Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. filed a Form 8-K on October 23, 2026, disclosing that director Kate Eberle Walker notified the company of her resignation from the board and Audit Committee, effective December 1, 2026.

Key Highlights

  • Resignation notice: Kate Eberle Walker informed Barnes & Noble Education of her decision to resign as a director and Audit Committee member on October 22, 2026.
  • Effective date: The resignation takes effect December 1, 2026.
  • Reason cited: The filing states the resignation is "in connection with her acceptance of a role leading the US Higher Education business unit of Pearson, plc."
  • Replacement search underway: The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is in the process of identifying a replacement for Ms. Eberle Walker on the board and Audit Committee.
  • Signing officer: The filing was signed by Christopher Neumann, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, on October 23, 2026.

Director Departure Details and Board Response at Barnes & Noble Education

According to the filing, Kate Eberle Walker notified Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE:BNED) on October 22, 2026, of her intention to step down as a member of the company's board of directors and its Audit Committee. Her departure is tied directly to a new professional commitment: the filing states she is leaving "in connection with her acceptance of a role leading the US Higher Education business unit of Pearson, plc."

The company disclosed that her resignation will become effective December 1, 2026, giving the board a window to manage the transition. In response, the filing states that the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee "is in the process of identifying a replacement for Ms. Eberle Walker on the board and Audit Committee." No timeline for that search was provided in the filing.

Barnes & Noble Education is incorporated in Delaware and headquartered at 180 Park Avenue, Suite 301, Florham Park, NJ 07932. The company's common stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BNED.

What Was Disclosed

Barnes & Noble Education disclosed the planned resignation of director and Audit Committee member Kate Eberle Walker, effective December 1, 2026, citing her acceptance of a new role at Pearson, plc. The board's nominating committee has begun searching for a replacement.