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Get filing alertsInternational Paper adds two independent directors, two long-serving board members to retire
Filed July 17, 2026 · Period ending July 14, 2026 · ~1 min read
Key Changes
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Katherine Collins (30+ years sustainable investing, ex-Putnam) and Lori Ryerkerk (ex-CEO Celanese, led $11B DuPont acquisition) join board Oct 1, 2026 as independent directors; both stand for election May 2027.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR → -
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Dr. Kathryn Sullivan (9 years) and Ahmet Dorduncu (15 years) retire Dec 31, 2026 under new 12-year term limit adopted March 2026; no disagreements with company cited.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR → -
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Board expands to 13 members (12 independent) with October appointments; will return to 11 after year-end retirements.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR → -
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New directors receive prorated cash and equity retainers consistent with standard non-employee director compensation disclosed in March 2026 proxy.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR →
Summary
International Paper is refreshing its board with two new independent directors while two long-tenured members retire under newly adopted term limits. Lori Ryerkerk adds deep operational experience from her tenure as CEO of Celanese, where she led an $11 billion acquisition. Both join October 1, 2026 and will stand for election at the May 2027 annual meeting. The retirements of Dr.
Kathryn Sullivan (9 years of service) and Ahmet Dorduncu (15 years) are tied to the company's March 2026 governance changes, which eliminated the age-75 mandatory retirement but introduced a 12-year term limit. The filing explicitly states neither retirement stems from disagreements with management. The board temporarily expands to 13 members before returning to 11 after year-end.
For retail holders, this is a planned governance refresh that maintains board independence (12 of 13 members) while adding expertise in sustainability and specialty materials—both relevant to International Paper's operations. The orderly transition and explicit no-disagreement language suggest routine succession planning rather than any operational concern.
Section-by-Section Diff
Event · Exhibit 99.1
International Paper appoints Katherine Collins and Lori J. Ryerkerk to its Board effective October 1, 2026; two directors retire year-end.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
Katherine Collins and Lori J. Ryerkerk have been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors, effective October 1, 2026.
International Paper is adding two new independent directors to its board. Katherine Collins brings over 30 years of asset management and sustainable investing experience, most recently as Head of Sustainable Investing at Putnam Investments where she built a platform managing over $10 billion in sustainable assets. Lori J. Ryerkerk brings over 40 years of experience in energy, chemicals, and specialty materials, most recently as Chairman, President and CEO of Celanese Corporation where she led an $11 billion acquisition of DuPont's Mobility & Materials business.
Show 1 minor / wording change
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
two directors plan to retire from serving on IP’s board of directors at the end of 2026: Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, who has served on the IP board since 2017, and Ahmet Dorduncu, who has served on the IP board since 2011.
Two long-serving directors are retiring from International Paper's board at year-end 2026. Dr. Kathryn Sullivan has served for 9 years since 2017, and Ahmet Dorduncu has served for 15 years since 2011. The retirements appear to be planned transitions coinciding with the addition of two new directors, maintaining board continuity while refreshing expertise.
Event · Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation
International Paper appointed two independent directors effective Oct 2026 and announced two directors retiring Dec 2026.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
On July 14, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of International Paper Company (the “Company”), upon the recommendation of the Company’s Governance Committee, appointed Katherine Collins and Lori J. Ryerkerk to serve as independent directors to the Board effective October 1, 2026. Ms. Collins and Ms. Ryerkerk's terms as independent directors will expire at the annual meeting of the Company’s shareowners in May 2027 where they will be nominated by the Board for re-election. With the appointment of Ms. Collins and Ms. Ryerkerk, the Board now consists of 13 members, 12 of whom are independent.
The Board appointed Katherine Collins and Lori J. Ryerkerk as independent directors effective October 1, 2026, expanding the Board to 13 members with 12 independent directors. Both will stand for re-election at the May 2027 annual meeting.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
Further, on July 14, 2026, members of the Board acknowledged the intentions of Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan and Ahmet C. Dorduncu to retire from Board service effective December 31, 2026. Neither Dr. Sullivan nor Mr. Dorduncu’s retirements are due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies, or practices. Their planned retirements are in accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, which were amended in March 2026, to eliminate the mandatory retirement age of 75, effective December 31, 2026, and adopt a 12-year term limit for directors.
Two current directors, Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan and Ahmet C. Dorduncu, will retire effective December 31, 2026, in accordance with the newly adopted 12-year term limit. The retirements are not due to any disagreements with the Company.
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Figures/quotes linked to EDGAR · Narrative written by AI · Jul 21, 2026 · How we verify