first performance period of these PRSUs was 200%.
(3)Represents time-based RSUs granted to the NEOs during 2020, which vest annually over three years, subject to the NEO's continued employment through each case,applicable vesting date.
(4)Amounts shown represent the grant date fair value for PRSU and RSUs, as applicable, calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The fair value of each RSU is based on an analysisthe closing price of our common stock on the grant date. The fair value of each PRSU is based on the probable outcome of the historicalmarket-based performance conditions on the grant date and was determined using a Monte Carlo model that utilizes stock price volatility, dividend yield and the Company’s TSR relative to the TSR of the Company and each companycompanies in the Russell 3000 Index over the three years prior to the date of grant to conform to the term of the awards; and (v) an initial TSR performance of (9.0)% for the PRSUs granted on October 1, 2019 and (4.9)% for the PRSUs granted on October 14, 2019, in each case, basedIndex. For more information on the actual historical TSR performance ofassumptions we used to calculate the Company and each companygrant date fair values for PRSUs containing market-based vesting conditions, see Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in the Russell 3000 Index.our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2021.
Outstanding Equity Awardsequity awards at 2019 Fiscal Year End2020 fiscal year end.
The following table provides information about outstanding stock options and stock awards held by each of our Named Executive OfficersNEOs as of December 31, 2019.2020. These stock options were granted under our 2008 Plan and our 2014 Plan and these stock awards were granted under our 2014 Plan. | | | | | | Option Awards | Stock Awards | | Option Awards | | Stock Awards |
| | | | Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options | Option
Exercise |
Option | Number of
Units That
Have Not | Market
Value of
Units That
Have Not |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units That Have Not | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Units That Have Not | | Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options | | Option
Exercise
Price
($) | Option
Expiration
Date | | Number of Units That Have Not Vested (#)(1) | | Market Value of Units That Have Not Vested ($)(2) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested (#)(3) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested ($)(2) |
| Name | | Grant Date | Exercisable | Unexercisable (1) | Price ($) | Expiration Date | Vested (#)(1) | Vested ($)(2) | Vested (#)(3) | Vested ($)(2) | Name | Grant Date | Exercisable | Unexercisable(1) | |
| Christopher J. Paucek | Christopher J. Paucek | 02/23/2011 | 35,639 |
| — |
| 1.82 | 06/08/2020 | | Christopher J. Paucek | 05/08/2013 | 130,618 | — | | 5.75 | 05/08/2023 | |
| | 02/15/2012 | 11,662 |
| — |
| 3.08 | 02/15/2022 | | |
| | 05/08/2013 | 131,618 |
| — |
| 5.75 | 05/08/2023 | | |
| | 11/26/2013 | 175,000 |
| — |
| 8.45 | 10/04/2023 | | |
| | 12/19/2013 | 175,000 |
| — |
| 8.45 | 10/04/2023 | | |
| | 03/06/2014 | 157,350 |
| — |
| 11.00 | 03/06/2024 | | |
| | 04/01/2015 | 80,515 |
| — |
| 25.52 | 04/01/2025 | | |
| | 04/01/2016 | 83,290 |
| 7,572 |
| 22.67 | 04/01/2026 | 11,028 | 264,562 | | |
| | 04/01/2017 | 41,790 |
| 20,895 |
| 39.66 | 04/01/2027 | 15,129 | 362,945 | | |
| | 04/01/2018 | 29,332 |
| 41,067 |
| 84.03 | 04/01/2028 | 24,545 | 588,835 | | |
| | 04/01/2018 | 45,562 |
| 145,800(4) |
| 84.03 | 04/01/2028 | 26,776(5) | 642,356 | | |
| | 02/11/2019 | | | 2,776 | 66,596 | |
| | 04/01/2019 | — |
| 83,031 |
| 72.02 | 04/01/2029 | 38,183 | 916,010 | | |
| Christopher J. Paucek | | Christopher J. Paucek | 11/26/2013 | 175,000 | — | | 8.45 | 10/04/2023 | |
| 12/19/2013 | 175,000 | — | | 8.45 | 10/04/2023 | |
| 03/06/2014 | 157,350 | — | | 11.00 | 03/06/2024 | |
| 04/01/2015 | 80,515 | — | | 25.52 | 04/01/2025 | |
| 04/01/2016 | 90,862 | — | | 22.67 | 04/01/2026 | |
| 04/01/2017 | 57,461 | 5,224 | | 39.66 | 04/01/2027 | | 7,565 | | 302,676 | |
| 04/01/2018 | 46,932 | 23,467 | | 84.03 | 04/01/2028 | | 16,364 | | 654,724 | |
| 04/01/2018 | 72,900 | 118,462 | (4) | 84.03 | 04/01/2028 | | 22,314 | (5) | 892,783 | |
| 04/01/2019 | 34,596 | 48,435 | | 72.02 | 04/01/2029 | | 28,638 | | 1,145,806 | |
| 01/29/2020 | | 118,561 | (6) | 4,743,626 | 237,122 | 9,487,251 |
| Paul S. Lalljie | 10/14/2019 | | | 58,858(6) | 1,412,003 | 117,716 | 2,824,007 | 10/14/2019 | | 39,239 | (7) | 1,569,952 | 78,476 | 3,139,825 |
| | 10/14/2019 | | | 176,574(6) | 4,236,010 | | |
| Catherine A. Graham | 04/30/2012 | 200,000 |
| — |
| 3.08 | 04/30/2022 | | |
| | 03/06/2014 | 51,873 |
| — |
| 11.00 | 03/06/2024 | | |
| | 04/01/2015 | 28,180 |
| — |
| 25.52 | 04/01/2025 | | |
| | 04/01/2016 | 31,234 |
| 2,839 |
| 22.67 | 04/01/2026 | 4,136 | 99,223 | | |
| | 04/01/2017 | 26,118 |
| 13,060 |
| 39.66 | 04/01/2027 | 9,456 | 226,849 | | |
| | 04/01/2018 | 15,466 |
| 21,653 |
| 84.03 | 04/01/2028 | 12,942 | 310,479 | | |
| | 02/11/2019 | | | 1,498 | 35,937 | |
| | 04/01/2019 | — |
| 43,780 |
| 72.02 | 04/01/2029 | 20,133 | 482,991 | | |
| | 10/17/2019 | | | 20,000(7) | 479,800 | | |
| Paul S. Lalljie | | Paul S. Lalljie | 10/14/2019 | | 117,716 | (7) | 4,709,817 | |
| 01/29/2020 | | 59,280 | (6) | 2,371,793 | 118,560 | 4,743,586 |
| 01/17/2013 | 50,000 | — | | 5.75 | 01/17/2023 | |
| Mark J. Chernis | | Mark J. Chernis | 04/11/2014 | 7,389 | — | | 12.94 | 04/01/2024 | |
| 04/01/2015 | 4,048 | — | | 25.52 | 04/01/2025 | |
| 04/05/2016 | 4,957 | — | | 23.07 | 04/05/2026 | |
| 04/04/2017 | 2,899 | — | | 39.69 | 04/04/2027 | |
| 05/22/2018 | 22,617 | 11,308 | | 91.64 | 05/22/2028 | | 7,912 | | 316,559 | |
| 05/22/2018 | 3,509 | 1,755 | | 91.64 | 05/22/2028 | | 1,228 | | 49,132 | |
| 04/01/2019 | 18,242 | 25,538 | | 72.02 | 04/01/2029 | | 15,100 | | 604,151 | |
| 10/01/2019 | | 118,900 | 4,757,189 |
| 01/29/2020 | | 59,280 | (6) | 2,371,793 | 118,560 | 4,743,586 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Option Awards | Stock Awards |
| | | Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options | Option
Exercise |
Option | Number of
Units That
Have Not | Market
Value of
Units That
Have Not |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units That Have Not | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Units That Have Not |
| Name | | Grant Date | Exercisable | Unexercisable (1) | Price ($) | Expiration Date | Vested (#)(1) | Vested ($)(2) | Vested (#)(3) | Vested ($)(2) |
| Mark J. Chernis | 01/17/2013 | 50,000 |
| — |
| 5.75 | 01/17/2023 | | | | |
| | 04/11/2014 | 7,389 |
| — |
| 12.94 | 04/01/2024 | | | | |
| | 04/01/2015 | 4,048 |
| — |
| 25.52 | 04/01/2025 | | | | |
| | 04/05/2016 | 4,957 |
| — |
| 23.07 | 04/05/2026 | | | | |
| | 04/04/2017 | 1,932 |
| 967 |
| 39.69 | 04/04/2027 | 462 | 11,083 | | |
| | 05/22/2018 | 14,135 |
| 19,790 |
| 91.64 | 05/22/2028 | 11,867 | 284,689 | | |
| | 05/22/2018 | 2,193 |
| 3,071 |
| 91.64 | 05/22/2028 | 1,842 | 44,190 | | |
| | 02/11/2019 | | | | | | | 1,633 | 39,176 |
| | 04/01/2019 | — |
| 43,780 |
| 72.02 | 04/01/2029 | 20,133 | 482,991 | | |
| | 10/01/2019 | | | | | | | 178,350 | 4,278,617 |
| Harsha Mokkarala | 11/26/2013 | 22,939 |
| — |
| 8.45 | 10/01/2023 | | | | |
| | 03/06/2014 | 7,567 |
| — |
| 11.00 | 03/06/2024 | | | | |
| | 04/01/2015 | 7,648 |
| — |
| 25.52 | 04/01/2025 | | | | |
| | 07/01/2015 | 9,602 |
| — |
| 30.83 | 07/01/2025 | | | | |
| | 04/01/2016 | 16,468 |
| 2,272 |
| 22.67 | 04/01/2026 | 3,309 | 79,383 | | |
| | 04/01/2017 | 20,894 |
| 10,448 |
| 39.66 | 04/01/2027 | 7,564 | 181,460 | | |
| | 04/01/2018 | 7,999 |
| 11,200 |
| 84.03 | 04/01/2028 | 6,694 | 160,589 | | |
| | 02/11/2019 | | | | | | | 1,152 | 27,636 |
| | 04/01/2019 | — |
| 22,644 |
| 72.02 | 04/01/2029 | 10,413 | 249,808 | | |
| | 10/01/2019 | | | | | | | 92,250 | 2,213,078 |
| James Kenigsberg | 02/23/2011 | 20,000 |
| — |
| 1.82 | 06/08/2020 | | | | |
| | 07/14/2011 | 10,000 |
| — |
| 3.08 | 06/27/2021 | | | | |
| | 02/13/2012 | 50,000 |
| — |
| 3.08 | 02/13/2022 | | | | |
| | 02/28/2012 | 5,124 |
| — |
| 3.08 | 02/28/2022 | | | | |
| | 02/25/2013 | 14,589 |
| — |
| 5.75 | 02/25/2023 | | | | |
| | 03/06/2014 | 13,421 |
| — |
| 11.00 | 03/06/2024 | | | | |
| | 04/01/2015 | 13,503 |
| — |
| 25.52 | 04/01/2025 | | | | |
| | 04/01/2016 | 31,234 |
| 2,839 |
| 22.67 | 04/01/2026 | 4,136 | 99,223 | | |
| | 04/01/2016 | 11,666 |
| — |
| 22.67 | 04/01/2026 | | | | |
| | 04/01/2017 | 20,894 |
| 10,448 |
| 39.66 | 04/01/2027 | 7,564 | 181,460 | | |
| | 04/01/2018 | 7,999 |
| 11,200 |
| 84.03 | 04/01/2028 | 6,694 | 160,589 | | |
| | 02/11/2019 | | | | | | | 1,398 | 33,538 |
| | 04/01/2019 | — |
| 26,418 |
| 72.02 | 04/01/2029 | 12,149 | 291,455 | | |
| | 10/01/2019 | | | | | | | 92,250 | 2,213,078 |
| Matthew J. Norden | 11/26/2013 | 2,084 |
| — |
| 8.45 | 10/01/2023 | | | | |
| | 03/06/2014 | 2,743 |
| — |
| 11.00 | 03/06/2024 | | | | |
| | 01/02/2015 | 914 |
| — |
| 19.48 | 01/02/2025 | | | | |
| | 04/01/2015 | 1,752 |
| — |
| 25.52 | 04/01/2025 | | | | |
| | 04/01/2016 | 4,266 |
| 719 |
| 22.67 | 04/01/2026 | 1,048 | 25,142 | | |
| | 04/01/2017 | 5,170 |
| 4,353 |
| 39.66 | 04/01/2027 | 3,152 | 75,616 | | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Option Awards | Stock Awards |
| | | Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options | Option
Exercise |
Option | Number of
Units That
Have Not | Market
Value of
Units That
Have Not |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units That Have Not | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Units That Have Not |
| Name | | Grant Date | Exercisable | Unexercisable (1) | Price ($) | Expiration Date | Vested (#)(1) | Vested ($)(2) | Vested (#)(3) | Vested ($)(2) |
| | 10/01/2017 | 781 |
| 661 |
| 56.04 | 10/01/2027 | 335 | 8,037 | | |
| | 04/01/2018 | 3,999 |
| 5,600 |
| 84.03 | 04/01/2028 | 3,347 | 80,295 | | |
| | 02/11/2019 | | | | | | | 1,237 | 29,676 |
| | 04/01/2019 | — |
| 11,322 |
| 72.02 | 04/01/2029 | 5,206 | 124,892 | | |
| | 05/22/2019 | | | | | 2,458(8) | 58,967 | | |
| | 10/01/2019 | | | | | | | 46,124 | 1,106,515 |
| | | | | |
(1) | Except as otherwise noted, all stock options shown vest 25% on the first anniversary of their grant date, and the remaining 75% vest thereafter in 36 equal monthly installments; in each case, the expiration date is 10 years after the grant date. Except as otherwise noted, each restricted stock unit award vests as to 25% on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of its grant date.2021 Proxy Statement | 51 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Option Awards | | Stock Awards |
| | Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options | Option
Exercise
Price
($) | Option
Expiration
Date | | Number of Units That Have Not Vested (#)(1) | | Market Value of Units That Have Not Vested ($)(2) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested (#)(3) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested ($)(2) |
| Name | Grant Date | Exercisable | Unexercisable(1) |
James
Kenigsberg | 07/14/2011 | 10,000 | — | 3.08 | 06/27/2021 | | | | | | |
| 02/13/2012 | 50,000 | — | 3.08 | 02/13/2022 | | | | | | |
| 02/28/2012 | 5,124 | — | 3.08 | 02/28/2022 | | | | | | |
| 02/25/2013 | 14,589 | — | 5.75 | 02/25/2023 | | | | | | |
| 03/06/2014 | 13,421 | — | 11.00 | 03/06/2024 | | | | | | |
| 04/01/2015 | 13,503 | — | 25.52 | 04/01/2025 | | | | | | |
| 04/01/2016 | 34,073 | — | 22.67 | 04/01/2026 | | | | | | |
| 04/01/2016 | 11,666 | — | 22.67 | 04/01/2026 | | | | | | |
| 04/01/2017 | 28,730 | 2,612 | 39.66 | 04/01/2027 | | 3,782 | | 151,318 | | |
| 04/01/2018 | 12,799 | 6,400 | 84.03 | 04/01/2028 | | 4,463 | | 178,565 | | |
| 04/01/2019 | 11,007 | 15,411 | 72.02 | 04/01/2029 | | 9,112 | | 364,571 | | |
| 10/01/2019 | | | | | | | | | 61,500 | 2,460,615 |
| 01/29/2020 | | | | | | 34,421 | (6) | 1,377,184 | 79,090 | 3,164,391 |
Matthew J.
Norden | 11/26/2013 | 2,084 | — | 8.45 | 10/01/2023 | | | | | | |
| 03/06/2014 | 2,743 | — | 11.00 | 03/06/2024 | | | | | | |
| 01/02/2015 | 914 | — | 19.48 | 01/02/2025 | | | | | | |
| 04/01/2015 | 1,752 | — | 25.52 | 04/01/2025 | | | | | | |
| 04/01/2016 | 4,985 | — | 22.67 | 04/01/2026 | | | | | | |
| 04/01/2017 | 8,435 | 1,088 | 39.66 | 04/01/2027 | | 1,576 | | 63,056 | | |
| 10/01/2017 | 1,141 | 301 | 56.04 | 10/01/2027 | | 168 | | 6,722 | | |
| 04/01/2018 | 6,399 | 3,200 | 84.03 | 04/01/2028 | | 2,232 | | 89,302 | | |
| 04/01/2019 | 4,717 | 6,605 | 72.02 | 04/01/2029 | | 3,905 | | 156,239 | | |
| 05/22/2019 | | | | | | 1,229 | (8) | 49,172 | | |
| 10/01/2019 | | | | | | | | | 30,748 | 1,230,227 |
| 01/29/2020 | | | | | | 28,684 | (6) | 1,147,647 | 57,368 | 2,295,294 |
(1)Except as otherwise noted, (i) all stock options shown vest 25% on the first anniversary of their grant date, and the remaining 75% vest thereafter in 36 equal monthly installments, (ii) the expiration date of all stock options shown is 10 years after the grant date, (iii) each RSU vests as to 25% on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of its grant date and (iv) the vesting of each equity award is subject to the NEO's continued employment through each applicable vesting date.
(2)Amounts shown are determined by multiplying the number of units that have not vested by $40.01 (the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of fiscal year 2020).
(3)Represents PRSUs granted pursuant to our 2014 Plan. The PRSUs granted in October 2019 are reported assuming the achievement of the maximum performance level for each of the applicable TSR performance periods. The shares underlying these PRSUs are eligible to vest based on the Company’s relative TSR as compared to the TSR of the companies that comprise the Russell 3000 Index, as measured over one, two and three year performance periods each commencing on October 1, 2019. See the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation of our Named Executive Officers—Long-Term Incentive Compensation—2019 PRSU Grant and Achievement” for additional information about these awards. The PRSUs granted in January 2020 are reported assuming the achievement of the maximum performance level. The shares underlying these PRSUs are eligible to vest based on the Company’s relative TSR as compared to the TSR of the companies that comprise the Russell 3000 Index, as measured over a one-year performance period commencing on January 1, 2020. See the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation of our Named Executive Officers—Long-Term Incentive Compensation—2020 Equity Awards” for additional information about these awards.
(4)The award vests in equal monthly installments over a seven-year period.
(5)The award vests in equal annual installments over a seven-year period.
(6)The award vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period.
(7)The award vests in equal annual installments on October 1, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
(8)The award vests 50% on May 22, 2021 and 50% on May 22, 2022.
| | | | | |
(2) | The amounts listed in these columns are determined by multiplying the number of units that have not vested by $23.99 (the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of fiscal year 2019). |
| 52 | |
(3) | Consists of PRSUs granted pursuant to our 2014 Plan. The PRSUs granted in October 2019 are reported assuming the achievement of the maximum performance level for each of the applicable TSR performance periods. The shares underlying the PRSUs are eligible to vest based on the Company’s relative TSR as compared to the TSR of the companies that comprise the Russell 3000 Index, as measured over one, two and three year performance periods each commencing on October 1, 2019. See the “Long-Term Incentive Compensation - Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award” section for additional information about these awards. The PRSUs granted in February 2019 are reported assuming achievement of the threshold performance level. These PRSUs were eligible to vest based on the Company’s achievement against the performance goals under the 2019 Bonus Plan. In early 2020, the Compensation Committee determined that we did not achieve threshold performance under the 2019 Bonus Plan and these awards were forfeited. |
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(4) | The award vests in equal monthly installments over a seven‑year period. |
| |
(5) | The award vests in equal annual installments over a seven‑year period. |
| |
(6) | The award vests in equal annual installments on October 1, 2020, 2021 and 2022. |
| |
(7) | The award vests on April 1, 2022. |
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(8) | The award vests 50% on May 22, 2021 and 50% on May 22, 2022. |
2019 Option Exercises2020 option exercises and Stock Vestedstock vested.
The following table provides information about the exercise of stock options and vesting of stock awards for each of our Named Executive OfficersNEOs during the year ended December 31, 2019.2020.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Option Awards | | Stock Awards |
| Name | Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#) | Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1)(3) | | Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting
(#) | Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2)(3) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 48,301 | 1,602,271 | | 40,780 | 756,469 |
| Paul S. Lalljie | — | — | | 117,717 | 4,101,260 |
| Mark J. Chernis | — | — | | 69,514 | 2,257,925 |
| James Kenigsberg | 20,000 | 590,400 | | 49,062 | 1,494,520 |
| Matthew J. Norden | — | — | | 21,812 | 680,225 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Option Awards | Stock Awards |
| Name | | Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#) | Value Realized
on Exercise
($)(1) | Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting
(#) | Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(2) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | — |
| — |
| 41,031 |
| 2,955,053 |
|
| Paul S. Lalljie | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
| Catherine A. Graham | — |
| — |
| 16,604 |
| 1,195,820 |
|
| Mark J. Chernis | 20,500 |
| 1,076,455 |
| 5,825 |
| 419,517 |
|
| Harsha Mokkarala | — |
| — |
| 11,438 |
| 784,176 |
|
| James Kenigsberg | 92,700 |
| 4,461,651 |
| 13,577 |
| 977,816 |
|
| Matthew J. Norden | — |
| — |
| 4,950 |
| 205,456 |
|
(2)Amounts shown represent the value realized upon vesting of the award calculated by multiplying (i) the number of shares of common stock that vested by (ii) the closing price of our common stock on the date of vesting. | |
(1) | Amounts shown reflect the value realized upon exercise of stock options calculated based on the difference between the closing price of our common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the option award. |
| |
(2) | Amounts shown represent the value realized upon vesting of restricted stock unit awards calculated by multiplying the number of shares that vested by the closing price of our common stock on the date of vesting. |
(3)Not all of the shares acquired upon exercise of stock options or vesting of stock awards were sold by the NEOs. Therefore, NEOs may continue to be at risk for subsequent changes in the value of these shares. Pension Benefitsbenefits.
Our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers,NEOs, did not participate in, or otherwise receive any benefits under, any defined benefit pension plan sponsored by us during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensationdeferred compensation.
Our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers,NEOs, did not earn any nonqualified deferred compensation benefits from us during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Potential Payments Upon Terminationpayments upon termination of Employmentemployment and in Connectionconnection with Changechange of Control Arrangementscontrol arrangements.
We have entered into agreements with our Named Executive Officers that may provide for benefits under the circumstances described below if the officer’s employment is terminated or we experience aSeverance pay and change in control (such as a change in the beneficial ownership of our Company by more than 50% or a sale of substantially all of our assets).plan
Severance Agreement – Mr. Paucek
We have entered into a confidential information, invention assignment, work for hire, non‑compete and no solicit/no hire agreement with Mr. Paucek (the “Paucek Agreement”), which provides, among other things, that during the six‑month period after his termination of employment with the Company, he may not engage, in any capacity, in the business of developing or administering degree‑granting distance learning higher education services without the advance written consent of our Board. In exchange for these agreements not to compete, we have agreed to pay Mr. Paucek during the six‑month period after his termination of employment with the Company, an amount equal to six months of the highest salary earned during his employment with us.
Separation Agreement – Ms. Graham
In connection with Ms. Graham’s retirement from the position of Chief Financial Officer effective as of October 14, 2019, the Company entered into a separation and transition agreement with Ms. Graham. Pursuant to the separation and transition agreement, Ms. Graham agreed to provide advisory services to the Company as a part-time employee until April 1, 2022. While providing advisory services, Ms. Graham will be entitled to receive (i) an annual base salary of $200,000; (ii) continued medical, dental and vision coverage pursuant to COBRA; and (iii) continued vesting of her outstanding Company equity awards. In connection with executing the separation and transition agreement, Ms. Graham was granted 20,000 restricted stock units. The restricted stock units will vest on April 1, 2022, subject to Ms. Graham’s continued employment with the Company through such date. In addition, subject to her continued compliance with the separation and transition agreement and a separate restrictive covenant agreement, Ms. Graham was entitled to an annual bonus for 2019 of no less
than $113,750 (the “2019 Bonus”) if she remained employed through December 31, 2019, and will receive a one-time bonus of $257,800 (the “One-Time Bonus”) if she remains employed through April 1, 2022.
If the Company terminates Ms. Graham’s employment prior to April 1, 2022 for reasons other than “cause” or due to Ms. Graham’s death or disability, then, subject to Ms. Graham’s continued compliance with the restrictive covenant agreement and execution of a general release of claims, Ms. Graham will be entitled to receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (A) any unpaid portion of the base salary that she would have received had she remained employed through April 1, 2022, (B) the One-Time Bonus, and (C) if such termination occurred prior to December 31, 2019, the 2019 Bonus; (ii) continued medical, dental and vision coverage until April 1, 2022; and (iii) immediate vesting of her outstanding unvested Company equity awards that would have vested based solely on her continued service if she had continued providing services to the Company through April 1, 2022.
For purposes of Ms. Graham’s separation agreement, “cause” generally means Ms. Graham’s (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement or theft against the Company or its subsidiaries; (ii) conviction of, or plea of no contest to, a felony or crime involving moral turpitude; (iii) refusal to perform material duties as an employee of the Company, which to the extent curable, remains uncured for 30 days following receipt of written notice thereof; (iv) material breach of any material Company policy or any material agreement with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, including her restrictive covenant agreement; (v) gross negligence, willful misconduct or any other act of willful disregard for the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ best interests; or (vi) refusal to cooperate with a governmental or internal investigation of the Company or its directors, officers or employees
Severance Agreement – Mr. Lalljie
In connection with his commencement of employment in October 2019, we entered into an offer letter and Employee, Intellectual Property, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement with Mr. Lalljie (together, the “Lalljie Agreements”), which provide, among other things, that if Mr. Lalljie’s employment is terminated without “cause” or he resigns for “good reason”, he will be entitled to receive (i) continued base salary payments for a period of 12 months following his termination, or if such termination occurs within the three months preceding or 12 months following a change in control, a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (x) 12 months of his annual base salary and (y) his target annual bonus for the year of termination, (ii) a pro-rated portion of his annual bonus for the year of termination, based on actual performance, (iii) direct payment of, or reimbursement for, continued healthcare coverage pursuant to COBRA for up to 12 months and (iv) accelerated vesting of any unvested portion of the one-time award of time-based restricted stock units covering 176,574 shares granted in October 2019 (the “Severance Payments”).
Receipt of the Severance Payments is subject to Mr. Lalljie’s continued compliance with the restrictive covenants contained in the Lalljie Agreements and timely execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company. The restrictive covenants include prohibitions on Mr. Lalljie engaging in competition with the Company or soliciting customers, employees or contractors of the Company, in each case, while employed and for a period of 12 months following his termination for any reason.
For purposes of the Lalljie Agreements:
“Cause” generally means Mr. Lalljie’s (i) indictment for, or conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of willful dishonesty against the Company, or any intentional and unlawful harassment or discrimination in the course of Mr. Lalljie’s employment with the Company; (iii) intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between Mr. Lalljie and the Company; (iv) unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information; or (v) gross misconduct in connection with the performance of his duties.
“Good Reason” generally means, without Mr. Lalljie’s consent: (i) the continual assignment of duties that are not commensurate in any material respect with Mr. Lalljie’s position, or a material diminution in Mr. Lalljie’s position, authority, reporting lines or responsibilities; (ii) a material reduction in Mr. Lalljie’s annual base salary and/or annual target incentive opportunity; (iii) a relocation of Mr. Lalljie’s principal work location to a location that is 35 miles or more from Washington, DC and results in a material increase in Mr. Lalljie’s commute from his primary residence; (iv) the Company’s material violation of any written contract or agreement between Mr. Lalljie and the Company; or (v) Mr. Lalljie no longer serving as the principal financial officer of the Company (or Company’s successor in interest, if applicable), or the ultimate parent resulting from a change in control (as defined therein). In addition, in the event Mr. Lalljie terminates his employment for any reason during the thirty (30) day period following the six (6)-month anniversary of the date Mr. Paucek ceases to serve as
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and provided Mr. Lalljie has provided the Company with at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such termination, such termination will be considered a Termination for Good Reason.
Change in Control Equity Acceleration
The terms of option and time-based RSU award agreements under our 2014 Plan provide that options and time-based RSUs, respectively, granted to our Named Executive Officers will vest and become exercisable if their employment is terminated without cause or for good reason on or within 12 months after a change in control control or if the awards are not assumed or substituted in the change in control on terms that preserve their intrinsic value. With respect to the PRSUs granted to our Named Executive Officers in October 2019, in the event of a change in control during the-three year performance period, a pro-rata number of PRSUs will be earned based on the Company’s TSR prior to the change in control using the Company’s stock price at such time, and the earned PRSUs will vest immediately. The remaining PRSUs will convert to time-based units that vest on the last day of the original performance period, subject to accelerated vesting upon termination without cause or for good reason on or within 12 months following the change in control or if the awards are not assumed or substituted in the change in control on terms that preserve their intrinsic value.
The table below provides an estimate of the value of the compensation due to each of our Named Executive Officers in the events described below, assuming that the change in control or termination of employment was effective on December 31, 2019, under the conditions described above and assuming a per‑share stock price of $23.99 the price of our common stock on that date. The actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of the termination of employment or change in control, as applicable. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Involuntary
Termination | Change in Control Followed by
Involuntary Termination |
| Name | | Cash
($) | Equity ($) | Total ($) | Cash
($) | Equity
($)(1) | Total
($) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 280,500(2) |
| — |
| 280,500 |
| — |
| 14,054,026 |
| 14,054,026 |
|
| Paul S. Lalljie | 533,729(3) |
| 4,236,010 |
| 4,769,739 |
| 1,048,729(4) |
| 6,118,673 |
| 7,167,402 |
|
| Catherine A. Graham | 708,408(5) |
| 6,509,864 |
| 7,218,272 |
| — |
| 6,630,630 |
| 6,630,630 |
|
| Mark J. Chernis | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 2,676,453 |
| 2,676,453 |
|
| Harsha Mokkarala | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 1,619,941 |
| 1,619,941 |
|
| James Kenigsberg | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 3,529,307 |
| 3,529,307 |
|
| Matthew J. Norden | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 743,794 |
| 743,794 |
|
| |
(1) | The value of accelerated vesting of stock options, RSUs and PRSUs is based on the market price at December 31, 2019 of $23.99 per share less, in the case of options, the per share exercise prices of the stock options outstanding. The PRSUs granted in February 2019 are reported assuming vesting of the total number of PRSUs granted under the 2019 Bonus Plan to each executive. |
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(2) | Represents six‑months of Mr. Paucek’s annual base salary. |
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(3) | Represents (i) 12 months of Mr. Lalljie’s annual base salary and (ii) continued healthcare coverage pursuant to COBRA for 12 months. |
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(4) | Represents (i) 12 months of Mr. Lalljie’s annual base salary, (ii) his target annual bonus for 2019, and (iii) continued healthcare coverage pursuant to COBRA for 12 months. |
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(5) | Represents (i) the unpaid portion of Ms. Graham’s base salary that she would have received had she remained employed through April 1, 2022, (ii) the One Time Bonus and (iii) continued healthcare coverage pursuant to COBRA until May 30, 2021, the date that she ceases to be eligible for COBRA coverage. |
Severance Pay and Change in Control Plan
On February 14, 2020, the Compensation Committee adopted a Severance Pay and Change in Control Plan (the “Severance Plan”(as amended, the “Severance Plan”). We expect that applicable to each of our Named Executive Officers will participate in the Severance Plan, subject to each Named Executive Officer signing a participation letter with the Company.NEOs. The Severance Plan was adopted to provide standardized severance benefits to current and future participants in the event of a participant’s termination without cause or resignation for good reason and will supersedesupersedes any pre-existing severance benefits, including the Paucek Agreement and the
Lalljie Agreements.benefits. Benefits under the Severance Plan are determined based on whether a participant is designated as a Tier I Participant, Tier II Participant or Tier III Participant. Mr. Paucek is designated as a Tier I Participant and each of Mr. Lalljie, Mr. Chernis, Mr. Mokkarala, Mr. Norden, and Mr. Kenigsberg is a Tier II Participant.
Under the Severance Plan, in the event of termination of a Named Executive Officer’sNEO’s employment by the Company without “Cause” or, a resignation by the Named Executive OfficerNEO for “Good Reason”, the Named Executive OfficerNEO will receive, in addition to a prorated bonus for the year of termination (based on actual performance for the full-year):
(i)An amount equal to one times (or 1.5 times for Mr. Paucek) the sum of the NEO’s annual base salary plus target bonus; and
(ii)Payment or reimbursement of the full monthly cost for continued coverage for the NEO and the NEO’s eligible dependents under the Company’s group health plans pursuant to COBRA for up to 12 months following termination (or 18 months for Mr. Paucek).
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(i) | An amount equal to one times (or 1.5 times for Mr. Paucek) the sum of the Named Executive Officer’s annual base salary plus target bonus; and2021 Proxy Statement | 53 |
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(ii) | Payment or reimbursement of the full monthly cost for continued coverage for the Named Executive Officer and the Named Executive Officer’s eligible dependents under the Company’s group health plans pursuant to COBRA for up to 12 months following termination (or 18 months for Mr. Paucek). |
If, however, a Named Executive Officer’sNEO’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Named Executive OfficerNEO for Good Reason during the three month period prior to a Change in Control or the 12 month period following a Change in Control, the Named Executive OfficerNEO will receive, in lieu of the payments and benefits describe above, a prorated bonus for the year of termination (based on actual performance for the full year) and:
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(i) | An amount equal to 1.5 times (or 2 times for Mr. Paucek) the sum of the Named Executive Officer’s annual base salary plus target annual bonus, generally payable in a lump sum; and |
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(ii) | An amount equal to the product of 1.02, multiplied by 12 (or 18 for Mr. Paucek), multiplied by the monthly premium for the cost of insuring the Named Executive Officer and the Named Executive Officer’s eligible dependents under the Company’s group health plans in which the Named Executive Officer participated immediately prior to the date of the such termination, generally payable in a lump sum. |
(i)An amount equal to 1.5 times (or 2 times for Mr. Paucek) the sum of the NEO’s annual base salary plus target annual bonus, generally payable in a lump sum; and
(ii)An amount equal to the product of 1.02, multiplied by 12 (or 18 for Mr. Paucek), multiplied by the monthly premium for the cost of insuring the NEO and the NEO’s eligible dependents under the Company’s group health plans in which the NEO participated immediately prior to the date of such termination, generally payable in a lump sum.
For purposes of the Severance Plan as applied to the Named Executive Officers:NEO:
“Cause” generally means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) such participant’s indictment for, or conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) such participant’s commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of willful dishonesty against the Company, or any intentional and unlawful harassment or discrimination in the course of such participant’s employment with the Company; (iii) such participant’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between such participant and the Company which (if curable) is not cured within fifteen (15) days of written notice by the Company to such participant; (iv) such participant’s intentional and unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information, which results, or would reasonably be expected to result, in material harm to the Company or its affiliates; or (v) such participant’s gross misconduct in connection with the performance of his duties.
“Good Reason” generally means the occurrence of any of the following events without the participant’s express written consent: (i) the continual assignment of duties that are not commensurate in any material respect with such participant’s position, or a material diminution in such participant’s position, authority, reporting lines or responsibilities, including, without limitation, such participant ceasing to have the same status, offices, titles and seniority with the Company (or the Company’s successor in interest or its ultimate parent resulting from a change in control) or to be in charge of a principal business unit, division or function (such as sales, administration or finance) of the Company (or such successor or ultimate parent) in which such participant had been in charge immediately prior to such diminution; (ii) a material reduction in such participant’s annual base salary and/or annual target incentive opportunity; (iii) a relocation of such participant’s principal work location to a location that is thirty five (35) miles or more from Washington, DC and results in a material increase in such participant’s commute from his primary residence; or (iv) the Company’s material violation of any written contract or agreement between such participant and the Company, including the Severance Plan.
The payments pursuant to the Severance Plan are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any accrued but unpaid salary, bonuses and/or employee welfare and other benefits to which a Named Executive OfficerNEO is entitled.
Any outstanding awards under any equity-based or other long-term performance incentive compensation plan or program of the Company will generally be subject to and treated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, program, and/or award agreement.
Severance Plan benefits are generally subject to the Named Executive Officer’sNEO’s timely execution, delivery, and non-revocation of a general release of claims and compliance with applicable restrictive covenants.
Change in control equity acceleration
The terms of option and time-based RSU award agreements under our 2014 Plan provide that options and time-based RSUs, respectively, granted to our NEOs will vest and become exercisable if their employment is terminated without cause or for good reason on or within 12 months after a change in control or if the awards are not assumed or substituted in the change in control on terms that preserve their intrinsic value. With respect to the PRSUs granted to our NEOs in October 2019, in the event of a change in control during the-three year performance period, a number of shares equal to (i) the prorated portion of the target PRSUs eligible to be earned during the applicable performance period multiplied by (ii) the applicable achievement percentage based on the Company’s TSR prior to the change in control using the Company’s stock price at such time, will be earned and will vest immediately. The remaining PRSUs will convert to time-based units that vest on the last day of the original performance period, subject to accelerated vesting upon termination without cause or for good reason on or within 12 months following the change in control or if the awards are not assumed or substituted in the change in control on terms that preserve their intrinsic value. With respect to the PRSUs granted to our NEOs in January 2020, in the event of a change in control, if the achievement percentage is 100% or higher, a number of shares equal to (i) the total number of PRSUs eligible to be earned for any performance period with an end date following the change of control multiplied by (ii) the applicable achievement percentage based on the Company’s TSR prior to the change in control using the Company’s stock price at such time, will be earned and will vest immediately. However, if the achievement percentage is lower than 100%, a number of shares equal to (i) the prorated portion of the target number of PRSUs eligible to be earned during the applicable performance
period multiplied by (ii) the applicable achievement percentage based on the Company’s TSR prior to the change in control using the Company’s stock price at such time, will be earned and will vest immediately. The remaining PRSUs will convert to time-based units that vest on the last day of the original performance period subject to accelerated vesting upon termination without cause or for good reason on or within 12 months following the change in control or if the awards are not assumed or substituted in the change in control on terms that preserve their intrinsic value.
The table below provides an estimate of the value of the compensation due to each of our NEOs in the events described below, assuming that the change in control or termination of employment was effective on December 31, 2020, under the conditions described above and assuming a per-share stock price of $40.01, the price of our common stock on that date. The actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of the termination of employment or change in control, as applicable.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Involuntary Termination | | Change in Control Followed by Involuntary Termination |
| Name | Cash
($) | | Equity
($) | Total
($) | | Cash
($) | | | Equity ($)(1) | | Total
($) |
| Christopher J. Paucek | 1,685,587 | (2) | — | 1,685,587 | | | 2,016,299 | (4) | | 44,820,417 | | 46,836,716 | |
| Paul S. Lalljie | 1,053,725 | (3) | — | 1,053,725 | | | 1,311,699 | (5) | | 17,336,933 | | 18,648,632 | |
| Mark J. Chernis | 1,053,537 | (3) | — | 1,053,537 | | | 1,311,508 | (5) | | 14,892,263 | | 16,203,771 | |
| James Kenigsberg | 697,015 | (3) | — | 697,015 | | | 902,016 | (5) | | 11,932,443 | | 12,834,459 | |
| Matthew J. Norden | 655,043 | | (3) | — | 655,043 | | | 855,344 | | (5) | | 5,849,502 | | 6,704,846 | |
(1)The value of accelerated vesting of stock options, RSUs and PRSUs is based on the market price of our common stock at December 31, 2020 of $40.01 per share less, in the case of options, the per share exercise prices of the stock options outstanding. The PRSUs granted in October 2019 and January 2020 are reported assuming an achievement percentage of 100%.
(2)Represents (i) 1.5x annual base salary, (ii) target annual bonus for 2020, and (iii) continued healthcare coverage pursuant to COBRA for 18 months.
(3)Represents (i) 1x annual base salary, (ii) target annual bonus for 2020, and (ii) continued healthcare coverage pursuant to COBRA for 12 months.
(4)Represents (i) 2x annual base salary, (ii) target annual bonus for 2020, and (iii) 1.02x the cost of continued healthcare coverage pursuant to COBRA for 18 months.
(5)Represents (i) 1.5x annual base salary, (ii) target annual bonus for 2020, and (iii) 1.02x the cost of continued healthcare coverage pursuant to COBRA for 12 months.
Securities Authorizedauthorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plansissuance under equity compensation plans.
The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 2019,2020, with respect to our equity compensation plans (after giving effect to shares issued and/or vesting on such date):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Equity Compensation Plan Information |
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights(1) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column(a))(2) |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(3) | 3,916,867 | | $ | 35.63 | | 6,881,203 | |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — |
| Total | 3,916,867 | | | 6,881,203 | |
(1)In addition to options, warrants and rights, our 2014 Plan allows awards to be made in the form of shares of RSUs or other forms of equity-based compensation. As of December 31, 2020, 4,365,315 shares of the Company’s common stock were subject to outstanding RSUs and PRSUs (at the target level of performance for outstanding PRSUs) issued under our 2014 Plan. RSUs are not taken into account for purposes of determining the weighted average exercise price in the table above.
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Equity Compensation Plan Information |
| Plan Category | | Number of securities
to be issued
upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights(1) | Weighted‑average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights | Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column(a))(2) |
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(3) | 4,373,895 |
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| $34.24 |
| 6,109,297 |
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| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — |
| — |
| — |
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| Total | 4,373,895 |
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| 6,109,297 |
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(1) | In addition to options, warrants and rights, our 2014 Plan allows awards to be made in the form of shares of restricted stock units or other forms of equity‑based compensation. As of December 31, 2019, 3,694,915 shares of the Company’s common stock were subject to outstanding time-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units (at the target level of performance for the PRSUs issued in October 2019 and at 113% of the target level of performance for the PRSUs issued in February 2019) issued under our 2014 Plan. Restricted stock units are not taken into account for purposes of determining the weighted average exercise price in the table above.2021 Proxy Statement | 55 |
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(2) |
(2)This number reflects 6,214,809 shares available for future issuance under our 2014 Plan and 666,394 shares available for issuance under our 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) as of December 31, 2020. No shares remain available for future issuance under our 2008 Plan. As of December 31, 2020, no shares were subject to outstanding purchase rights under the ESPP. (3)Under the terms of our 2014 Plan, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued under the 2014 Plan will automatically increase on January 1st of each year, for a period of ten years, from January 1, 2015 continuing through January 1, 2024, by 5% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares as may be determined by the Board. This number reflects 5,296,333 shares available for future issuance under our 2014 Plan and 812,964 shares available for issuance under our 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) as of December 31, 2019. No shares remain available for future issuance under our 2008 Plan. As of December 31, 2019, no shares were subject to outstanding purchase rights under the ESPP.
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(3) | Under the terms of our 2014 Plan, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued under the 2014 Plan will automatically increase on January 1st of each year, for a period of ten years, from January 1, 2015 continuing through January 1, 2024, by 5% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year, or a lesser number of shares as may be determined by the Board. |
CEO Pay Ratio Disclosurepay ratio disclosure
As required by Section 953(b) of Dodd Frank and Item 402(u) of Regulation S‑K,S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our “median employee” and the annual total compensation of Christopher J. Paucek, our Chief Executive Officer, during 2019.2020. We consider the pay ratio specified to be a reasonable estimate, calculated in a manner intended to be consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S‑K.S-K.
For 2019,2020, our last completed fiscal year:
•The estimated median of the annual total compensation of all employees of the Company (excluding the CEO) was $59,272;$49,669;
•The annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement was $6,612,508;$6,434,348; and
•The ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median employee’s annual total compensation is 112:130:1. Note that we have a large number of temporary or seasonal employees that may teach a course or boot camp in one semester but are not permanent employees. Excluding these employees, the estimated median of the annual total compensation of all employees of the Company (excluding the CEO) was $67,385 and the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median employee's annual total compensation is 95:1.
To determine the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of the Company (other than the CEO), the methodology and the material assumptions, adjustments and estimates that we used were as follows:
•We selected December 31, 20192020 as the date upon which we would identify our employee population and median employee.
•Using our tax and payroll records, we determined that, as of December 31, 2019,2020, our employee population consisted of approximately 5,8486,606 employees globally, including active full‑time, part‑time,full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees.
•As permitted by SEC rules, we determined to exclude all of our employees located in Hong KongMexico and the United Kingdom,Australia, which constituted approximately 0.3%0.4% of our total employee population and approximately 2,413 employees who joined the Company through our acquisition of Trilogy in May 2019.population.
•We used taxable compensation, as determined in each applicable employing jurisdiction, during the 20192020 fiscal year as a consistently applied compensation measure to identify our median employee. In making this determination, we annualized the compensation of all newly hired permanent employees hired during this period.2020. For South African employees, we converted taxable compensation to U.S. dollars using the rand to dollar exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2019.2020.
Once our median employee was identified in the manner described above, we calculated the annual total compensation of the median employee using the same methodology that we used to determine the annual total compensation of the CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement.
It should be noted that the SEC pay ratio disclosure rules allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices. As such, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.
Audit matters.
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Proposal three Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accounting firm The Audit Committee appointed KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. As a matter of good corporate governance, the Company’s stockholders will be requested to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection at the Meeting. KPMG LLP has audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements since 2013. Although there is no requirement that KPMG LLP’s appointment be terminated if the ratification fails, the Audit Committee will consider the appointment of other independent registered public accounting firms if the stockholders choose not to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP. The Audit Committee may terminate the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm without the approval of the stockholders whenever the Audit Committee deems such termination appropriate. KPMG LLP has affirmed that they are not aware of any relationships between KPMG LLP and the Company that may reasonably be thought to bear on their independence. A representative of KPMG LLP is expected to be present (virtually) at the Meeting. The representative will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate stockholder questions at the Meeting. |
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| THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. |
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Independent registered public accounting firm fees
Aggregate fees for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP for the years ended December 31, 2020 and Indemnification2019, were:
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| Type of Fee | 2020 | 2019 |
Audit Fees(1) | | | | |
| Annual audit | $ | 1,780,054 | $ | 2,626,414 |
| Statutory audits | | 340,485 | | 313,763 |
| Comfort letters | | 309,617 | | — |
| Total Audit Fees | | 2,430,156 | | 2,940,177 |
| Audit-Related Fees | | — | | — |
Tax Fees(2) | | 12,000 | | — |
All Other Fees(3) | | 1,780 | | — |
| Total Fees | $ | 2,443,936 | $ | 2,940,177 |
(1)Audit fees consisted of work performed in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements and internal controls included in our registration statements on Form S-3, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, the reviews of the unaudited quarterly financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and statutory audit fees in overseas jurisdictions.
(2)Tax fees consisted of services related to tax planning and advisory services, tax consultations and tax compliance services.
(3)All other fees consisted of products and services related to an online accounting research tool.
Pre-approval of audit and permissible non-audit services
The Audit Committee has established in its charter a policy that every engagement of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to perform audit or permissible non-audit services on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries requires pre-approval from the Audit Committee or its designee before such independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to provide those services. Under this policy, the Audit Committee may provide pre-approval for a particular defined task or scope of work, subject to a specific budget and for up to one year. The Audit Committee may also delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of the Audit Committee’s members, and the Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve services (other than the annual engagement) provided that any pre-approval decisions are reported to the Audit Committee at the next scheduled meeting. Our Bylawsindependent registered public accounting firm may not be retained to perform the non-audit services specified in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act. All fees described in the table above were approved by the Audit Committee.
Audit committee report*
The Board has ultimate authority and responsibility for effective corporate governance, including the role of oversight of the management of 2U. The Audit Committee’s purpose is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities to the Company and its stockholders by overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of 2U, the audits of 2U’s consolidated financial statements and the qualifications, selection and performance of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee reviews our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. The Audit Committee relies on the expertise and knowledge of management and the independent auditor in carrying out its oversight responsibilities. Management has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective systems of internal and disclosure controls, for preparing financial statements, and for the public reporting process. KPMG LLP, 2U’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and on our internal control over financial reporting.
With respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Audit Committee, among other things: oversaw the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and financial reporting processes, oversaw compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, reviewed the external auditors’ qualifications and independence (including auditor rotation), and evaluated the external auditors’ performance.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and KPMG LLP the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Audit Committee also discussed with KPMG LLP all matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Audit Committee has received from KPMG LLP the written disclosures and letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding KPMG LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee has had discussions with KPMG LLP regarding its independence from the Company and its management.
Based on the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board, and the Board approved, inclusion of the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee and the Board have selected KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021.
Submitted by the Audit Committee
ROBERT M. STAVIS (CHAIR)
EARL LEWIS
PAUL A. MAEDER
GREGORY K. PETERS
*The Audit Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing of 2U under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that 2U specifically incorporates the Audit Committee Report by reference therein.
Stockholder Proposal.
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Proposal four Stockholder proposal to elect each director annually In accordance with SEC rules, we have set forth below a stockholder proposal, along with the supporting statement of the stockholder proponent, for which we and our Board accept no responsibility. The stockholder proposal is required to be voted upon at the Meeting only if properly presented at the Meeting. As explained below, our Board has decided not to oppose the stockholder proposal and makes no voting recommendation to stockholders. The Company has been notified that James McRitchie, 9295 Yorkship Court, Elk Grove, California 95758, the beneficial owner of at least $2,000 in market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the proposal was submitted and for at least the preceding twelve months, intends to present the following proposal at the Meeting. Mr. McRitchie has authorized John Chevedden to act on his behalf regarding the proposal: RESOLVED: 2U Inc. (“Company”) shareholders ask that our Company take all the steps necessary to reorganize the Board of Directors into one class with each director subject to election each year for a one-year term. Arthur Levitt, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission said, “In my view it’s best for the investor if the entire board is elected once a year. Without annual election of each director shareholders have far less control over who represents them.” Almost 90% of S&P 500 and Fortune 500 companies, worth more than one Trillion dollars have adopted this important proposal topic since 2012. Annual elections are widely viewed as a corporate governance best practice. Annual election of each director could make directors more accountable, and thereby contribute to improved performance and increased company value. Shareholder resolutions on this topic won 14 of 15 votes at companies in 2019 and 2020, according to data compiled by ProxyInsight as of November 20, 2020, most by a wide margin. According to one of our largest shareholders, BlackRock: “Directors should be elected annually to discourage entrenchment and allow shareholders sufficient opportunity to exercise their oversight of the board.” Vanguard generally votes for proposals to declassify an existing board and votes against management or shareholder proposals to create a classified board. According to Equilar, “A classified board creates concern among shareholders because poorly performing directors may benefit from an electoral reprieve. Moreover, a fraternal atmosphere may form from a staggered board that favors the interests of management above those of shareholders. Since directors in a declassified board are elected and evaluated each year, declassification promotes responsiveness to shareholder demands and pressures directors to perform to retain their seat. Notably, proxy advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis both support declassified structures.” This proposal should also be evaluated in the context of our Company’s overall corporate governance as of the date of this submission: Shareholders cannot call special meetings. Shareholders have no right to act by written consent. At our 2018 annual meeting, 88.6% of shares were voted in favor of director nominees be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast, with a plurality vote standard retained for contested director elections, that is, when the number of director nominees exceeds the number of board seats. |
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Our board is locked into an outdated governance structure that reduces accountability to shareholders, increasing the likelihood of stagnation. We should not risk Zombies on Board: Investors Face the Walking Dead (https://www.msci.com/www/blog-posts/zombies-on-board-investorsface/02161045315). Please vote for: Elect Each Director Annually – Proposal Four |
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| THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES NO RECOMMENDATION TO STOCKHOLDERS REGARDING THIS PROPOSAL |
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The Board has considered the stockholder proposal relating to declassification of the Board, and has decided not to oppose the proposal and to make no voting recommendation to stockholders. The proposal, which is advisory in nature, would constitute a recommendation to the Board if approved by stockholders. The Board recognizes that board classification is a controversial topic and believes that there are valid arguments in favor of, and in opposition to, classified boards. The Board wants to use this proposal to provide an opportunity for stockholders to express their views on this subject without being influenced by any recommendation the Board might take.
Supporters of classified boards contend, among other things, that a classified board can:
•promote stability and continuity of leadership, since at any given time, there are experienced directors serving on the board who are familiar with the company, its business and its long-term strategic goals;
•enhance a board’s ability to respond to takeover bids by making it more difficult for an unsolicited bidder to gain control of a company;
•enhance the independence of non-management directors by providing them a longer assured term of office, thereby insulating them from pressures from special interest groups; and
•remain accountable to stockholders in that stockholders have the opportunity to evaluate and elect a portion of the board on an annual basis and all directors are required to uphold their fiduciary duties to the company and its stockholders.
Opponents of classified boards often make arguments such as those set forth in the proponent’s supporting statement.
For the foregoing reasons, the Board has decided not to oppose the stockholder proposal and makes no voting recommendation to stockholders regarding Proposal 4, the stockholder proposal to elect each director annually. The Board will take into consideration the views of stockholders on the proposal when determining whether to put forth a management proposal by the Company to amend the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Charter”) contain provisions that limitto declassify the liabilityBoard at a subsequent meeting of our current and former directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, which provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable to us or to our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as a director. However, these provisions do not eliminate or limit the liability of our directors for:stockholders.
any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders;
any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions, as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
This limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.
Our Bylaws and Charter provide that we are required to indemnify our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Our Bylaws and Charter also provide that, upon satisfactionSecurity ownership of certain conditions, we are required to advance expenses incurred by a director in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding,beneficial owners and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether we would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her under the provisions of Delaware law. Our Bylaws and Charter also provide our Board with discretion to indemnify our officers and employees when determined appropriate by the Board. We have entered and expect to continue to enter into agreements to indemnify our directors as determined by the Board. With certain exceptions, these agreements provide for indemnification for related expenses, including, among other things, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any of these individuals in any action or proceeding. We believe that these provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors. We also maintain customary directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our Bylaws and Charter may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other
stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers, as required by these indemnification provisions. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought and we are not aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENTmanagement.
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 15, 20201, 2021 by:
•each person, or group of affiliated persons, who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;
•each of our Named Executive Officers;
•each of our directors; and
•all of our current executive officers and directors as a group.
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. In addition, the rules include shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options or warrants that are either immediately exercisable or exercisable on or before June 14, 2020,May 31, 2021, which is 60 days after April 15, 2020.1, 2021. These shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding those options or warrants for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. For certain stockholders, the percentage ownership assumes the exercise of options. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons or entities identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.
Except as otherwise noted below, the address for persons listed in the table is c/o 2U, Inc., 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706.
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| Name of Beneficial Owner | Shares | Percentage |
| Principal Stockholders: | | |
ARK Investment Management LLC(1) | 13,261,577 | 17.9 | % |
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. / Nikko Asset Management Americas, Inc.(2) | 6,272,370 | 8.5 | % |
The Vanguard Group(3) | 6,223,733 | 8.4 | % |
Arrowmark Colorado Holdings, LLC(4) | 6,008,918 | 8.1 | % |
Wellington Management Group LLP(5) | 4,483,212 | 6.1 | % |
| Executive Officers and Directors | | |
Christopher J. Paucek(6) | 1,432,011 | | 1.9 | % |
Paul S. Lalljie(7) | 150,938 | | * |
Mark J. Chernis(8) | 293,901 | | * |
James Kenigsberg(9) | 306,647 | | * |
Matthew J. Norden(10) | 95,489 | | * |
John M. Larson(11) | 239,227 | | * |
Edward S. Macias(12) | 51,557 | | * |
Paul A. Maeder(13) | 125,757 | | * |
Robert M. Stavis(14) | 224,983 | | * |
Timothy M. Haley(15) | 78,377 | | * |
Sallie L. Krawcheck(16) | 72,233 | | * |
Earl Lewis(17) | 59,324 | | * |
Coretha M. Rushing(18) | 27,760 | | * |
Valerie B. Jarrett(19) | 17,279 | | * |
Gregory K. Peters(20) | 111,196 | | * |
Alexis Maybank(21) | 14,525 | | * |
| All current directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons) | 3,319,749 | | 4.5 | % |
*Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
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| Name of Beneficial Owner | | Shares | Percentage |
| Principal Stockholders: | | |
| ArrowMark Colorado Holdings, LLC(1) | 5,697,184 |
| 8.9 | % |
| The Vanguard Group(2) | 5,610,098 |
| 8.8 | % |
| ARK Investment Management LLC(3) | 5,220,253 |
| 8.2 | % |
| Nomura Global Financial Products, Inc.(4) | 5,266,173 |
| 8.2 | % |
| Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. / Nikko Asset Management Americas, Inc.(5) | 4,181,193 |
| 6.5 | % |
| Executive Officers and Directors | | |
| Christopher J. Paucek(6) | 1,455,070 |
| 2.2 | % |
| Paul S. Lalljie | — |
| * |
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| Catherine A. Graham(7) | 417,182 |
| * |
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| Mark J. Chernis(8) | 180,165 |
| * |
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| Harsha Mokkarala(9) | 139,525 |
| * |
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| James Kenigsberg(10) | 311,335 |
| * |
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| Matthew J. Norden(11) | 38,933 |
| * |
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| John M. Larson(12) | 227,496 |
| * |
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| Edward S. Macias(13) | 40,218 |
| * |
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| Paul A. Maeder(14) | 113,436 |
| * |
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| Robert M. Stavis(15) | 212,858 |
| * |
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| Timothy M. Haley(16) | 75,646 |
| * |
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| Sallie L. Krawcheck(17) | 60,894 |
| * |
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| Earl Lewis(18) | 47,789 |
| * |
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| Coretha M. Rushing(19) | 16,421 |
| * |
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| Valerie B. Jarrett(20) | 5,304 |
| * |
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| Gregory K. Peters(21) | 99,327 |
| * |
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| Alexis Maybank(22) | 3,100 |
| * |
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| All current directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons) | 2,888,083 |
| 4.5 | % |
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* | Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.2021 Proxy Statement | 61 |
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(1) | Beneficial ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2020 by ArrowMark Colorado Holdings, LLC (“ArrowMark”). According to its Schedule 13G filing, ArrowMark
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT (1)Beneficial ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 16, 2021 by ARK Investment Management LLC (“ARK”). According to its Schedule 13G filing, ARK has sole dispositive power with respect to 13,261,577 shares of our common stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock, sole voting power with respect to 11,265,301 shares of our common stock and shared voting power with respect to1,396,560 shares of our common stock. The principal business address of ARK is 3 East 28th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016. (2)Beneficial ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 5, 2021 by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. (“SMTH”) and Nikko Asset Management Co. Ltd (“NAM”). According to its Schedule 13G filing, SMTH and NAM have sole dispositive power with respect to 5,697,184 shares of our common stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock, sole voting power with respect to 5,697,184 shares of our common stock and shared voting power with respect 0 shares of our common stock. The principal business address of ArrowMark is 100 Fillmore Street, Suite 325, Denver, CO 80206. |
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(2) | Beneficial ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020 by The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”). According to its Schedule 13G filing, Vanguard has sole dispositive power with respect to 5,574,146 shares of our common stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 35,952 shares of our common stock, sole voting power with respect to 34,090 shares of our common stock and shared voting power with respect to 11,004 shares of our common stock. The principal business address of Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.
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(3) | Beneficial ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2020 by ARK Investment Management LLC (“ARK”). According to its Schedule 13G filing, ARK has sole dispositive power with respect to 5,220,253 shares of our common stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock, sole voting power with respect to 4,017,808 shares of our common stock and shared voting power with respect 334,322 shares of our common stock. The principal business address of ARK is 3 East 28th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
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(4) | Beneficial ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2020 by Nomura Holdings, Inc. (“Nomura”). According to its Schedule 13G filing, Nomura has sole dispositive power with respect
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to 0 shares of our common stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 5,266,1736,272,370 shares of our common stock, sole voting power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock and shared voting power with respect 5,266,173to 6,272,370 shares of our common stock. The principal business address of NomuraSMTH is 1-9-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku,1-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 103-8645,100-8233, Japan and the principal business address of NAM is Midtown Tower, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6242, Japan.
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(5) | Beneficial ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020 by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. (“SMTH”) and Nikko Asset Management Co. Ltd (“NAM”). According to its Schedule 13G filing, SMTH and NAM have sole dispositive power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 4,181,193 shares of our common stock, sole voting power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock and shared voting power with respect 4,181,193 shares of our common stock. The principal business address of SMTH is 1-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8233, Japan and the principal business address of NAM is Midtown Tower, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6242, Japan.
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(6) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 461,857(3)Beneficial ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2021 by The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”). According to its Schedule 13G filing, Vanguard has sole dispositive power with respect to 6,115,937 shares of our common stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 107,796 shares of our common stock, sole voting power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock and shared voting power with respect to 50,450 shares of our common stock. The principal business address of Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355. (4)Beneficial ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 16, 2021 by ArrowMark Colorado Holdings, LLC (“ArrowMark”). According to its Schedule 13G filing, ArrowMark has sole dispositive power with respect to 6,008,918 shares of our common stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock, sole voting power with respect to 6,008,918 shares of our common stock and shared voting power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock. The principal business address of ArrowMark is 100 Fillmore Street, Suite 325, Denver, CO 80206. (5)Beneficial ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 4, 2021 by Wellington Management Group LLP (“Wellington”), Wellington Group Holdings LLP (“Wellington Holdings”), Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP (“Wellington Advisors”) and Wellington Management Company LLP (“Wellington Company”). According to its Schedule 13G filing, each of Wellington, Wellington Holdings and Wellington Advisors has sole dispositive power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 4,483,212 shares of our common stock, sole voting power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock and shared voting power with respect to 3,889,271 shares of our common stock, and Wellington Company has sole dispositive power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock, shared dispositive power with respect to 4,216,424 shares of our common stock, sole voting power with respect to 0 shares of our common stock and shared voting power with respect to 3,849,200 shares of our common stock. The principal business address of Wellington is 280 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210. (6)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 378,180 shares of common stock held by Mr. Paucek directly and (b) 1,053,831 shares of common stock held by Mr. Paucek directly and (b) 993,213 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(7) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 39,165 shares of common stock held by Ms. Graham directly and (b) 378,017 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(8) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 76,876 shares of common stock held by Mr. Chernis directly and (b) 103,289 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(9) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 31,213 shares of common stock held by Mr. Mokkarala directly and (b) 108,312 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2019. |
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(10) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 116,043 shares of common stock held by Mr. Kenigsberg directly and (b) 195,292 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(11) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 8,962 shares of common stock held by Mr. Norden directly and (b) 28,742 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(12) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 68,090 shares of common stock held by Mr. Larson directly, (b) 21,495 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020, and (c) 137,911 shares of common stock held by Triumph Capital, LLC (“Triumph”). Mr. Larson is the sole member of Triumph and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by Triumph.
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(13) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 23,988 shares of common stock held by Mr. Macias directly and (b) 16,230 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(14) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 51,995 shares of common stock held by Mr. Maeder directly, (b) 21,495 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020, and (c) 39,946 shares of common stock held by Altaheide LLC (“Altaheide”). Mr. Maeder may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by Altaheide.
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(15) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 119,916 shares of common stock held by Mr. Stavis directly, (b) 35,707 shares of common stock held by Stavis Ventures II, LLC (“Stavis Ventures”), (c) 35,740 shares of common stock held by Stavco Venture Holdings LLC (“Stavco Venture Holdings”), and (d) 21,495 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. Stavis Ventures and Stavco Venture Holdings are controlled by Mr. Stavis, and Mr. Stavis disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by these entities, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
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(16) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 6,533 shares of common stock held by Mr. Haley directly, (b) 52,530 shares of common stock held by the Haley‑McGourty Family Trust U/D/T 9/27/96 (the “Haley Trust”), (c) 6,827 shares of common stock held by Haley‑McGourty Partners (“Haley Partners”), and (d) 9,756 shares of common stock
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underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020.1, 2021.
(7)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 150,938 shares of common stock held by Mr. Lalljie directly and (b) 0 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
(8)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 196,598 shares of common stock held by Mr. Chernis directly and (b) 97,303 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
(9)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 104,371 shares of common stock held by Mr. Kenigsberg directly and (b) 202,276 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
(10)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 57,671 shares of common stock held by Mr. Norden directly and (b) 36,589 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
(11)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 78,119 shares of common stock held by Mr. Larson directly, (b) 23,197 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021, and (c) 137,911 shares of common stock held by Triumph Capital, LLC (“Triumph”). Mr. Larson is the sole member of Triumph and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by Triumph.
(12)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 33,625 shares of common stock held by Mr. Macias directly and (b) 17,932 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
(13)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 62,614 shares of common stock held by Mr. Maeder directly, (b) 23,197 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021, and (c) 39,946 shares of common stock held by Altaheide LLC (“Altaheide”). Mr. Maeder may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by Altaheide.
(14)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 130,339 shares of common stock held by Mr. Stavis directly, (b) 35,707 shares of common stock held by Stavis Ventures II, LLC (“Stavis Ventures”), (c) 35,740 shares of common stock held by Stavco Venture Holdings LLC (“Stavco Venture Holdings”), and (d) 23,197 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021. Stavis Ventures is controlled by Mr. Stavis and Stavco Venture Holdings is controlled by Mr. Stavis' spouse. Mr. Stavis disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Stavis Ventures and Stavco Venture Holdings, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
(15)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 16,562 shares of common stock held by Mr. Haley directly, (b) 43,530 shares of common stock held by the Haley-McGourty Family Trust U/D/T 9/27/96 (the “Haley Trust”), (c) 6,827 shares of common stock held by Haley-McGourty Partners (“Haley Partners”), and (d) 11,458 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021. Mr. Haley may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Haley Trust and Haley Partners.
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(17) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 21,788 shares of common stock held by Ms. Krawcheck directly and (b) 39,106 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(18) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 8,683 shares of common stock held by Mr. Lewis directly and (b) 39,106 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(19) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 6,628 shares of common stock held by Ms. Rushing directly and (b) 9,793 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(20) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 2,233 shares of common stock held by Ms. Jarrett directly and (b) 3,071 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(21) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 96,670 shares of common stock held by Mr. Peters directly and (b) 2,657 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
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(22) | Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 1,339 shares of common stock held by Ms. Maybank directly and (b) 1,761 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2020. |
(16)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 31,425 shares of common stock held by Ms. Krawcheck directly and (b) 40,808 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
(17)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 18,516 shares of common stock held by Mr. Lewis directly and (b) 40,808 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
(18)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 16,265 shares of common stock held by Ms. Rushing directly and (b) 11,495 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
(19)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 12,070 shares of common stock held by Ms. Jarrett directly and (b) 5,209 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
(20)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 106,609 shares of common stock held by Mr. Peters directly and (b) 4,587 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
(21)Shares beneficially owned consist of (a) 11,003 shares of common stock held by Ms. Maybank directly and (b) 3,522 shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2021.
We know of no arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in the change of control of the Company.
Delinquent Sectionsection 16(a) Reportsreports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the Company’s equity securities. Executive officers, and beneficial owners of greater than 10% of our outstanding securities are required by SEC regulations to provide us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. Based solely on review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations from our executive officers and directors that no other reports were required, we believe that through December 31, 2019,2020, all of our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them, withthem.
Questions and answers about these proxy materials and voting.
What is the exceptionpurpose of one Form 4 that was not filedthe Meeting?
At the Meeting, stockholders will consider and vote on the following matters:
•To elect four Class I directors, nominated by the Board, to serve on the Board until the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal;
•To approve, on a timelynon-binding advisory basis, by John Larson. On May 22, 2019, Triumph Capital, LLC received 41,689 shares of Company common stock as part of its pro rata consideration in respectthe compensation of the Company’s acquisitionNamed Executive Officers;
•To ratify the appointment of Trilogy. Mr. LarsonKPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2021 fiscal year;
•To consider a stockholder proposal to elect each director annually, if properly presented at the meeting; and
•To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
These proxy solicitation materials are being sent to our stockholders on or about April 19, 2021.
Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?
We are pleased to take advantage of the SEC rule that allows companies to furnish their proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we have sent our stockholders of record and beneficial owners a notice regarding Internet availability of proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a paper copy may be found in the Notice. In addition, stockholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail on an ongoing basis. A stockholder’s election to receive proxy materials by mail will remain in effect until the stockholder terminates such election.
Why is this Meeting being held virtually?
Due to the continuing impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the Company is holding its Meeting in an online format. In addition, we believe that hosting the Meeting online enables increased attendance and participation from locations around the world, reduces costs and aligns with the Company’s broader sustainability goals. The virtual meeting has been designed to provide the same rights to participate as you would have at an in-person meeting.
How can I get electronic access to the proxy materials?
You can view the proxy materials on the Internet at: www.proxyvote.com. Please have your 16-digit control number available. Your 16-digit control number can be found on your Notice. If you requested and received a paper copy of your proxy materials, your 16-digit control number can be found on your proxy card.
Our proxy materials are also available on our Investor Relations website at: http://investor.2u.com. References to our website in this proxy statement are not intended to function as hyperlinks, and the information contained on our website is not intended to be incorporated into this proxy statement.
Who is entitled to vote at the Meeting?
The Board has determined that those stockholders who are recorded in our record books as owning shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as of the close of business on April 9, 2021, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of the record date, there were 74,404,008shares issued and outstanding. Each share of our common stock that you owned on the record date entitles you to one vote on each matter that is voted on at the Meeting. Your shares may be (1) held directly in your name as the stockholder of record and/or (2) held for you as the beneficial owner through a broker, bank or other nominee. Our common stock is our only class of outstanding voting securities.
What is the sole memberdifference between holding shares as a stockholder of Triumph Capital, LLC. A Form 4 was filed to report the transaction by Mr. Larson on August 12, 2019.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
All related party transactions are reviewedrecord and as appropriate,a beneficial owner?
Many of our stockholders hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
Stockholder of Record
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“AST”), you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us or to vote in person (virtually) at the Meeting.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Beneficial Owner
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and your broker, bank or nominee is considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker on how to vote your shares and are also invited to attend the Meeting. However, because you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person (virtually) at the Meeting unless you obtain a signed proxy from the record holder giving you the right to vote the shares. Your broker, bank or nominee, as the stockholder of record, has enclosed or provided a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the broker, bank or nominee how to vote your shares, or, if permitted by your broker, bank or nominee, you may be approvedable to use the Internet or ratified bytelephone to provide voting instructions. If you do not provide the Audit Committee. If a directorstockholder of record with voting instructions, your shares may constitute broker non-votes. The effect of broker non-votes is involvedmore specifically described in “What vote is required to approve each item?” below.
What do I need to attend the virtual Meeting?
We will be hosting our Meeting via live webcast. Stockholders can attend the Meeting online at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting. com/TWOU2021. The webcast will begin at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time. We encourage you to access the Meeting prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin at 2:45 p.m., Eastern Time, and you should allow approximately 15 minutes for the online check-in procedures. In order to participate in the transaction, heMeeting, you will need the 16-digit control number located on your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Additional rules of conduct regarding the Meeting may not participatebe provided during the Meeting.
How can I submit a question at the Meeting?
If you would like to submit a question for the Meeting, you may do so at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ TWOU2021, by typing your question into the dialog box provided at any point during the Meeting (until the floor is closed to questions).
What if I have technical difficulties or trouble accessing the Meeting?
If you encounter any technical difficulties with accessing the virtual Meeting, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the Meeting website log-in page.
How do I vote?
Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in anystreet name, you may direct your vote without attending the Meeting. You may vote by granting a proxy or, for shares held in street name, by submitting voting instructions to your broker, bank or nominee.
Please refer to the summary instructions below and those included on your proxy card and in the Notice or, for shares held in street name, the voting instruction card included by your broker, bank or nominee.
Stockholder of Record
If you are a stockholder of record, the Notice instructs you as to how (i) you may access and review approval or ratification of such transaction. Related party transactions are approved by the Audit Committee only if, based on all of the factsproxy materials on the Internet, (ii) you may submit your proxy, and circumstances, they are in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests(iii) to receive paper copies of the Companyproxy materials if you wish. No printed materials will be available unless you specifically request them by following the instructions in the “Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials.”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
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| Vote by mail You may vote by mail by marking, signing and dating your proxy card and mailing it in the pre-addressed envelope. If the pre-addressed envelope is missing, please mail your completed proxy card to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. If you provide specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as you instruct, unless you validly revoke your proxy. Broadridge must receive your proxy card no later than June 02, 2021, the day before the Meeting, for your proxy and your vote to be counted. If you sign and return your proxy card but you do not specify how you want to vote your shares, we will vote them as recommended by the Board, if applicable, which is set forth above. The Board has not recommended a vote for Proposal 4, which means that your shares will not be voted in respect of Proposal 4 if you do not indicate how your shares should be voted. We do not currently anticipate that any other matters will be presented for action at the Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented for action, the persons named on your proxy will vote your shares on these other matters in their discretion, under the discretionary authority you have granted to them in your proxy. |
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| Vote by Internet To vote via the Internet before the Meeting, log on to: www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions on the Notice or proxy card. We permit Internet proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. You must submit your Internet proxy before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on June 2, 2021, the day before the Meeting, for your proxy and your vote to be counted. Please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your Internet access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies. You may also vote during the Meeting at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2021 by using the 16-digit control number on your Notice or proxy card. |
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| Vote by telephone To vote via telephone call the toll-free number on your Notice or proxy card. Telephone voting is available 24 hours per day until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on June 2, 2021, the day before the meeting. |
Beneficial Owner
If you hold shares through a broker, bank or nominee in street name, you will need to follow the voting instructions provided by your broker, bank or nominee. Many brokers, banks or nominees offer the option to vote by the Internet or telephone. The availability of Internet and telephone voting for beneficial owners will depend on the voting process of your broker, bank or other holder of record. Therefore, we recommend that you follow the voting instructions you receive.
If you own shares in street name through a broker, bank or nominee and you do not provide instructions to your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote your shares, your broker, bank or nominee has discretion to vote these shares on certain “routine” matters, including the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, on non-routine matters, such as the election of directors and the best interestsapproval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of our stockholders,the compensation of the Company’s NEOs, your broker must receive voting instructions from you because it does not have discretionary voting power for these proposals. Therefore, it is important that you provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee. So long as the Audit Committee determinesbroker has discretion to vote on at least one proposal, these “broker non-votes” are counted toward establishing a quorum.
Can I change my vote after I submit my proxy or voting instructions?
Yes. If you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record, even after you have submitted your proxy, you may change your vote at any time prior to the close of voting at the Meeting by:
•filing with our Corporate Secretary at 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706 a signed, original written notice of revocation dated later than the proxy you submitted;
•submitting a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date; or
•voting again via the Internet, including during the Meeting.
If you grant a proxy, you are not prevented from attending the Meeting (virtually) and voting via Internet at the Meeting. However, your attendance at the Meeting will not by itself revoke a proxy that you have previously granted; you must vote via Internet at the Meeting to revoke your proxy.
If your shares are held in good faith.a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you may revoke your voting instructions by following the instructions provided by your broker, bank or nominee.
All shares that have been properly voted and not revoked will be voted at the Meeting.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Is there a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting?
A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be available for examination by the Company’s stockholders for any purpose germane to the Meeting for a period of ten days prior to the Meeting during regular business hours, at the Company’s principal place of business at 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706. If our headquarters are closed for health and safety reasons related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during such period, the list of stockholders will be made available for inspection upon request via email to: investorinfo@2u.com subject to our satisfactory verification of stockholder status. During the Meeting, the list of stockholders will be made available at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/TWOU2021.
What constitutes a quorum to transact business at the Meeting?
Before any business may be transacted at the Meeting, a quorum must be present. The Audit Committee takes into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whetherpresence at the transaction is on terms generally available to an unaffiliated third‑party under the sameMeeting, in person (virtually) or similar circumstances and the extentby proxy, of the related party’s interest in the transaction.
Related Person Transaction Policy
The Company has adopted a written related person transaction policy that sets forth our procedures for the identification, review, consideration and approval or ratification of related person transactions. For purposes of our policy only, a related person transaction is a transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions,
arrangements or relationships, in which we and any related person are, were or will be participants in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000. Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee or director are not covered by this policy. A related person is any executive officer, director or beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.
Under the policy, if a transaction has been identified as a related person transaction, including any transaction that was not a related person transaction when originally consummated or any transaction that was not initially identified as a related person transaction prior to consummation, our management must present information regarding the related person transaction to our Audit Committee, or, if Audit Committee approval would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our Board, for review, consideration and approval or ratification. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the interests, direct and indirect, of the related persons, the benefits to us of the transaction and whether the transaction is on terms that are comparable to the terms available to or from, as the case may be, an unrelated third party or to or from employees generally. Under the policy, we collect information that we deem reasonably necessary from each director, executive officer and, to the extent feasible, significant stockholder to enable us to identify any existing or potential related person transactions and to effectuate the terms of the policy. In addition, under our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our employees and directors have an affirmative responsibility to disclose any transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. In considering related person transactions, our Audit Committee, or other independent body of our Board, will take into account the relevant available facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to:
the risks, costs and benefits to us;
the impact on a director’s independence in the event that the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated;
the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and
the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from employees generally.
The policy requires that, in determining whether to approve, ratify or reject a related person transaction, our Audit Committee, or other independent body of our Board, must consider, in light of known circumstances, whether the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests and those of our stockholders, as our Audit Committee, or other independent body of our Board, determines in the good faith exercise of its discretion.
Certain Related Person Transactions
Other than as set forth below, there have been no transactions since January 1, 2019 to which we have been a participant in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than five percent of our capital stock, or any members of their immediate family, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation arrangements which are described under “Executive Compensation.” For a description of severance arrangements that we have entered into with some of our executive officers, please see “Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment and in Connection with Change of Control Arrangements.”
Merger Agreement
On April 7, 2019, we entered into a definitive agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) to acquire Trilogy for total consideration of $750 million payable in a combination of cash and stock, subject to certain customary purchase price adjustments (the “Transaction”). Certain equity holders of Trilogy have affiliations with two of our directors. Mr. Larson is the sole member of Triumph Capital LLC (“Triumph”), which owns approximately 1% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Trilogy on a fully‑diluted basis. Mr. Maeder is one of six managing members of Highland Management Partners 9 LLC, and Highland Management Partners 9 (SPV) LLC, each of which is the general partner of certain other entities, which are the general partners of certain funds managed or advised by Highland Capital Partners (the “Highland Investing Entities”), which Highland Investing Entities collectively own approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of Trilogy on a fully‑diluted basis. Mr. Maeder has advised the Company that his indirect financial interest in Trilogy through the Highland Investing Entities is expected to be less than 1% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Trilogy.
Prior to the Company submitting its initial indication of interest regarding the acquisition of Trilogy, Messrs. Larson and Maeder advised the Board and management of their respective indirect financial interests in Trilogy, as well as the fact that neither Mr. Larson, Mr. Maeder nor Triumph has any governance rights over Trilogy or control over the board of
directors of Trilogy and does not hold any director, officer, employee, consulting or similar role with Trilogy. In addition, Mr. Maeder confirmed that he does not hold dispositive or voting control over the Trilogy shares held by the Highland Investing Entities. Although the Highland Investing Entities do hold two out of seven board seats at Trilogy, approval of the potential transaction between Trilogy and the Company required the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote will constitute a quorum. At the close of business on the record date, 74,404,008 shares were issued and outstanding. Proxies received but marked as abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the Meeting for purposes of a quorum.
What is the recommendation of the Board of Directors?
Our Board recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of the four Class I directors, nominated by the Board, to serve on the Board until the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal; “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2021 fiscal year. The Board makes no recommendation either FOR or AGAINST the stockholder proposal to elect each director annually.
What vote is required to approve each item?
For each of the proposals, the applicable voting recommendation, and treatment of abstentions and broker-non votes are as follows:
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| Voting Item | Voting Standard | Treatment of Abstentions | Treatment of Broker
Non-Votes |
| 1 | Election of Directors | Plurality of votes cast, with director nominees who receive the greatest number of votes at the Meeting (up to the number of directors to be elected) being elected | N/A | No effect |
| 2 | Advisory Approval of Compensation of our Named Executive Officers | Majority of votes present or represented by proxy at the Meeting | Same effect as votes “AGAINST” | No effect |
| 3 | Ratification of Appointment of KPMG LLP | Majority of votes present orrepresented by proxy at theMeeting | Same effect as votes“AGAINST” | Not applicable as brokers generally have discretion to vote |
| 4 | Advisory Approval of Stockholder proposal to elect each director annually | Majority of shares present or represented by proxy at the Meeting | Same effect as votes “AGAINST” | No effect |
A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker, bank or other holder of record holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because that holder does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. If you are a beneficial owner, your broker, bank or other holder of record is permitted to vote your shares on “routine” matters even if the record holder does not receive voting instructions from you. Absent instructions from you, the record holder may not vote on any “non-routine” matter, including the election of directors and the approval, of various classes of Trilogy stock, including classes of Trilogy stock which are not controlled by the Highland Investing Entities, and therefore, neither the board seats nor the shares of Trilogy held by the Highland Investing Entities were sufficient to control Trilogy’s decision to enter into the proposed transaction. In January 2019, upon the recommendationon a non-binding advisory basis, of the Nominatingcompensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers. Without your voting instructions, a broker non-vote will occur.
Where can I find the voting results of the Meeting?
We will announce preliminary voting results at the Meeting and Corporate Governance Committee,will publicly disclose results in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days after the Board formed a transaction committeedate of the Meeting.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING
Who will count the votes?
A representative from Broadridge Financial Solutions will both tabulate the votes and serve as the inspector of election.
Who will pay for the cost of this proxy solicitation?
We will bear the costs of soliciting proxies. We are soliciting proxies for the Meeting in the following ways:
•Our directors, officers and employees may, without additional pay, solicit proxies by telephone or by electronic communication.
•We will request banks, brokers, nominees, custodians and other fiduciaries who hold shares in street name to forward these proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of those shares, and we will reimburse them the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses they incur in doing so.
When are stockholder proposals and director nominations due for next year’s annual meeting of stockholders?
Any proposals that our stockholders wish to have included in our proxy statement and form of proxy for the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received by us no later than the close of business on December 20, 2021 and must otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8.
For proposals or nominations outside of Rule 14a-8, the Company’s amended and restated bylaws (the “Transaction CommitteeBylaws”) provide that, in order for a stockholder to nominate a director or bring a proposal before the stockholders at an annual meeting of the Company other than matters set forth in the Notice of Meeting, such stockholder must have delivered timely prior written notice to the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on March 5, 2022 nor earlier than the close of business on February 4, 2022. In the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 25 days prior to or delayed by more than 25 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which the public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the purposegiving of reviewinga stockholder’s notice as described above. Stockholders are also advised to review our Bylaws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and considering the potential transaction with Trilogy. The Transaction Committee consists of four directors—Messrs. Haley, Macias, and Stavis and Ms. Maybank—all of whom are “independent directors,” as defined under applicable Nasdaq listing standards and the rulesdirector nominations. A copy of the SEC, and none of whom have any interest in the Transaction.
On April 5, 2019, after a thorough review and due consideration of the Transaction, including full disclosure of Mr. Maeder’s and Mr. Larson’s interests therein, the Transaction Committee unanimously recommendedBylaws can be obtained without charge by written request to the Board that it approveCorporate Secretary, 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706 and is available without charge on the Merger Agreement and the Transaction. The Transaction Committee reviewed and approved the Transaction under our related person transaction policy. On April 6, 2019, the full Board met to consider the Merger Agreement and the Transactions. Following a thorough review and due consideration of the Transaction, including full disclosure of Mr. Maeder’s and Mr. Larson’s interests therein, the full Board (other than Mr. Maeder and Mr. Larson who recused themselves from the vote) unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the Transactions.Company’s website at: http://investor.2u.com.
Any proposals or notices should be sent to: INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE2U, INC.
7900 HARKINS ROAD
LANHAM, MARYLAND 20706
ATTENTION: CORPORATE SECRETARY
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT SHALL UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
Incorporation by reference.
In accordance with SEC rules, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous or future filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that might incorporate this proxy statement or future filings made by 2U into such filings, and those portions of the information included under the caption “Audit Committee Report” required by the SEC’s rules to be included therein, shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any of those prior filings or into any future filings made by 2U under those statutes, except to the extent we specifically incorporate these items by reference.
We have not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement the information included on or linked from our website, and you should not consider it to be part of this proxy statement.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF STOCKHOLDER DOCUMENTSImportant notice regarding delivery of stockholder documents.
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy proxy material delivery requirements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is referred to as “householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and reduces printing and postage costs for companies.
Some brokers utilize the householding process for proxy materials, in which case, only one copy of this proxy statement or our Annual Report to Stockholders may be sent to two or more stockholders sharing the same address. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards. If you hold your 2U stock in “street name,” additional information regarding householding of proxy materials should be forwarded to you by your broker.
If you wish to receive a separate copy of this proxy statement or our Annual Report to Stockholders, we will promptly deliver one to you upon request. You can notify us by sending a written request to 2U, Inc., 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706, Attention: Corporate Secretary, or by calling the Corporate Secretary at (301) 892‑4350.892-4350. In addition, if you would like to receive separate proxy statements and annual reports of 2U in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies of annual reports and proxy statements at an address shared with another stockholder and would like to participate in householding, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account or us at the above address and telephone number if you hold registered shares.
Other matters.
The Board knows of no other matters that have been submitted for consideration at the Meeting other than those referred to in this proxy statement. By submitting the proxy, the stockholder authorizes the persons named on the proxy to use their discretion in voting on any matter brought before the Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
CHRISTOPHER “CHIP” PAUCEK
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
April 19, 2021
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| 70 | By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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| Christopher “Chip” Paucek
Co‑Founder & Chief Executive Officer
April 30, 2020
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