DGB Investment, Inc. and Douglas G. Bergeron filed definitive additional proxy materials (DFAN14A) with the SEC on October 28, 2026, announcing that Stefanie Tsen Ward has been identified as the intended interim CEO candidate for Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. if DGB's slate of five director nominees is elected at the November 4, 2026 annual meeting.

Key Highlights

  • Interim CEO candidate named: Stefanie Tsen Ward, one of DGB's five existing director nominees, is identified as the intended interim Chief Executive Officer following the 2026 Annual Meeting, according to the filing.
  • Bergeron ownership stake: Douglas G. Bergeron, together with his affiliates and associates, holds beneficial ownership of approximately 5.2% of Ethan Allen's outstanding common stock, as disclosed in the filing.
  • Ward's prior role: The filing states that Ward most recently served as Chief Integrated Retail and Customer Officer at Neiman Marcus Group, where she oversaw approximately 70% of total company revenue, more than 40 stores, and 6,000 associates at the $4.5 billion retailer.
  • Remote selling scale: According to the filing, Ward scaled Neiman Marcus' associate-led remote selling into a $1 billion business during her tenure.
  • Planned transition structure: The filing states that Ward would assume day-to-day operations immediately following the Annual Meeting, while a temporary Strategy and Transformation Committee comprising all five directors executes a first 100-day plan and conducts a search for a permanent CEO.
  • Kathwari advisory role proposed: The filing discloses that Ethan Allen's Chairman, President and CEO Farooq Kathwari would be offered a non-voting advisory role as Chairman Emeritus during the planned leadership transition.
  • Annual meeting date: Shareholders are urged in the filing to vote the WHITE proxy card ahead of the November 4 Annual Meeting.

DGB's Proxy Campaign at Ethan Allen: Ward's Background and the Proposed 100-Day Plan

In definitive additional proxy materials filed October 28, 2026, DGB Investment, Inc. and Douglas G. Bergeron disclosed their intent to recommend that a reconstituted Ethan Allen board appoint Stefanie Tsen Ward as interim CEO if DGB's five nominees are elected at the November 4, 2026 annual meeting. The filing identifies Ward as one of the five nominees already seeking board seats. NYSE:ETD is the exchange and ticker cited in the filing for Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.

The filing describes Ward's background as including senior positions at Neiman Marcus Group, Sephora, and Louis Vuitton. At Neiman Marcus Group, she held the title of Chief Integrated Retail and Customer Officer and, according to the filing, oversaw approximately 70% of total company revenue, more than 40 stores, and 6,000 associates. The filing credits her with restoring customer growth, improving store-level profitability, and scaling associate-led remote selling into a $1 billion business. She previously held roles overseeing in-store digital tools and omnichannel services at Sephora and served as General Manager of Canada at Louis Vuitton, per the filing.

DGB's disclosed plan calls for Ward to lead day-to-day operations immediately after the Annual Meeting while a Strategy and Transformation Committee comprising all five directors completes what the filing describes as a "rigorous search for a permanent CEO." The filing outlines priorities for the first 100 days including assessing business functions, setting owners and KPIs for each initiative, and challenging the status quo across customer, brand, product, digital, stores, manufacturing, technology, talent, and capital allocation. The filing also states that Farooq Kathwari, currently Chairman, President and CEO, would be offered a non-voting advisory role as Chairman Emeritus during the transition.

What Was Disclosed

DGB filed definitive additional proxy materials on October 28, 2026, identifying Stefanie Tsen Ward as the intended interim CEO candidate for Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. if DGB's five director nominees are elected at the November 4, 2026 annual meeting, and outlining a proposed first 100-day operational plan.