Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed a Form 8-K on November 13, 2026, disclosing that M. Farooq Kathwari resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer on November 9, 2026, that Stefanie T. Ward was appointed Interim CEO effective the same date, and that director Douglas Bergeron was appointed Executive Chairman.

Key Highlights

  • CEO resignation: M. Farooq Kathwari resigned as President and CEO of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and its subsidiary Ethan Allen Global, Inc., effective November 9, 2026.
  • Interim CEO appointed: Stefanie T. Ward, age 46, was appointed Interim CEO effective November 9, 2026, for an initial term of six months.
  • Base salary: Ward's employment agreement provides a base salary of $75,000 per month.
  • Cash bonus: Ward is entitled to a Term Bonus with a target amount of $150,000 and a maximum amount of $250,000.
  • RSU grant: Ward is entitled to a grant of Restricted Stock Units with a total value of $200,000, with 50% vested on the date of grant and 50% vesting upon successful conclusion of the initial term.
  • Executive Chairman: The Board appointed director Douglas Bergeron, age 65, as Executive Chairman, effective November 9, 2026.

Leadership Transition at Ethan Allen: Kathwari Out, Ward and Bergeron Step In

According to the filing, M. Farooq Kathwari resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (NYSE:ETD) and its subsidiary Ethan Allen Global, Inc. on November 9, 2026, effective immediately. The filing does not state a reason for the resignation. On the same date, the Board of Directors appointed Stefanie T. Ward as Interim CEO and Douglas Bergeron as Executive Chairman, both effective immediately.

The filing describes Ward's professional background as including executive roles at Neiman Marcus Group LLC from 2018 to March 2025, most recently as Executive Vice President, Chief Integrated Retail and Customer Officer from July 2023 to March 2025. Prior to that, she served as Vice President and General Manager, Studios and Omnichannel Services, at Sephora SA from 2016 to 2018. Since June 2025, the filing states, she has served as a fractional executive and advisor to CEOs, investors, and early stage companies. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, according to the filing.

Under the Ward Employment Agreement, the filing discloses that if Ward's employment is terminated "Without Cause," she will be entitled to a prorated Term Bonus based on the number of weeks worked during the initial term, calculated at the target amount. The filing notes that no family relationships exist between Ward and any of the company's directors or other executive officers, and that there are no other arrangements pursuant to which she was selected. Regarding Bergeron, the filing describes his background as including service as CEO of VeriFone Systems, Inc. from 2001 to 2013, and as Chairman of the Board of Cantaloupe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTLP) from 2020 until its acquisition in May 2026.

What Was Disclosed

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. disclosed the November 9, 2026 resignation of its President and CEO, the appointment of Stefanie T. Ward as Interim CEO under a six-month employment agreement, and the appointment of Douglas Bergeron as Executive Chairman, all effective immediately on that date.