Table of Contents
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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Filed by the Registrant |
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Filed by a party other
than the Registrant |
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CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its
Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy
Statement, if other than the Registrant)
PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK ALL BOXES THAT APPLY): |
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No fee required |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
About Us
#WEAREADTALEM
Adtalem Global Education is a leading healthcare
educator and provider of professional talent to vital healthcare, behavioral sciences, education and related sectors of the global
economy. Adtalem is the parent organization of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Chamberlain University,
Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and Walden University.
STUDENT FOCUSED
Empowering individuals is the meaning behind our name – Adtalem
Global Education. Adtalem (pronunciation: ad TAL em) is Latin for “To Empower.”
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MISSION |
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VISION |
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PURPOSE |
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We provide global
access to knowledge
that transforms lives and
enables
careers. |
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To create a dynamic global
community of life-long learners
who improve
the world. |
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We empower students to
achieve their goals, find success,
and make
inspiring contributions
to our global community. |
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WE
ARE
5
institutions |
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MORE
THAN
10,000
colleagues |
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WITH
A NETWORK OF NEARLY
275,000 alumni
located in all 50 states – addressing nursing and physician
shortages, particularly in underserved communities |
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WITH
27
operating campuses |
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As of October 1, 2022.
Table of Contents
Message from our President and CEO, Steve
Beard
October 14, 2022
To our Shareholders:
Fiscal year 2022 proved to be an important inflection point
for the company as we repositioned ourselves as a leading healthcare educator. The acquisition of Walden University and
the divestiture of our Financial Services segment brought clarity and simplicity to the portfolio and provided attractive
opportunities to realize synergies across our operating model. In our current configuration, we believe we are well positioned
to advance our mission of expanding access to high quality education. Our scale and focus are unique in the marketplace.
As demand for healthcare professionals continues to intensify, and improving health equity remains a priority, our ability
to deliver – at scale – a highly diverse cohort of practice-ready clinicians, has never been more valuable.
Our performance for the full year was in line with our revised expectations,
despite lingering headwinds from the pandemic. In addition to the strategic repositioning of the company and integration of Walden
University, we strengthened our financial position through the realization of cost synergies and margin expansion and executed
a thoughtful capital allocation strategy inclusive of debt repayment, share repurchases and select investments in differentiating
capabilities.
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Our success was driven by our colleagues’ dedication to our mission.
We enjoy a committed and motivated workforce and are pleased to have been able to attract significant new talent to the organization
over the past year, including several key leadership appointments, despite a challenging labor market. Our colleagues’ openness
to change and willingness to adopt new, more efficient ways of serving our customers was impressive, and wholly reflects the passion
and expertise that is embedded throughout our organization.
STUDENT CENTRICITY IS OUR CORE FOCUS
Our students represent who we serve and how we serve —
they are our most valuable contribution to society, and they are at the center of all that we do. Their success in realizing their
academic and professional ambitions and making a positive impact on the world will always be our north star. In this spirit, expanding
equitable access to education for more students remains foundational to our organization. We believe that education can be a powerful
engine of economic mobility and social impact. And while we have tremendous respect and admiration for those institutions whose
value proposition is based on historical prestige and selectivity, we are intentional in seeking to serve an overlooked community
of learners – and do so with impressive outcomes. Over the past year we continued to focus on, and deliver against, this
commitment to produce highly trained, practice-ready professionals who are a collective force for good in the communities and
organizations they serve.
2022 Proxy Statement 1
Table of Contents
Message from our President and CEO, Steve Beard
In fiscal year 2022, Adtalem’s nursing programs across Chamberlain
University and Walden University proudly graduated more than 19,000 nurses with either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN),
Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing or certificate in Nursing. Across our two medical institutions — American
University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Ross University School of Medicine —we celebrated more than 750 physicians
at our graduation ceremonies; with combined first-time residency match rates achieving 96% for first-time eligible 2021-2022 graduates.1
At Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, our pass rate on the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam®
(NAVLE) reached 83%, exceeding the American Veterinary Medical Association’s standard.2 As the number one
conferrer of MD and PhD degrees to African Americans, and BSN degrees to underrepresented minority students in the U.S., Adtalem’s
institutions are helping pave a path toward health equity.3 These outcomes, combined with more than 275,000 alumni
across our institutions, underscore both the scale of our impact and our commitment to delivering strong academic and professional
achievements.
ANSWERING THE CALL FOR HEALTHCARE TALENT
This next fiscal year represents an exciting opportunity to build upon
the groundwork we laid in fiscal year 2022: continuation of our multi-pronged capital allocation strategy, enhancement of our
competitive differentiating capabilities, expansion of new and existing partnerships with leading healthcare providers and consistent
delivery of strong academic outcomes.
As we look ahead to fiscal year 2023 and beyond, our sharpened focus,
financial strength and market-leading capacity to deliver against increasingly unmet demand for healthcare talent, uniquely positions
us to realize our growth ambitions and deliver more value for our stakeholders. I, and the entire leadership team, remain energized
by the opportunity to make an outsized impact on the communities in which we work, live and serve. We hope you share this excitement,
and on behalf of the entire Adtalem Global Education team and board of directors, we thank you for your continued confidence in
– and support of – our mission.
Steve Beard
President and CEO
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Data Source: National Resident Matching Program®, Results and Data: 2022 Main Residency Match.
Adtalem data has been normalized for consistency with US methodology for comparison purposes and contains residencies attained
through the NRMP Main Match. |
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https://veterinary.rossu.edu/about/accreditation |
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MD degrees granted by the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Ross University School of Medicine;
PhD degrees by Walden University; BSN degrees by Chamberlain University, analysis is based on FY2020 IPEDS data downloaded
on 10/18/2021. Under-represented minority includes students who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African
American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, or two or more races. |
2 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
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DATE AND TIME |
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PLACE |
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RECORD DATE |
November 9, 2022
8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time
Online check-in will be available beginning at 7:45 a.m. Eastern
Standard Time. Please allow ample time for the online check-in process. |
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The Annual Meeting will be held entirely online at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2022. |
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September 23, 2022 |
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ITEMS OF BUSINESS |
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Board Voting
Recommendation |
Proposal No. 1: Elect the directors named in
the attached Proxy Statement to serve until the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders |
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FOR each director nominee |
Proposal No. 2: Ratify selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP as independent registered public accounting firm |
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FOR |
Proposal No. 3: Say-on-pay: Advisory vote to
approve the compensation of our named executive officers |
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FOR |
Shareholders will also consider such other business as may come properly
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
To participate in the 2022 Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit
control number included on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.
This notice and Proxy Statement, voting instructions, and Adtalem Global
Education Inc.’s 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders are being mailed to shareholders beginning on or about October 14, 2022.
Douglas G. Beck
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
REVIEW YOUR PROXY STATEMENT AND VOTE IN ONE
OF FOUR WAYS:
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VIA THE INTERNET |
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BY TELEPHONE |
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BY MAIL |
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VIRTUALLY |
Visit the web site listed on your proxy card |
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Call the telephone number on your proxy card |
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Sign, date, and return your proxy card in the enclosed envelope |
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Attend the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/
ATGE2022. |
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on November 9, 2022. Our Proxy Statement and the Adtalem Global Education Inc. Annual Report
for 2022 are available online at www.proxyvote.com or at our investor relations website, http://investors.adtalem.com. |
2022 Proxy Statement 3
Table of Contents
Proxy
Summary
This summary highlights
selected information about the items to be voted on at the annual meeting. It does not contain all of the information that you
should consider in deciding how to vote. You should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.
OUR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Director Nominees
Diverse mix of backgrounds, current and former CEOs, marketing
and medical professionals, and a former finance executive at a leading global company.
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Director Since |
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Other Public Company Boards |
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Committee Memberships |
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Name and Principal Occupation |
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Age |
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ACA |
AUD |
COM |
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Stephen
W. Beard
President and CEO
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
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2021 |
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William
W.
Burke
LEAD
INDEPENDENT
DIRECTOR
President and Founder,
Austin Highlands Advisors, LLC
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63 |
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2017 |
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2 |
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Charles
DeShazer
INDEPENDENT
Director, Clinicals Products
Google Health
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63 |
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2021 |
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Mayur
Gupta
INDEPENDENT
Chief Marketing Officer
Kraken, Inc.
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45 |
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2021 |
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Donna
J.
Hrinak
INDEPENDENT
Senior Vice President,
Corporate Affairs,
Royal Caribbean Group
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2018 |
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Georgette
Kiser
INDEPENDENT
Former Operating Executive,
The Carlyle Group
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2018 |
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3 |
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Liam
Krehbiel1
INDEPENDENT
Chief Executive Officer and Founder,
Topography Hospitality, LLC
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46 |
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2022 |
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Michael
W.
Malafronte
INDEPENDENT
Senior Advisor,
Derby Copeland Capital
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2016 |
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Sharon
L.
O’Keefe
INDEPENDENT
Retired President,
University of Chicago Medical Center
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70 |
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2020 |
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2 |
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Kenneth
J.
Phelan
INDEPENDENT
Senior Advisor
Oliver Wyman Inc.
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2020 |
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1 |
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Lisa
W. Wardell
Chairman of the Board
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
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2008 |
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2 |
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Academic Quality
Committee |
Audit and Finance
Committee |
Compensation
Committee |
External Relations
Committee |
Nominating &
Governance Committee |
Audit Committee
Financial Expert |
Committee
Chair |
1 |
It is anticipated that Mr. Krehbiel will join the Audit and Finance and External Relations committees
effective November 9, 2022. |
4 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proxy Summary
Board Highlights
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE |
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2022 Proxy Statement 5
Table of Contents
Proxy Summary
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Shareholder Engagement
We conduct regular outreach and engagement with our shareholders
and value their insight and feedback.
OUR OUTREACH
We reached out to our shareholders representing approximately
91% of shares owned.
Ongoing Enhancements
Our Board continually monitors best practices in corporate
governance and, consistent with feedback from shareholders and other stakeholders, has taken the following actions in recent years:
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2022 |
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● Amended
our Director Nominating Process to consider expertise on climate change, climate-related risks, and cybersecurity
● Amended
the charters of our Audit and Finance, Compensation, and External Relations Committees to provide additional responsibility
and oversight of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters
● Continued
to refresh our Board by adding a new director who is committed to improving equity in education for underserved communities
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2021 |
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● Refreshed our Board by adding three new
directors including our new CEO and directors with significant expertise in healthcare and digital marketing |
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2020 |
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● Refreshed
our Board by adding two new directors with significant expertise in healthcare and financial services
● Amended
the charter of our External Relations Committee to clarify its responsibilities for oversight of our sustainability strategy,
including environmental and social policies
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2019 |
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● Appointed
a Lead Independent Director when our CEO was appointed as our Chairman of the Board
● Enhanced
our proxy statement to focus on disclosures in key areas of investor interest
● Increased
stock ownership requirements for our executive officers
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2018 |
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● Broadened our shareholder outreach program
and increased Board involvement |
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2017 |
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● Adopted
proxy access (3%, 3 years, group up to 20 shareholders, greater of 2 directors or 20%)
● Amended
By-Laws to provide for majority voting with plurality carve out for contested elections
● Approved
Director resignation requirement upon change of principal job responsibilities
● Added
a Lead Independent Director requirement when our Chairman of the Board is not independent
● Adopted
outside Board service limits
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6 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proxy Summary
Ongoing Best Practices
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BOARD
COMMITTEES |
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We have
five Board committees – Academic Quality, Audit and Finance, Compensation, External Relations, and Nominating &
Governance, each of which typically meets at least four times per year
The Chair
of each committee, in consultation with the committee members, determines the frequency and length of committee meetings
Our Board
and each of its committees are authorized to retain independent advisors at Adtalem’s expense
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DIRECTOR
STOCK OWNERSHIP |
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60% of
our non-employee directors’ annual compensation (excluding fees for other additional roles) is in the form of restricted
stock units (“RSUs”)
Our non-employee
directors (other than those who are affiliated with our shareholders) are subject to a policy requiring their ownership
of shares with a value equal to or in excess of three times their annual retainer
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CONTINUOUS
IMPROVEMENT |
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New directors
receive a tailored, two-day, live training program about Adtalem and its institutions from management
Our directors
are encouraged to participate in director-oriented training programs
The Board
annually undergoes a self-assessment process to critically evaluate its performance at a committee and Board level
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COMMUNICATION |
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Our Board
engages in open and frank discussions with senior management
Our directors
have access to all members of management
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2022 Proxy Statement 7
Table of Contents
Proxy Summary
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS
● | Strong
linkage of pay to individual, institutional, and financial performance |
● | Balanced
compensation program aligning performance to interests of shareholders, students, and
other stakeholders |
Our Compensation Framework
2022 COMPENSATION
SNAPSHOT
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Objective |
Time
Horizon |
Performance
Measures |
Additional Explanation |
Salary
(cash) |
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Base Salary |
Reflect experience, market competition and scope of responsibilities |
Reviewed Annually |
● Assessment of performance in prior year. |
● Represents 12% and 35% of Total Direct Compensation for Mr. Beard and
other NEOs (on average), respectively. |
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Annual Incentive
(cash) |
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MIP |
Reward
achievement of short-term operational business priorities |
1 year |
● Adjusted
Revenue*
● Adjusted
Earnings Per Share*
● Individual Goals |
● Represents 14% and 25% of Total Direct Compensation for Mr. Beard and
other NEOs (on average), respectively. |
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Long Term
Incentive
(equity) |
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Stock Options |
Reward stock price growth and retain key talent |
4 year
ratable |
● Stock price growth |
● Represents 30% of NEO LTI granted in FY22.** |
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RSUs |
Align interests of management and shareholders, and retain key talent |
● Represents 20% of NEO LTI granted in FY22.** |
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ROIC PSUs |
Reward achievement of multi-year financial goals, align interests of management
and shareholders, and retain key talent
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3 year cliff |
● ROIC |
● Represents 50% of NEO LTI granted in FY22.** |
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FCF PSUs
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● FCF per share |
* |
A portion of the Management Incentive Plan (“MIP”) payout for executive leadership of business
segments and business units is also based on the adjusted revenue and adjusted operating income at such executive’s
business segment or business unit. |
** |
The long-term equity award for Mr. Beard in fiscal year 2022 included stock options which represented 14% of his grant,
RSUs which represented 55% of his grant and PSUs which represented 31% of his grant. The fiscal year 2022 equity mix for Mr.
Beard resulted from negotiations of his compensation package with Adtalem in connection with his appointment as President
and Chief Executive Officer. |
8 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proxy Summary
SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Adtalem is committed to a holistic approach to our communities,
providing quality learning and working opportunities, caring for the places where we operate, and conducting our business in a
transparent and responsible manner. We advanced our ESG strategy during fiscal year 2022 and remained steadfastly focused on our
overarching philosophy of stewardship.
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ADTALEM
GLOBAL EDUCATION SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENT |
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Adtalem Global Education operates in a sustainable, ethical and responsible manner as we increase access and equity in education and workforce training. Our solutions empower our students to help address workforce needs in the healthcare industry. Adtalem is committed to protecting the environment, increasing climate awareness and resilience, continuously enhancing our diverse and inclusive culture, and investing in the well-being of the communities where we teach, learn and work. |
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Environmental
Stewardship
In fiscal year 2020 we launched multi-year environmental
goals through 2024 that encompass our strategic approach to reducing our carbon footprint, embracing renewable energy
and enhancing waste management practices. Through these goals, Adtalem is addressing environmental issues that help safeguard
the environment and our communities.
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Social
Practices
Our TEACH values—Teamwork, Energy, Accountability,
Community, and Heart—shape how we work together to fulfill our promise to students, members, and each other. Adtalem
has created diversity and inclusion councils and task forces at its institutions. These taskforces are addressing racism
as a public health crisis. We are committed to continuously reviewing the components of our educational programs, systems
and processes to ensure we are addressing systemic bias within our institutions, as well as partnering with organizations
that share our values to collectively address these challenges and have an intentional impact on the broader healthcare
industry.
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Governance
Practices
Since 2016, under the leadership of Ms. Wardell, our
Chairman and former CEO, we have notably increased female and multicultural representation on our Board. We continue to
engage in active Board refreshment and added one new director in 2022, who through his work as a venture philanthropist
has improved educational opportunities for low-income students.
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Community
Engagement and Philanthropy
We support charitable and civic organizations across
the globe that share our values by way of the Adtalem Global Education Foundation and corporate philanthropy. Through
corporate giving efforts, Adtalem provided $376,457 to global community and civic partners in fiscal year 2022. Independent
from the corporate giving efforts, the Adtalem Global Education Foundation awarded grants totaling $1,081,680 to support
charitable, educational and research purposes.
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Expanding
Educational Access
We have created sustainable strategies to engage and
support students from historically underrepresented groups and our intentional approach continues to yield industry-leading
results. In 2022, 83% of the total student population in our five degree-conferring institutions identified as female
and 50% as ethnically diverse. Combined, Adtalem’s medical institutions graduate more than 100 Black/African American
medical students annually, more than any U.S. medical school.
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Empower
Scholarship Fund
The Empower Scholarship Fund is another avenue through
which we champion social responsibility efforts. Since 2016, the Empower Scholarship Fund has awarded 2,464 scholarships
totaling more than $4.6 million to support students. In fiscal year 2022, total Empower scholarship funds awarded were
$453,500.
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2022 Proxy Statement 9
Table of Contents
Proxy Summary
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Adtalem, we are committed to driving diversity at the top
and creating an inclusive culture throughout the organization. To us, diversity and inclusion needs to be intentional to be impactful.
We don’t just welcome differences, we celebrate them. In fact, we believe bringing together diverse teams and innovative
ideas is the best way to serve our diverse students and we work collaboratively, committed to the idea that inclusion leads to
innovation and high performance. The Adtalem senior leadership team is over 44% diverse when considering gender and ethnicity.
BOARD DATA
The composition of our Board reflects our commitment to diversity.
EMPLOYEE
DATA |
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STUDENT DATA |
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Our global employee base is predominantly female and includes a strong
minority representation. |
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The student population at our institutions is similarly diverse in gender and ethnicity. |
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Please note: Board data is as of October 1, 2022; leadership
and employee data is as of October 1, 2022 and represents those who chose to report. Student data is for fiscal year 2022 enrollment
at Adtalem’s institutions.
10 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
2022 Proxy Statement 11
Table of Contents
PROPOSAL NO. 1
Election of Directors
The Board has nominated eleven of Adtalem’s twelve sitting directors
and recommends their re-election, each for a term to expire at the 2023 Annual Meeting. All of the nominees have consented to
serve as directors if elected at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Lyle Logan has informed the Board that he is not standing for re-election
and will retire from the Board at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Logan has served on the Adtalem Board since 2007 and the Board is extremely
grateful for Mr. Logan’s service and commitment to Adtalem over the past fifteen years. Mr. Logan’s decision to not
stand for re-election is not the result of any disagreement with the Company.
It is intended that all shares represented by a proxy in the accompanying
form will be voted for the election of each of Stephen W. Beard, William W. Burke, Charles DeShazer, Mayur Gupta, Donna J. Hrinak,
Georgette Kiser, Liam Krehbiel, Michael W. Malafronte, Sharon L. O’Keefe, Kenneth J. Phelan, and Lisa W. Wardell as directors
unless otherwise specified in such proxy. A proxy cannot be voted for more than eleven persons. In the event that a nominee becomes
unable to serve as a director, the proxy committee (appointed by the Board) will vote for the substitute nominee that the Board
designates. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will become unavailable for election.
Each nominee for election as a director is listed below, along with
a brief statement of his or her current principal occupation, business experience and other information, including directorships
in other public companies held as of the date of this Proxy Statement or within the previous five years. Under the heading “Relevant
Experience,” we describe briefly the particular experience, qualifications, attributes, or skills that led to the conclusion
that these nominees should serve on the Board. As explained below under the caption “Director Nominating Process,”
the Nominating & Governance Committee looks at the Board as a whole, attempting to ensure that it possesses the characteristics
that the Board believes are important to effective governance.
Approval by Shareholders
The election of each of the eleven nominees for director listed below
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock of Adtalem represented at the Annual Meeting. Adtalem
maintains a majority voting standard for uncontested elections (where the number of nominees is the same as the number of directors
to be elected), so for a nominee to be elected as a member of the Board, the nominee must receive the affirmative vote of a majority
of the shares of Common Stock of Adtalem represented at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may not cumulate their votes in the election
of directors. If a nominee for re-election fails to receive the requisite majority vote where the election is uncontested, such
director must promptly tender his or her resignation to Adtalem’s Chairman or Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary, subject to acceptance by the Board.
Unless otherwise indicated on the proxy, the shares will be voted FOR
each of the nominees identified below.
| The
Board
of
Directors
recommends
a
vote
FOR
each
of
the
nominees
identified
below. |
12 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of
Directors
BOARD COMPOSITION
Director Nominees
Career Highlights |
Stephen W. Beard,
Chief Executive
Officer
President and CEO, Adtalem Global Education
Age: 51
Director since: 2021
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Mr. Beard was appointed Adtalem’s President and CEO and a director
on our Board in September 2021. Previously, Mr. Beard served as Adtalem’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), responsible for
the vision, leadership, and financial performance of Adtalem’s Financial Services vertical. In addition, Mr. Beard led the
company’s strategy, corporate development, government and regulatory affairs, investor relations, communications and civic
engagement activities and mobilized a variety of operational and corporate initiatives to accelerate Adtalem’s global performance.
Prior to taking on the responsibility of COO in 2019 and responsibility
for the Financial Services vertical in 2020, Mr. Beard served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
in 2018.
Prior to Adtalem, Mr. Beard was executive vice president, chief administrative
officer and general counsel of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSII), where he directed global legal operations
for the company and oversaw a variety of enterprise-level functions including strategy and corporate development.
Prior to joining Heidrick & Struggles, Mr. Beard was in private
practice with Schiff Hardin, LLP in Chicago, where he was a member of the firm’s corporate and securities group, advising
public and private companies in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and corporate governance matters.
Mr. Beard began his legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Frank
Sullivan, Jr. (ret.), associate justice of the Indiana Supreme Court.
Mr. Beard has been active in a variety of community and civic matters
and currently serves on the board of the venture philanthropy fund, A Better Chicago.
Mr. Beard received his bachelor’s degree from the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his juris doctor degree from the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University.
Relevant Experience
Mr. Beard’s experience as our CEO and his prior service as Adtalem’s
COO and General Counsel give him deep knowledge of Adtalem’s operations and strategy. Mr. Beard’s experience in refining
Adtalem’s portfolio strategy, executing the DeVry University, Carrington College and Adtalem Brazil divestitures, and spearheading
the acquisition of Walden University-coupled with his success in leading the Financial Services segment prior to its divestiture-have
played an integral role in positioning Adtalem for long-term growth.
2022 Proxy Statement 13
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Career Highlights |
William W. Burke,
Lead Independent
Director
President and Founder, Austin Highlands Advisors,
LLC
Age: 63
Director since: 2017
Committees:
Audit and Finance (Chair)
Compensation
|
Mr. Burke has been a director of Adtalem since January 2017. He has
served as our Lead Independent Director since July 2019. Since November 2015, Mr. Burke has served as President of Austin Highlands
Advisors, LLC, a provider of corporate advisory services. He served as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
of IDEV Technologies, a peripheral vascular devices company, from November 2009 until the company was acquired by Abbott Laboratories
in August 2013. From August 2004 to December 2007, he served as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of ReAble
Therapeutics, a diversified orthopedic device company which was sold to The Blackstone Group in a going private transaction in
2006 and subsequently merged with DJO Incorporated in November 2007. Mr. Burke remained with ReAble Therapeutics until June 2008.
From 2001 to 2004, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Cholestech Corporation, a medical diagnostic products company.
Mr. Burke received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from The University
of Texas at Austin and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Board Service
Mr. Burke has served on numerous public and private company boards including
serving as a board chairman and a lead independent director. Since June 2022, he has served on the board of directors of Ceribell
Inc., a privately-held medical technology company. He has served on the board of Tactile Systems Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: TCMD)
since 2015 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Since 2021, he has served on the board of directors and as chair of
the audit committee of EQ Health Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:EQHA). He previously served on the board of Invuity, Inc. (acquired by
Stryker Corp. in 2018), LDR Holding Corporation (acquired by Zimmer Biomet in July 2016), and Medical Action Industries (acquired
by Owens & Minor in October 2014).
Relevant Experience
Mr. Burke’s experience as a senior executive and board member
of multiple public companies, and his extensive understanding of financing, acquisition and operating strategy, enhances the Board’s
capabilities from both a strategic and governance perspective.
14 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of
Directors
Career Highlights |
Dr. Charles DeShazer,
Independent
Director, Clinical Products, Google Health
Age: 63
Director since: 2021
Committees:
Academic Quality
External Relations
|
Dr. DeShazer is the Director, Clinical Products for Google Health where
he helps lead the design and implementation of an intelligent suite of tools that help healthcare providers deliver better patient
care. He previously was the Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Highmark, Inc., one of the largest insurance organizations
in the U.S. from 2017 to 2021. In this role he oversaw the company’s clinical strategy, overall medical leadership and provided
oversight of Highmark Inc.’s strategic direction and processes related to healthcare quality, efficiency and cost improvement.
Additionally, as the Chief Medical Officer for the primary division of Highmark Health, Dr. DeShazer also interacted regularly
with the smaller health division, Allegheny Health Network, as well as Penn State Health, a large academic health system governed
jointly by Penn State University and Highmark Health through a significant minority ownership investment. Prior to joining Highmark,
Dr. DeShazer served as the Chief Quality Officer for BayCare Health System from 2012 to 2016. From 2010 to 2012 he served as Vice
President, Medical Information, Quality and Transformation for Dean Health System.
Relevant Experience
Dr. DeShazer’s leadership experience across the healthcare services
ecosystem, coupled with his background as a board-certified M.D. in internal medicine, assists Adtalem and its Board in executing
on the strategy of becoming a leading healthcare educator and workforce solutions innovator to the rapidly evolving healthcare
industry.
2022 Proxy Statement 15
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Career Highlights |
Mayur Gupta,
Independent
Chief Marketing Officer, Kraken, Inc.
Age: 45
Director since: 2021
Committees:
Academic Quality
External Relations
|
Since April 2022, Mr. Gupta has been the Chief Marketing Officer for
Kraken, Inc., a U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange and bank. Previously, he was the Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer for
Gannett Co., Inc., a subscription-led and digitally focused media and marketing solutions company (“Gannett”). Mr.
Gupta was responsible for leading the transformation and growth of Gannett from the largest news media company to a content subscription
platform. Mr. Gupta joined Gannett in September 2020. Mr. Gupta served on the board of Gannett from October 2019 until September
2020 when he stepped down from the board to become the Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer.
Prior to joining Gannett, Mr. Gupta served as the Chief Marketing Officer
for Freshly, a growing food-technology company, from January 2019 until September 2020, where he oversaw all consumer-faced marketing,
including driving growth, building the brand, and enhancing the company’s consumer insights. Before joining Freshly, Mr.
Gupta led digital initiatives at several companies, including from October 2016 to January 2019 as Vice President, Growth and
Marketing at Spotify, the media services provider, and from August 2015 to September 2016 as Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing
Officer and earlier as Senior Vice President, Omni-Channel Consumer Marketing and Head of Digital Platforms at Healthgrades, a
healthcare scheduling company. From August 2012 to July 2015, Mr. Gupta was the first Chief Marketing Technologist at Kimberly-Clark,
one of the largest consumer goods companies. For the preceding 12-years, from 2001 to 2012, he was a Technology Leader at SapientNitro
(now part of Publicis).
Mr. Gupta was named to Forbes World’s Most Influential Chief Marketing
Officers list for 2021.
Relevant Experience
Mr. Gupta’s expertise across the digital marketing space, in combination
with his background in technology, will help the Board drive the Company’s next phase of growth and impact. Mr. Gupta’s
ability to implement data-driven strategies to drive business growth and increase shareholder value will assist the Company in
developing its own growth plans.
16 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of
Directors
Career Highlights |
Donna J. Hrinak,
Independent
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Royal
Caribbean Group
Age: 71
Director since: 2018
Committees:
Nominating & Governance (Chair)
Audit and Finance
|
Ms. Hrinak has been a director of Adtalem since October 2018. Ms. Hrinak
has served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Royal Caribbean Group since August 2020. Previously she served as President
of Boeing Latin America (2011-2020) where she opened Boeing’s first three offices in the region and oversaw all aspects
of operations, from commercial and defense product sales to research and technology. She came to Boeing from her role as Vice
President Global Public Policy and Governmental Affairs/Vice President for Public Policy at PepsiCo (2008-2011) and also held
a role at Kraft Foods (2006-2008), where she managed the Latin American and European Corporate Affairs teams. Prior to that, she
served as a Senior Counselor for Trade and Competition at the law firm of Steel Hector & Davis and held a role with the strategic
advisory firm of Kissinger McLarty Associates.
Before entering the private sector, Ms. Hrinak was a career officer
in the U.S. Foreign Service, and served as U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic, as well
as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Social Science
from Michigan State University and also attended The George Washington University and the University of Notre Dame School of Law.
Relevant Experience
Ms. Hrinak’s extensive experience at a senior level in both the
public and private sectors overseeing complex multi-cultural organizations brings insight to the Board directly applicable to
the organization’s international scope.
2022 Proxy Statement 17
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Career Highlights |
Georgette Kiser,
Independent
Former Operating Executive, The Carlyle Group
Age: 54
Director since: 2018
Committees:
External Relations (Chair)
Nominating & Governance
|
Ms. Kiser has been a director of Adtalem since May 2018. Ms. Kiser is
an operating executive/independent advisor who helps lead due diligence and technical strategies across various private equity
and venture capital firms. Previously, she was managing director and chief information officer (CIO) at The Carlyle Group, responsible
for leading the firm’s global technology and solutions organization and driving IT strategies. Prior to her role at The
Carlyle Group, she was in various executive roles at T. Rowe Price from 1996 to 2015, including Vice President and Head of Enterprise
Solutions and Capabilities. She was a consultant and Software Engineer at Martin Marietta Management Data Systems from 1993 to
1995, and a Software Design Engineer in the Aerospace Division of the General Electric Company from 1989 to 1993.
Ms. Kiser received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a concentration
in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, a M.S. in Mathematics from Villanova University, and an MBA from the University
of Baltimore.
Board Service
Since 2019, Ms. Kiser has served on the boards of Aflac (NYSE: AFL),
a leading supplemental insurer, Jacobs (NYSE: JEC), a leading, global professional services company, and NCR Corporation (NYSE:
NCR), an American software, professional services, consulting and tech company. She serves on the audit and risk and compensation
committees for Aflac, the compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee for Jacobs, and on the governance
committee and chair of the risk committee at NCR.
Relevant Experience
Ms. Kiser’s experience in information technology at the senior
leadership level in organizations with an international reach brings expertise to Adtalem which will enhance both the Board’s
oversight of its business as well as Adtalem’s internal technology matters.
18 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Career Highlights |
Liam Krehbiel,
Independent
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Topography
Hospitality, LLC
Age: 46
Director since: 2022
Committees:
Audit and Finance (expected November 2022)
External Relations (expected November 2022)
|
Mr. Krehbiel has been a director of Adtalem since June 2022. In 2021,
Mr. Krehbiel founded Topography Hospitality, LLC, and has served as its Chief Executive Officer since then. He is also the Co-managing
partner of Ballyfin Demesne, a luxury hotel in Ireland, which opened in 2011. In 2010, Mr. Krehbiel founded A Better Chicago,
a not-for-profit corporation and venture philanthropy fund, and currently serves as Chair of its Board. A Better Chicago’s
mission is to build a more equitable city for Chicago’s young people and future generations. Mr. Krehbiel served as the
Chief Executive Officer of A Better Chicago from 2010 until May 2019. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Krehbiel was a management consultant
at Bain and Company. Prior to joining Bain, Mr. Krehbiel worked with the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation in New York.
Mr. Krehbiel received a Master of Business Administration degree with
a major in business administration and a double concentration in finance and marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg
School of Management. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College.
Board Service
In addition to serving as the Chair of A Better Chicago, Mr. Krehbiel
is a director of the Civic Consulting Alliance and a trustee of The Civic Federation.
Relevant Experience
Mr. Krehbiel’s commitment to improving equity in education for
underserved communities closely aligns with Adtalem’s mission of expanding access to education and improving health equity.
Mr. Krehbiel has spent most of his career as a venture philanthropist dramatically improving educational opportunities for low-income
students by funding and scaling the most effective schools and programs in the Chicago area. This experience adds depth and insight
as Adtalem continues to focus on serving its students and employers in the growing healthcare education industry.
2022 Proxy Statement 19
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Career Highlights |
Michael W. Malafronte,
Independent
Senior Advisor, Derby Copeland Capital
Former Managing Partner, International Value
Advisers and President of IVA Funds
Age: 48
Director since: 2016
Committees:
Compensation (Chair)
Audit and Finance
|
Mr. Malafronte has been a director of Adtalem since June 2016. Mr. Malafronte
has served as a Senior Advisor to Derby Copeland Capital since September 2022. Derby Copeland is a private equity firm that specializes
in opportunistic real estate related debt financing and equity investment. Mr. Malafronte is a Founding Partner of International
Value Advisers, LLC (“IVA”) and served as Managing Partner for 13 years until December 2020. He was responsible for
overseeing all aspects of IVA, including company strategy and managing resources. He also served as President of IVA Funds. Prior
to founding IVA in 2007, Mr. Malafronte was a Senior Vice President at Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder Advisers, LLC where he worked
for two years as a senior analyst for the First Eagle Funds, owned by Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder Advisers, LLC. There he worked
under Charles de Vaulx and Jean-Marie Eveillard within the Global Value Group for the value funds, including the First Eagle Overseas,
Global, U.S. Value Funds as well as the offshore funds, inclusive of the Sofire Fund Ltd. Similarly, he was responsible for covering
the oil and gas, media, real estate, financial services, and retail industries on a global basis, as well as companies within
the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. Moreover, Mr. Malafronte was responsible for covering the larger names within the portfolio
such as Pargesa Holdings, ConocoPhillips, Petroleo Brasileiro, SK Corp., News Corp., Dow Jones, and Comcast.
Prior to the First Eagle Funds, Mr. Malafronte worked for nine years
as a Portfolio Manager at Oppenheimer & Close, a dually-registered broker dealer and investment adviser; an adviser on three
domestic hedge funds, one offshore partnership and a registered investment adviser and broker dealer. While at Oppenheimer &
Close, Mr. Malafronte assisted in the launch of a domestic hedge fund in 1996 and an offshore partnership in 1998. Mr. Malafronte
was responsible for all facets of portfolio management for the investment partnerships, including idea generation, in-depth research,
and stock selection. In addition, he was also responsible for hiring and training both operations staff and research analysts.
Mr. Malafronte earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Babson
College.
Board Service
Mr. Malafronte has previously served on the boards of two publicly traded
companies: Bresler & Reiner Inc. (2002-2008) and Century Realty Trust (2005-2006).
Relevant Experience
Mr. Malafronte’s experience as a financial analyst covering institutions
globally, and as a founder of a global investment firm, provides the Board with a firm understanding of Adtalem’s shareholders’
perspective and deeply informs Adtalem’s financial planning.
20 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of
Directors
Career Highlights |
Sharon L. O’Keefe,
Independent
Retired President, University of Chicago Medical
Center
Age: 70
Director since: 2020
Committees:
Academic Quality
Nominating & Governance
|
Ms. O’Keefe served as the President of the University of Chicago
Medical Center from February 2011 through July 2020. From April 2009 through February 2011, Ms. O’Keefe served as President
of Loyola University Medical Center. Prior to her role at Loyola, she served from July 2002 to April 2009 as Chief Operating Officer
for Barnes Jewish Hospital, a member of BJC Healthcare, St. Louis. In addition, Ms. O’Keefe has served in a variety of senior
management roles at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, University of Maryland Medical System, and Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. She has also served as a healthcare consultant
with Ernst & Young. In addition, Ms. O’Keefe has served on the National Institutes of Health Advisory Board for Clinical
Research, the Finance Committee of the National Institutes of Health Advisory Board, the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Hospital
Association, and an Examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
Ms. O’Keefe holds a M.S. degree in Nursing from Loyola University
of Chicago and a B.S. degree in Nursing from Northern Illinois University.
Board Service
Since March 2022, Ms. O’Keefe has served on the board of directors
of Conva Tec Group PLC, a global medical products and technologies company focused on therapies for the management of chronic
conditions. Since July 2022, she has also served on the board of directors of Apollo Endosurgery, a medical technology company
focused on development of minimally invasive devices for advanced endoscopy therapies. From 2012 until February 2022, Ms. O’Keefe
served on the board of directors of Vocera Communications Inc., a provider of communication and clinical workforce solutions,
where she was a member of the compensation committee. Ms. O’Keefe previously served on the board of Aviv Reit Inc. from
2013 to 2015.
Relevant Experience
Ms. O’Keefe’s prior leadership roles at numerous medical
centers including the University of Chicago Medical Center and Loyola University of Chicago Medical Center provide the Board with
insights into how Adtalem can best serve the needs of our employer partners and drive superior student outcomes for our healthcare
and medical students and graduates.
2022 Proxy Statement 21
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Career Highlights |
Kenneth
J. Phelan,
Independent
Senior
Advisor, Oliver Wyman Inc.
Age: 63
Director since: 2020
Committees:
Compensation
External Relations
|
Mr. Phelan has been a Senior Advisor at Oliver Wyman Inc., a global
management consulting firm, since 2019. Prior to that he served as the first Chief Risk Officer for the U.S. Department of the
Treasury (“Treasury”) from 2014 to 2019. As Chief Risk Officer of the Treasury, he was responsible for establishing
and building the Treasury’s Office of Risk Management to provide senior Treasury and other administration officials with
analysis of key risks including credit, market, liquidity, operational, governance, and reputational risk. From 2018 to 2019,
Mr. Phelan also served as Acting Director for the Office of Financial Research, an independent bureau within the Treasury charged
with supporting the Financial Stability Oversight Council and conducting research about systemic risk. Prior to joining the Treasury,
Mr. Phelan served as the chief risk officer for RBS America from 2011 to 2014, as chief risk officer for Fannie Mae from 2009
to 2011, and as chief risk officer for Wachovia Corporation from 2008 to 2009. Earlier in his career, Mr. Phelan held a variety
of senior risk roles at JPMorgan Chase, UBS, and Credit Suisse.
Mr. Phelan holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration
and Finance from Old Dominion University, a M.S. in Economics from Trinity College, and a J.D. from Villanova University.
Board Service
Since 2019 Mr. Phelan has served as a director of Huntington Bancshares,
Inc. (NASDAQ. HBAN), a regional bank holding company whose primary subsidiary is The Huntington National Bank. Mr. Phelan is the
Chair of Huntington’s risk committee and serves on its human resources and compensation committee.
Relevant Experience
Mr. Phelan possesses broad risk oversight expertise and risk management
experience. His knowledge and experience strengthens the Board’s governance and risk oversight.
22 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Career Highlights |
Lisa
W. Wardell,
Chairman
Chairman
of the Board, Adtalem Global Education
Age: 53
Director since: 2008
|
Ms. Wardell has been a director of Adtalem since November 2008. She
is a business executive with more than 25 years of experience managing business strategy, operations, finance, and mergers and
acquisitions, while driving shareholder value, stakeholder engagement and company mission. After a successful five-year run as
Adtalem’s president and CEO (2016-2019) and then CEO and Chairman (2019-2021) and Executive Chairman (2021-2022), Ms. Wardell
currently serves as the Chairman. During her tenure as CEO, Ms. Wardell oversaw the strategic repositioning of Adtalem’s
portfolio, successfully acquiring and integrating companies in Adtalem’s financial services vertical, and leading turnarounds
and divestitures of Adtalem’s non-core assets. Through her commitment to high performance and positive social impact, Ms.
Wardell’s leadership has resulted in superior outcomes for Adtalem’s students and significant value creation for shareholders
and has positioned the company for long-term growth. Under her leadership, gender and ethnic diversity has increased at the Adtalem
Board to 67%. Ms. Wardell has also led the higher education sector in implementing new standards in transparency and financial
literacy, and in cultivating quality partnerships to fill critical global workforce needs.
Prior to Adtalem, Ms. Wardell was executive vice president and chief
operating officer for The RLJ Companies. During her tenure at RLJ, Ms. Wardell managed acquisitions and executed the formation
of RML Automotive, a dealership network spanning seven states with over $1 billion in annual revenues. She also worked extensively
in the media, entertainment, sports, gaming, and hotel industries which included assisting with the founding and managing of Our
Stories Films Studio and managing the now Charlotte Hornets (previously Charlotte Bobcats). Ms. Wardell also served on the board
of the NBAPA, Inc., the for-profit portion of the NBA Players Association from 2018 to 2021. Prior to joining The RLJ Companies,
Ms. Wardell was a principal at Katalyst Venture Partners, a private equity firm that invested in start-up technology companies,
and a senior consultant for Accenture in the organization’s communication and technology strategic services practice.
Ms. Wardell earned her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and
her law degree from Stanford Law School. She earned her MBA in finance and entrepreneurial management from the Wharton School
of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Ms. Wardell has been featured on CNBC and Cheddar as well as in The
Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Business Insider, Black Enterprise, and other publications.
Board Service
Ms. Wardell serves on the boards of American Express (NYSE:AXP) and
GIII Apparel Group, Ltd. (NasdaqGS:GIII). She serves as a vice chair on the executive committee of The Business Council, and as
a vice chair of the Kennedy Center Corporate Fund. A fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion and access to education at scale
across diverse communities, Ms. Wardell also is a member of the board of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Executive Leadership
Council, CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion and the Fortune CEO Initiative.
Relevant Experience
Ms. Wardell’s prior roles as CEO and Executive Chairman give her
deep and current knowledge of Adtalem’s academic and business operations and strategy and make her an essential member of
the Board. Additionally, her experience as a senior business executive in private equity, operations, and strategy and financial
analysis, including mergers and acquisitions, give her important perspectives on the issues that come before the Board, which
includes business, strategic, financial, and regulatory matters.
2022 Proxy Statement 23
Table of Contents
Proposal
No. 1 Election of Directors
DIRECTOR
NOMINATING PROCESS
The
Nominating & Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations of nominees for directors to the Board. The
Nominating & Governance Committee’s goal is to put before our shareholders candidates who, with the incumbent directors,
will constitute a board that has the characteristics necessary to provide effective oversight for the growing, complex, global
educational operations of Adtalem and reflect the broad spectrum of students and members that Adtalem serves. The Nominating &
Governance Committee seeks a diversity of thought, background, experience, and other characteristics in its candidates. To this
end, Adtalem’s Governance Principles provide that nominees are to be selected on the basis of, among other things, knowledge,
experience, skills, expertise, diversity, personal and professional integrity, business judgment, time availability in light of
other commitments, absence of conflicts of interest, and such other relevant factors that the Nominating & Governance
Committee considers appropriate in the context of the interests of Adtalem, its Board and its shareholders.
BOARD
SUCCESSION PLANNING
We
are committed to ensuring that our Board represents the right balance of experience, tenure, independence, age, and diversity.
Additionally, our Governance Principles provide that a director is required to retire from our Board when he or she reaches the
age of 75, although on the recommendation of the Nominating & Governance Committee, our Board may waive this requirement
if a waiver is in the best interests of Adtalem. Our Nominating & Governance Committee has led the gradual transformation
of our Board, with five of our ten independent directors joining the Board since 2020.
When
considering nominees, the Nominating & Governance Committee intends that the Board as a whole possesses, and individual
members possess at least two of, the following characteristics or expertise in the following areas:
● |
Leadership |
● |
Strategic vision |
● |
Business judgment |
● |
Management experience |
● |
Experience as a CEO or similar function |
● |
Experience as a CFO or accounting and finance
expertise |
● |
Industry knowledge |
● |
Healthcare, medical, and related education and
services |
● |
Education sector and accreditation |
● |
Cybersecurity |
● |
Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic
alliances |
● |
Public policy experience, particularly in higher
education |
● |
Regulatory experience |
● |
Human capital management and/or compensation
expertise |
● |
Global markets and international experience |
● |
Corporate governance |
● |
Climate change and climate risk experience |
BOARD
REFRESHMENT
6 New Directors |
|
2 Retirements |
|
ANNUAL
PROCESS FOR NOMINATION
1 |
Identify
Candidates |
|
● Directors
● Management
● Shareholders
● Independent Search Firm
|
2 |
Nominating & Governance
Committee Review |
|
● Review qualifications
● Consider diversity
● Examine Board composition and balance
● Review independence and potential
conflicts
● Meet with potential nominees
|
3 |
Recommend Slate |
|
|
4 |
Full Board Review and Nomination |
|
|
5 |
Shareholder Review and Election |
24 Adtalem
Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election
of Directors
The Nominating & Governance
Committee has implemented this policy by evaluating each prospective director nominee as well as each incumbent director on the
criteria described above, and in the context of the composition of the full Board, to determine whether he or she should be nominated
to stand for election or re-election. In screening director nominees, the Nominating & Governance Committee also reviews
potential conflicts of interest, including interlocking directorships and substantial business, civic, and social relationships
with other members of the Board that could impair the prospective nominee’s ability to act independently.
IDENTIFICATION AND CONSIDERATION
OF NEW NOMINEES
In identifying potential nominees
and determining which nominees to recommend to the Board, the Nominating & Governance Committee has retained the advisory
services of Russell Reynolds Associates, an international executive search firm. In connection with each vacancy, the Nominating &
Governance Committee develops a specific set of ideal characteristics for the vacant director position. The Nominating &
Governance Committee looks at director candidates that it has identified and any identified by shareholders on an equal basis
using these characteristics and the general considerations identified above.
SHAREHOLDER NOMINATIONS
The Nominating & Governance
Committee will not only consider nominees that it identifies, but will consider nominees submitted by shareholders in accordance
with the advance notice process for shareholder nominations identified in the By-Laws. Under this process, all shareholder nominees
must be submitted in writing to the attention of Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, 500 West Monroe Street,
Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60661, not less than 90 days prior to the anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders.
As a result, a shareholder nomination must be submitted by 5:00 pm Central Daylight Time on August 11, 2023. Such shareholder’s
notice shall be signed by the shareholder of record who intends to make the nomination (or his duly authorized proxy) and shall
also include, among other things, the following information:
● |
the name and address, as
they appear on Adtalem’s books, of such shareholder and the beneficial owner or owners, if any, on whose behalf the
nomination is made; |
● |
the number of shares of Adtalem’s Common
Stock which are beneficially owned by such shareholder or beneficial owner or owners; |
● |
a representation that such shareholder is a
holder of record entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to make the nomination; |
● |
the name and residence address of the person
or persons to be nominated; |
● |
a description of all arrangements or understandings
between such shareholder or beneficial owner or owners and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person
or persons) pursuant to which the nomination is to be made by such shareholder; |
● |
such other information regarding each nominee
proposed by such shareholder as would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for elections of directors,
or would otherwise be required to be disclosed, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including any information that would be required to be included in a
proxy statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A had the nominee been nominated by the Board; and |
● |
the written consent of each nominee to be named
in a proxy statement and to serve as a director if so elected. |
In addition to candidates submitted
through this advance notice By-Law process for shareholder nominations, shareholders may also request that a director nominee
be included in Adtalem’s proxy materials in accordance with the proxy access provision in the By-Laws. Any shareholder or
group of up to 20 shareholders holding both investment and voting rights to at least 3% of Adtalem’s outstanding Common
Stock continuously for at least three years may nominate the greater of (i) two or (ii) 20% of the Adtalem directors to be elected
at an annual meeting of shareholders. Such requests must be received not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the
anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. As a result, any notice given by or on behalf of
a shareholder pursuant to these provisions of the By-Laws (and not pursuant to Rule 14a-18 of the Exchange Act) must be received
no earlier than June 12, 2023 and no later than July 12, 2023. However, if we hold our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders more
than 30 days from the first anniversary of this year’s Annual Meeting, then in order for notice by the shareholder to be
timely, such notice must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of
the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
2022 Proxy
Statement 25
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election
of Directors
In addition to candidates submitted
through the By-Laws process for shareholder nominations, shareholders may also recommend candidates by following the procedures
set forth below under the caption “Communications with Directors.”
Director
Independence
The Board annually reviews
the continuing independence of Adtalem’s non-employee directors under applicable laws and rules of the New York Stock Exchange
(“NYSE”). The Board, excluding any director who is the subject of an evaluation, reviews and evaluates director transactions
or relationships with Adtalem, including the results of any investigation, and makes a determination with respect to whether a
conflict or violation exists or will exist or whether a director’s independence is or would be impaired.
The Board has considered whether
each director has any material relationship with Adtalem (either directly or as a partner, shareholder, or officer of an organization
that has a relationship with Adtalem) and has otherwise complied with the requirements for independence under the applicable listing
standards of the NYSE.
As a result of this review,
the Board affirmatively determined that, with the exception of Ms. Wardell and Mr. Beard, all of Adtalem’s current directors,
and all of Adtalem’s former directors who served as a director during fiscal year 2022, are “independent” of
Adtalem and its management within the meaning of the applicable NYSE rules. Mr. Beard is considered an inside director because
of his employment as President and CEO of Adtalem. Ms. Wardell is considered an inside director because of her previous employment
as President and CEO of Adtalem.
The Board also considered the
relationship between Adtalem and The Northern Trust Company, discussed below in Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.
Mr. Logan, one of our current directors, is Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Global Financial Institutions Group,
with Northern Trust Global Investments, a business unit of The Northern Trust Company. In fiscal year 2022, Adtalem incurred approximately
$212,000 in fees to The Northern Trust Company, which were partially offset against compensating balance credits earned on an
average monthly outstanding balance of approximately $43 million. The Board concluded that the relationship is not a material
one for purposes of the NYSE listing standards and would not influence Mr. Logan’s actions or decisions as a director of
Adtalem.
BOARD
STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS
Summary of
Board and Committee Structure
Adtalem’s Board held
eight meetings during fiscal year 2022, consisting of four regular meetings and four special meetings. Currently, the Board has
five standing committees: Academic Quality, Audit and Finance, Compensation, External Relations, and Nominating & Governance.
The following table identifies each standing committee, its members and chairs, its key responsibilities and the number of meetings
held during fiscal year 2022. Current copies of the charters of each of these committees, a current copy of Adtalem’s Governance
Principles, and a current copy of Adtalem’s Code of Conduct and Ethics can be found on Adtalem’s website, www.adtalem.com,
and are also available in print to any shareholder upon request from Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
500 West Monroe Street, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60661. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit and Finance,
Compensation, and Nominating & Governance committees is independent within the meaning of applicable laws and NYSE listing
standards in effect at the time of determination. The standing Audit and Finance Committee was established in accordance with
Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations of the SEC, and the listing standards of the NYSE.
26 Adtalem Global Education
Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal
No. 1 Election of Directors
Academic
Quality Committee
Members |
Meetings
in fiscal year 2022 |
|
|
Lyle Logan (Chair) |
4 |
Charles DeShazer |
|
Mayur Gupta |
|
Sharon L. O’Keefe |
|
Key Responsibilities
● |
Supports improvement in academic
quality and assures that the academic perspective is heard and represented at the highest policy-setting level and incorporated
in all of Adtalem’s activities and operations |
● |
Reviews the academic programs, policies, and
practices of Adtalem’s institutions |
● |
Evaluates the academic quality and assessment
process and evaluates curriculum and programs |
Audit
and Finance Committee
Members |
Meetings
in fiscal year 2022 |
Report |
|
|
|
William W. Burke (Chair) |
9 |
Page 40 |
Donna J. Hrinak |
|
|
Michael W. Malafronte |
|
|
Key Responsibilities
● |
Monitors Adtalem’s
financial reporting processes, including its internal control systems and the scope, approach, and results of audits |
● |
Selects and evaluates Adtalem’s independent
registered public accounting firm, subject to ratification by the shareholders |
● |
Reviews and recommends to the Board Adtalem’s
financing policies and actions related to investment, capital structure, and financing strategies |
● |
Provides oversight of Adtalem’s policies
and processes established by management to identify, assess, monitor, manage and control technology, cyber, information, ESG,
and other risks |
● |
Provides oversight of Adtalem’s frameworks
and standards for climate-related disclosures and reporting |
● |
Reviews and approves any potential related party
transactions |
The
Board has determined that Mr. Burke and Mr. Malafronte are qualified as audit committee financial experts.
2022 Proxy
Statement 27
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election
of Directors
Compensation
Committee
Members |
Meetings
in fiscal year 2022 |
Report |
|
|
|
Michael W. Malafronte (Chair) |
6 |
Page 63 |
William W. Burke |
|
|
Lyle Logan |
|
|
Kenneth J. Phelan |
|
|
Key Responsibilities
● |
Oversees all compensation
practices and reviews eligibility criteria and award guidelines for Adtalem’s compensation program |
● |
Reviews and approves, following discussions
with the other independent members of the Board, CEO annual goals and objectives |
● |
Evaluates the CEO’s performance against
established annual goals and objectives |
● |
Recommends CEO compensation to the other independent
members of the Board for approval |
● |
Reviews recommendations made by the CEO and
approves compensation for executive officers, including base salary, annual incentive, and equity compensation |
● |
Reviews and approves the total pay-out of short
and long term incentive pools, including annual grants of equity awards |
● |
Reviews and recommends to the Board compensation
paid to non-employee directors |
External
Relations Committee
Members |
Meetings
in fiscal year 2022 |
|
|
Georgette Kiser (Chair) |
4 |
Charles DeShazer |
|
Mayur Gupta |
|
Kenneth J. Phelan |
|
Key Responsibilities
● |
Provides awareness and oversight
of Adtalem’s external relations strategy, policy, and practice |
● |
Monitors, analyzes, and effectively manages
legislative and regulatory policy trends, issues, and risks |
● |
Develops recommendations to the Board regarding
formulating and adopting policies, programs, and communications strategy related to legislative, regulatory, and reputational
risk |
● |
Oversees risks and exposures related to higher
education public policy, as well as compliance with laws and regulations applicable to Adtalem |
● |
Provides oversight regarding significant public
policy issues including environmental, social, health and safety, and public and community affairs |
● |
Reviews Adtalem’s sustainability strategy,
including initiatives and policies relating to environmental stewardship, corporate social responsibility, and corporate culture |
28 Adtalem Global Education
Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal
No. 1 Election of Directors
Nominating &
Governance Committee
Members |
Meetings
in fiscal year 2022 |
|
|
Donna J. Hrinak (Chair) |
4 |
Georgette Kiser |
|
Lyle Logan |
|
Sharon O’Keefe |
|
Key Responsibilities
● |
Reviews Board and committee
structures and leads the Board self-evaluation process |
● |
Assesses Board needs and periodically conducts
director searches and recruiting to ensure appropriate Board composition |
● |
Recommends candidates for nomination as directors
to the Board |
● |
Oversees and conducts planning for CEO and director
succession and potential related risks |
● |
Recommends governance policies and procedures |
Board Leadership
Structure
Pursuant to our Governance
Principles, the Board believes that it should be free to make its selection of the Chairman of the Board and the CEO in the way
that it deems best for Adtalem and its shareholders at any given time. To ensure continued Board independence, the Board has adopted
a policy that, in the event the Chairman of the Board and CEO roles are combined, or the Chairman of the Board is not otherwise
independent, the Board shall appoint a Lead Independent Director. In July 2019, the Board elected Ms. Wardell, who had served
on our Board since November 2008 and as our President and CEO since May 2016, as Chairman of the Board. In accordance with our
Governance Principles, the Board concurrently appointed Mr. Burke to serve as our Lead Independent Director. In evaluating the
Board’s leadership structure, the Board considered the relevant merits of combining the roles of Chairman of the Board and
CEO and appointing a Lead Independent Director, compared with keeping the roles of Chairman of the Board and CEO separate. With
the appointment of Mr. Beard as our President and CEO in September 2021, the Board concluded that Ms. Wardell was the person best
suited to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board during fiscal year 2022, providing consistent leadership, alignment between
the Board and management, and a unified voice for Adtalem as it continued its transformation to a leading healthcare-focused educator.
In addition, the Board reaffirmed its commitment to independent board leadership by appointing Mr. Burke as our Lead Independent
Director.
The Board reviews its leadership
structure periodically and as circumstances warrant. As noted above, on September 8, 2021, Mr. Beard was appointed President and
CEO and Ms. Wardell was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board. The Board separated the roles of Chairman and CEO at this time
to allow our CEO to focus on strategic imperatives, including the integration of Walden University and continuing to drive our
business transformation efforts. Meanwhile, in her role as Executive Chairman, Ms. Wardell continued to focus on leading the Board,
the strategic review of Adtalem’s Financial Services business, and furthering Adtalem’s Global Legislative Agenda.
Mr. Burke continued to serve as our Lead Independent Director.
If Mr. Malafronte is reelected
by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting, the Board intends to appoint him as Chairman of the Board immediately after the Annual
Meeting on November 9, 2022. Mr. Malafronte has been an independent director since he joined the Board in 2016. The Board has
considered the merits of separating the roles of Chairman of the Board and the CEO and believes the separation is best for Adtalem
and its shareholders at this time. With the appointment of an independent Chairman, the Board will no longer have a Lead Independent
Director.
During fiscal year 2022, the
Board met in executive session without employee directors or other employees present at each regular Board meeting. Mr. Burke,
as Adtalem’s Lead Independent Director, presided over these sessions.
2022 Proxy Statement 29
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election
of Directors
In furtherance of our Board’s
role in overall strategy and succession planning, during 2022 our Lead Independent Director actively engaged with our Executive
Chairman and CEO on such matters. In addition, our Governance Principles provide that the Lead Independent Director:
● |
sets the agenda for, calls
meeting of and leads executive sessions of the independent directors and reports to the Executive Chairman of the Board, as
appropriate, concerning such meetings; |
● |
acts as a liaison between the Executive Chairman
of the Board and the independent directors; |
● |
advises the Executive Chairman of the Board
as to the quality, quantity, and timeliness of the flow of information from management that is necessary for the independent
directors to effectively and responsibly perform their duties; |
● |
when appropriate, makes recommendations to the
Executive Chairman of the Board about calling full meetings of the Board; |
● |
serves as a resource to consult with the Executive
Chairman of the Board and other Board members on corporate governance practices and policies and assumes the primary leadership
role in addressing issues of this nature if, under the circumstances, it is inappropriate for the Executive Chairman of the
Board to assume such leadership; and |
● |
performs such other duties as requested by the
Board or Nominating & Governance Committee and as set forth in the Governance Principles. |
|
OUR
LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR |
|
|
|
|
During his career, Mr. Burke has served in executive
leadership roles at several companies and, during his service on multiple public company boards, has served as a lead independent
director, board chairman, audit committee chairman and compensation committee chairman. If Mr. Burke is reelected by the shareholders
at the Annual Meeting, he will continue to serve as Chair of our Audit and Finance Committee and as a member of our Compensation
Committee. |
|
Committee
Chairs and Membership after the 2022 Annual Meeting
If all of the directors standing
for election at the 2022 Annual Meeting are elected by the shareholders, the Board anticipates reconstituting the membership and
Chairs of each of its five standing committees immediately after the Annual Meeting as follows:
Committee |
Proposed |
|
Committee |
Proposed |
Academic Quality Committee |
Georgette
Kiser (Chair) |
|
External Relations Committee |
Donna
Hrinak (Chair) |
|
Charles
DeShazer |
|
|
Mayur
Gupta |
|
Mayur
Gupta |
|
|
Liam
Krehbiel |
|
Lisa
Wardell |
|
|
Ken
Phelan |
|
|
|
|
Lisa
Wardell |
Audit
and Finance Committee |
William
Burke (Chair) |
|
Nominating & Governance Committee |
Sharon
O’Keefe (Chair) |
|
Donna
Hrinak |
|
Donna
Hrinak |
|
Liam
Krehbiel |
|
|
Georgette
Kiser |
Compensation
Committee |
Ken
Phelan (Chair) |
|
|
|
|
William
Burke |
|
|
|
|
Charles
DeShazer |
|
|
|
|
Sharon
O’Keefe |
|
|
|
30 Adtalem Global Education
Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election
of Directors
Director
Attendance
During fiscal year 2022, our
Board met eight times. Each of Adtalem’s directors attended at least 94% of the meetings of the Board and Board committees
on which they served that occurred during their respective time of service on the Board in fiscal year 2022.
All of our directors who were
directors at the time were in attendance at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, held virtually in November 2021. Our Board
encourages all of its members to attend the Annual Meeting but understands there may be situations that prevent such attendance.
Director
Continuing Education
Members of the Board are encouraged
to participate in continuing education and enrichment classes and seminars. Mr. Burke is National Association of Corporate Directors
(“NACD”) Directorship Certified. NACD Directorship Certified directors establish themselves as committed to continuing
education on emerging issues and helping to elevate the profession of directorship. Mr. Burke also participates in the PwC Corporate
Directors Exchange which aims to give Fortune 1000 directors the tools to lead for long-term success, and the NACD Advanced Director
Professionalism course; Ms. Kiser is a NACD Board Leadership Fellow. She demonstrates her commitment to the highest standards
of exemplary board leadership by earning NACD Fellowship – The Gold Standard Director Credential – each year. During
fiscal year 2022, the following directors attended the following classes and seminars: (i) Ms. O’Keefe attended NACD seminars
on Top Compensation Committee Concerns, and The Future of Healthcare, and a Diligent Institute conference on Board ESG Oversight &
Strategy; (ii) Mr. Phelan attended a Harvard Executive Education Course on “Making Corporate Boards More Effective”;
and (iii) Ms. Wardell attended the Stanford Directors College.
Board
Self-Evaluation
Each year our Board undertakes
a self-evaluation process to critically evaluate its performance and effectiveness. Additionally, each committee conducts a self-evaluation
to monitor its performance and effectiveness. The process is coordinated by the Chairman and the chair of the Nominating &
Governance Committee, and in fiscal year 2022 the Board used an independent third-party to conduct the evaluation process. Board
and committee members are asked to provide commentary about a variety of topics, including the following: overall Board performance,
including strategy, challenges and opportunities; Board and committee meeting logistics and materials; Board and committee culture;
and human capital and succession planning. The results of the evaluations were aggregated and summarized by the independent third-party
and discussed at Board and committee meetings.
KEY
BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Oversight
The Board has an active role
in our overall strategies. The Board actively reviews and provides guidance on Adtalem’s long-term strategies and annual
operating plan. Management reports its progress in executing on Adtalem’s strategies and operating plan throughout the year.
In addition, throughout the year, segment leadership will report to the Board regarding individual segment strategies and operating
plans. The full Board has primary responsibility to review and provide oversight to management on our ESG strategy, supported
by the work of our Audit and Finance, Compensation, External Relations, and Nominating & Governance Committees, each
of whom provides oversight on various components of our ESG strategy. For example, our Audit and Finance Committee provides oversight
of Adtalem’s policies and procedures to identify, assess, monitor, manage and control ESG risks. The Audit and Finance Committee
also provides oversight of Adtalem’s frameworks and standards for climate-related disclosures and reports. The Compensation
Committee has responsibility for reviewing strategy and initiatives related to recruiting and retention to include ESG goals and
milestones, if any.
2022 Proxy Statement 31
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election
of Directors
Risk
Oversight
Adtalem’s full Board
is responsible for assessing major risks facing Adtalem and overseeing management’s plans and actions directed toward the
mitigation and/or elimination of such risk. The Board has assigned specific elements of the oversight of risk management of Adtalem
to committees of the Board, as summarized below. Each committee meets periodically with members of management and, in some cases,
with outside advisors regarding the matters described below and, in turn, reports to the full Board at least after each regular
meeting regarding any findings.
Managing current and emerging
business risks, from regulatory and market risks to global risks like a pandemic, is an important component of our governance
and oversight system. Management undertakes a regular review of a broad set of risks across Adtalem’s business and operations
to identify, assess, manage and monitor existing and emerging threats and opportunities. Adtalem’s Enterprise Risk Management
(“ERM”) team is responsible for leading our risk management program at the enterprise level. The ERM team places particular
focus on key risks that have the potential for the highest impact to Adtalem and its operations, and the highest likelihood of
risk occurrence based on Adtalem’s preparedness and potential impact to Adtalem’s strategy. As part of management’s
proactive risk identification and mitigation efforts, the ERM team has initiated the development of Risk Appetite Statements for
each critical enterprise risk. These Risk Appetite Statements are expected to deepen our understanding of risks, enable effective
action to mitigate risks and strengthen our risk culture.
Board/Committee |
|
Primary
Areas of Risk Oversight |
Full Board |
|
● Reputation
● Legal and regulatory risk and compliance
and ethical business practices
● Strategic planning
● Major organizational actions
● Education public policy
|
Academic
Quality Committee |
|
● Academic quality
● Accreditation
● Curriculum development and delivery
● Student persistence
● Student outcomes
|
Audit
and
Finance Committee |
|
● Accounting and disclosure practices
● Information technology
● Cybersecurity
● Financial controls
● Risk management policies and procedures
● Legal and regulatory risk and compliance,
including compliance and ethics program
● Related party transactions
● Capital structure
● Investments
● Climate-related disclosures and reporting
● Foreign exchange
|
Compensation
Committee |
|
● Compensation practices
● Talent development
● Retention
● Management succession planning
|
External
Relations Committee |
|
● Accreditation
● Higher education public policy
● Compliance with laws and regulations
applicable to Adtalem
● Sustainability, environmental, corporate
social responsibility, and public and community affairs
|
Nominating &
Governance Committee |
|
● Corporate and institutional governance
structures and processes
● Board composition and function
● Board and Chairman of the Board succession
|
32 Adtalem Global
Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election
of Directors
Succession
Planning and Human Capital Management
The Board recognizes that one
of its most important duties is to ensure continuity in Adtalem’s senior leadership by overseeing the retention and development
of executive talent and planning for the effective succession of our CEO, including the succession of Mr. Beard as CEO in September
2021, and the executive leadership team. In order to ensure that the succession planning and leadership development process supports
and enhances our long-term strategic objectives, the Board periodically consults with our CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer
on Adtalem’s business goals, the skills and experience necessary to help Adtalem achieve those goals, our organizational
needs, our leadership pipeline, the succession plans for critical leadership positions, and our talent development and leadership
initiatives. Talent and leadership development, including succession planning, is a top priority of our CEO and the senior executive
team. Our CEO seeks input from members of our Board regarding candidates for executive positions and other key roles.
Our
Sustainability Commitment
SAFEGUARDING GLOBAL HEALTH
AND THE ENVIRONMENT
We recognize that ESG practices
and goals are important to our shareholders because our approach to these areas can provide insight into our corporate behavior,
long-term performance, and sustainability. Our ESG practices support our purpose – to empower students to achieve their
goals, find success, and make inspiring contributions to our global community. We aim to empower and enhance the communities in
which we teach, learn, and work by operating sustainably, maintaining responsible governance standards, and supporting our global
community. We continue to measure our performance and set new goals in areas including academic and policy standards; diversity
and inclusion of Adtalem suppliers; and energy and waste reduction programs.
Adtalem is committed to confronting
the challenges of climate change by reducing the impact of our operations. In fiscal year 2020, we launched a multi-year environmental
initiative with the following three strategic goals to define our Energy Conservation Measures (“ECMs”) and Green
House Gas (“GHG”) reduction activities through 2024:
1. |
Achieve a ten percent (10%)
reduction (when compared to 2019 calendar year levels) of controllable energy use and GHG emission levels across Adtalem’s
U.S. properties by 2024; |
2. |
Aim to initiate an average of one renewable
energy project per year at an owned location from 2021 through 2024; and |
3. |
Implement an enhanced waste and recycling initiative
across Adtalem’s controllable waste portfolio by the end of 2024. |
These goals address a set of
environmental issues that are important to us, including our impact on climate change and our effect on natural resources. The
goals lay the foundation for our environmental vision and solidify our commitment to safeguard the environment. Throughout fiscal
year 2022, we continued implementing energy conservation measures, such as phasing in the use of more efficient LED lighting fixtures.
To date, we have replaced 60% of the lighting within our leased spaces and owned facilities with LED fixtures. This initiative,
in addition to other conservation measures we have implemented since 2019, has allowed us to reduce energy and emissions by 30.9%
and 37.8%, respectively, from our 2019 baseline. In accordance with Goal 2, during fiscal year 2022, we began upgrading an existing
solar array in St. Maarten that will enhance energy efficiency and equip one of our locations with 184 additional hurricane-resistant
solar panels. Once we complete this project in fiscal year 2023, the additional solar panels will provide approximately 125,421
kilowatt hours of clean energy per year. Throughout fiscal year 2022, we also made headway toward Goal 3 by instituting a competitive
bid process that has enabled us to partner with local organizations to advance our recycling efforts more efficiently and cost
effectively while supporting local businesses. Through various waste mitigation efforts we implemented in partnership with Rubicon,
we diverted 23% of waste from landfills during fiscal year 2022. All of these results are through June 2022 and we recognize that
energy and emissions data can differ year-to-year due to operational circumstances, attendance at institutions and external factors,
such as COVID-19.
2022 Proxy
Statement 33
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS, IMPACTING GLOBAL COMMUNITIES
The principles of access and equity underpin our efforts to
empower diverse, vibrant communities across the globe. Guided by our social mission to address critical workforce shortages through
the education of diverse students, we seek to create sustainable workforces that represent the communities they serve. With projected
nursing and physician shortages projected for the next decade, we are actively working to address these critical workforce shortages
by providing training, expanding access to education and establishing robust employer partnerships. In 2022, 83% of the total population
in our five institutions identified as female and 50% as ethnically diverse. Combined, our institutions graduate more than 100
Black/African American physicians annually, more than any U.S. medical school. Many of our graduates go on to serve communities
that are medically underserved or low-income. In 2021, 44% of our medical school graduates practice in medically underserved or
health professional shortage areas and 88% of our medical school graduates practice in low-income communities. This rate is higher
than other U.S. medical school graduates.
The initiatives described above along with a detailed discussion
of our Sustainability Commitment and its core pillars – Operating with Purpose and Responsibility; Safeguarding Global Health
and the Environment; and Empowering Individuals, Impacting Global Communities can be found in Adtalem’s 2022 Sustainability
Report https://www.adtalem.com/media/5396/sustainability-report.pdf.
Information Security and Cybersecurity
Adtalem takes seriously the custody of student, employee, and
stakeholder information, and therefore employs strong governance practices regarding information security. For example, Adtalem’s
Enterprise Information Security Framework policy and Information Governance and Security procedures are modeled on the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-53 policy framework. We continually evaluate the effectiveness of our security
measures.
Some key safeguards include regularly scheduled penetration
tests and vulnerability assessments and mandatory security awareness training for all users of our systems. Representative training
topics include: protection of sensitive information, phishing, and mobile device security.
We utilize advanced security tools and software to protect
our systems and information, to detect unauthorized activity, and to take expeditious corrective action, as required.
The Adtalem Audit and Finance Committee, comprised entirely
of independent directors, assists the Board in its responsibilities of overseeing that the Company has established, documented,
maintained, and periodically reevaluates its cybersecurity processes. Management reports on the state of the cybersecurity program
to the Audit and Finance Committee on a quarterly basis. Additionally, Adtalem’s IT general controls are audited annually
by both the Company’s internal function and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP.
Adtalem maintains a cybersecurity insurance policy, which would
potentially defray certain costs associated with a breach. In the last three years, to its knowledge, Adtalem has not experienced
a significant information security breach.
Outreach and Engagement
We value the opinions of our shareholders and believe regular,
proactive communications with our shareholders to be in the long-term best interests of Adtalem. Our investor communications and
outreach include investor day meetings, investor conferences, and quarterly conference calls. These calls are open to the public
and are available live and as archived webcasts on our website. Additionally, we reach out at least annually to our largest shareholders
to invite feedback. We hold individual calls with shareholders who accept our invitation to allow for open, meaningful discussions.
As part of our shareholder outreach, we have met with shareholders holding approximately 59% of our shares. These included discussions
of compensation matters, as well as ESG issues. We share any feedback received from our shareholders with our Board.
34 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
Shareholders and other interested parties wishing to communicate
with the Board, our Lead Independent Director, or any member or committee of the Board are encouraged to send any communication
to our General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Adtalem Global Education Inc., 500 West Monroe Street, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL
60661 and should prominently indicate on the outside of the envelope that it is intended for the Board, our Lead Independent Director,
the independent directors as a group, or a committee or an individual member of the Board. Any such communication must be in writing,
must set forth the name and address of the shareholder (and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if different), and must
state the form of stock ownership and the number of shares beneficially owned by the shareholder making the communication. Adtalem’s
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary will compile and promptly forward all communications to the Board except for spam, junk
mail, mass mailings, resumes, or other forms of job inquiries, surveys, business solicitations, or advertisements.
Communicating Accounting
Complaints
Shareholders, Adtalem employees and other interested persons
are encouraged to communicate or report any complaint or concern regarding financial statement disclosures, accounting, internal
accounting controls, auditing matters, or violations of Adtalem’s Code of Conduct and Ethics (collectively, “Accounting
Complaints”) to the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Adtalem at the following address:
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Adtalem Global Education
500 West Monroe Street, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60661
Accounting Complaints also may be submitted in a sealed envelope
addressed to the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, in care of the General Counsel, at the address indicated above, and
labeled with a legend such as: “To Be Opened Only by the Audit and Finance Committee.” Any person making such a submission
who would like to discuss an Accounting Complaint with the Audit and Finance Committee should indicate this in the submission and
should include a telephone number at which he or she may be contacted if the Audit and Finance Committee deems it appropriate.
Adtalem employees and students may also report Accounting Complaints
using any of the reporting procedures specified in Adtalem’s Code of Conduct and Ethics. All reports by employees shall be
treated confidentially and may be made anonymously. Adtalem will not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or in any manner
discriminate against any employee in the terms and conditions of his or her employment based upon any lawful actions taken by such
employee with respect to the good faith submission of Accounting Complaints.
BOARD PRACTICES AND
POLICIES
Certain
Relationships and Related Person Transactions
It is Adtalem’s policy that the Audit and Finance Committee
review, approve, or ratify all related party transactions in which Adtalem participates and in which any related person has a direct
or indirect material interest and the transaction involves or is expected to involve payments of $120,000 or more in the aggregate
per fiscal year. Our legal staff is primarily responsible for gathering information from the directors and executive officers,
including annual questionnaires completed by all our directors, director nominees, and executive officers. The Audit and Finance
Committee will review the relevant facts and circumstances of all related party transactions, including whether the transaction
is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arm’s length dealings with an unrelated third party and the extent
of the related party’s interest in the transaction. No member of the Audit and Finance Committee may participate in any approval
of a related party transaction to which he or she is a related party.
Various Adtalem policies and procedures, including the Code
of Conduct and Ethics, which applies to Adtalem’s directors, officers, and all other employees, and annual questionnaires
completed by all Adtalem directors, director nominees, and executive officers, require disclosure of related person transactions
or relationships that may constitute conflicts of interest or otherwise require disclosure under applicable Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) rules.
2022 Proxy Statement 35
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
The Board reviewed the relationship between Adtalem and The
Northern Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation. Adtalem maintains depository accounts with The
Northern Trust Company and conducts a significant portion of its disbursement activity through these accounts. Mr. Logan, one of
our current directors, is Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Global Financial Institutions Group, with Northern Trust
Global Investments, a business unit of The Northern Trust Company. In fiscal year 2022, Adtalem incurred approximately $212,000
in fees to The Northern Trust Company, which were partially offset against compensating balance credits earned on an average monthly
outstanding balance of approximately $43 million. The Board concluded, after considering (i) that the relationship with The Northern
Trust Company predates Mr. Logan joining the Board, (ii) that Mr. Logan has had no involvement in the Adtalem banking transactions,
(iii) the lack of materiality of the transactions to Adtalem and to The Northern Trust Company, and (iv) the fact that the terms
of the transactions are not preferential either to Adtalem or to The Northern Trust Company, that the relationship is not a material
one for purposes of the NYSE listing standards and would not influence Mr. Logan’s actions or decisions as a director of
Adtalem.
There were no other related party transactions in fiscal year
2022 that required approval under our policies and procedures or the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Governance
Principles/Code of Conduct and Ethics
Our Board has adopted Governance Principles that set forth
expectations for directors, director qualifications, director retirement, director independence standards, board committee structure,
and functions and other policies for Adtalem’s governance. We have adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics applicable to all
employees including directors, officers, and full- and part-time employees and faculty of Adtalem Global Education Inc. and its
subsidiaries. These documents are available on Adtalem’s website at https://www.adtalem.com/media/166/governance-principles
and https://www.adtalem.com/media/156/code_of_conduct.pdf. Any amendments or waivers of the Code of Conduct and Ethics will be
disclosed at these website addresses.
We encourage individuals to speak up with questions, concerns
or potential violations of our Code of Conduct, and we have a 24-hour reporting hotline administered through a third-party to offer
anonymity to anyone reporting such issues. Information about our whistleblower policy and practices are included in the Code of
Conduct. All reports, which are reviewed by the Audit and Finance Committee each quarter, are investigated promptly, thoroughly
and fairly, and appropriate action is taken whenever necessary.
Compensation
Committee Independence and Insider Participation
During fiscal year 2022, Michael W. Malafronte, William W.
Burke, Lyle Logan, and Kenneth J. Phelan served on the Compensation Committee. No member of the Compensation Committee was, during
2022, an officer or employee of Adtalem, was formerly an officer of Adtalem, and other than the related person transaction between
Adtalem and The Northern Trust Company, where Mr. Logan serves as an Executive Vice President and Managing Director, discussed
above in Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions, had any relationship requiring disclosure by Adtalem as a related
person transaction under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. During 2022, none of the Company’s executive officers served on the
board of directors or a compensation committee of any other entity, any officers of which served on Adtalem’s Board or our
Compensation Committee.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The competitiveness of the director compensation program is
reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee with the assistance and input of Meridian Compensation Partners (“Meridian”),
the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant. In fiscal year 2022, the director compensation program
was benchmarked by Meridian and reviewed against Adtalem’s peer group. As a result of that review, in the second half of
fiscal year 2022, the Board increased by $2,500 the additional retainer paid to the Committee Chairs, other than the Compensation
Committee Chair. No other changes were made for the year. In fiscal year 2022, non-employee directors continued to receive an annual
retainer of $85,000, paid quarterly. After the increase in May 2022, the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee received an additional
annual retainer of $25,000, the Chair of the Compensation Committee continued to receive an additional retainer of $17,500, and
the chairs of each of the other committees received an additional annual retainer of $12,500 for their roles as committee chairs.
During fiscal year 2022, Ms. Wardell, our Executive Chairman of the Board, and former CEO and President, did not receive any additional
compensation for her service as Chairman of the Board and Mr. Burke received an additional annual retainer of $35,000 for his service
as Lead Independent Director. For fiscal year 2023, Ms. Wardell will receive the same compensation as our independent directors.
Directors were reimbursed for any reasonable and appropriate expenditures attendant to Board membership.
36 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors
Under the Adtalem Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan,
a director could elect to defer all or a portion of the cash retainer. Any amount so deferred is, at the director’s election,
valued as if invested in various investment choices made available by the Compensation Committee for this purpose, and is payable
in cash installments, or as a lump-sum on or after termination of service as a director, or at a later date specified by the director.
No non-employee directors deferred any portion of their compensation in fiscal year 2022.
As long-term incentive compensation for directors, each non-employee
director received RSUs with an approximate value of $125,000 directly following the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each RSU
represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock following the satisfaction of the vesting period. All RSUs granted in
November 2021 vest upon the one-year anniversary of the grant date.
This table discloses all non-employee director compensation
provided in fiscal year 2022 to the directors of Adtalem for their service as directors.
Name | |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1) | |
Stock Awards ($)(2) | |
Total
($) |
William W. Burke | |
142,500 | |
124,870 | |
267,370 |
Charles DeShazer | |
85,000 | |
124,870 | |
209,870 |
Mayur Gupta | |
90,082 | |
124,870 | |
214,952 |
Donna J. Hrinak | |
95,000 | |
124,870 | |
219,870 |
Georgette Kiser | |
95,000 | |
124,870 | |
219,870 |
Liam Krehbiel(3) | |
— | |
— | |
— |
Lyle Logan | |
113,000 | (4) |
124,870 | |
237,870 |
Michael W. Malafronte | |
102,500 | |
124,870 | |
227,370 |
Sharon L. O’Keefe | |
85,000 | |
124,870 | |
209,870 |
Kenneth J. Phelan | |
85,000 | |
124,870 | |
209,870 |
(1) |
Includes all retainer fees paid or deferred pursuant to the Adtalem Global Education Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. |
(2) |
The amounts reported
in the Stock Awards column represent the grant date fair value of 3,690 RSUs granted on November 10, 2021 to each of the directors
named above, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions made in determining the valuations of these awards
can be found at Note 17: Stock-Based Compensation to our audited financial statements in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended June 30, 2022. The number of RSUs granted to each of the directors named above was determined by dividing
$125,000 by $33.84, which represents the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the November 10, 2021 award date, and
rounding to the nearest 10 shares. |
(3)
|
Mr. Krehbiel was appointed
to the Board effective June 6, 2022. |
(4) |
This amount includes $18,000 in cash Mr. Logan received as compensation for his services as a member of the board of trustees of an Adtalem institution. |
|
The table below discloses the aggregate number of RSUs outstanding
at June 30, 2022 for each non-employee director listed above. |
|
Name | |
RSUs Outstanding (#) |
|
William W. Burke | |
3,690 |
|
Charles DeShazer | |
3,690 |
|
Mayur Gupta | |
3,690 |
|
Donna J. Hrinak | |
3,690 |
|
Georgette Kiser | |
3,690 |
|
Liam Krehbiel(1) | |
— |
|
Lyle Logan | |
3,690 |
|
Michael W. Malafronte | |
3,690 |
|
Sharon L. O’Keefe | |
3,690 |
|
Kenneth J. Phelan | |
3,690 |
|
(1) |
Mr. Krehbiel was appointed to the Board effective June 6, 2022. |
2022 Proxy Statement 37
Table of Contents
PROPOSAL NO. 2
Ratify Selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Subject to shareholder ratification, the Audit and Finance
Committee of the Board has reappointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), as independent registered public accounting
firm for Adtalem and its subsidiaries for fiscal year 2023. The Board recommends to the shareholders that the selection of PwC
as independent registered public accounting firm for Adtalem and its subsidiaries be ratified. If the shareholders do not ratify
the selection of PwC, the selection of independent registered public accounting firm will be reconsidered by the Audit and Finance
Committee. Representatives of PwC are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement, if
they desire to do so, and to be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.
APPROVAL BY SHAREHOLDERS
Proposal No. 2 to ratify the selection of PwC as independent
registered public accounting firm for Adtalem for fiscal year 2023 will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
of Common Stock of Adtalem represented at the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise indicated on the proxy, the shares will be voted
FOR ratification of the selection of PwC as independent registered public accounting
firm for Adtalem for fiscal year 2023.
|
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of PwC as Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023. |
SELECTION AND ENGAGEMENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit and Finance Committee, at each of its regularly scheduled
meetings, and on an interim basis as required, reviews all engagements of PwC for audit and all other services. Prior to the Audit
and Finance Committee’s consideration for approval, management provides the Audit and Finance Committee with a description
of the reason for and nature of the services to be provided along with an estimate of the time required and approximate cost. Following
such review, each proposed service is approved, modified, or denied as appropriate. A record of all such approvals is maintained
in the files of the Audit and Finance Committee for future reference. All services provided by PwC during the past two years were
approved by the Audit and Finance Committee prior to their undertaking.
PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES
The Audit and Finance
Committee has adopted a policy for approving all permitted audit, audit-related, tax, and non-audit services to be provided by
PwC in advance of the commencement of such services, except for those considered to be de minimis by law for non-audit services.
Information regarding services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm under this de minimis exception
is presented to the Audit and Finance Committee for information purposes at each of its meetings. There is no blanket pre-approval
provision within this policy. For fiscal years 2021 and 2022, none of the services provided by PwC were provided pursuant to the
de minimis exception to the pre-approval requirements contained in the applicable rules of the SEC. Audit and Finance Committee
consideration and approval generally occurs at a regularly scheduled Audit and Finance Committee meeting. For projects that require
an expedited decision because the independent registered public accounting firm should begin prior to the next regularly scheduled
meeting, requests for approval may be circulated to the Audit and Finance Committee by mail, telephonically or by other means
for its consideration and approval. When deemed necessary, the Audit and Finance Committee has delegated pre-approval authority
to its Chair. Any engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm under this delegation will be presented for
informational purposes to the full Audit and Finance Committee at their next meeting.
38 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 2 Ratify Selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
AUDIT FEES AND OTHER
FEES
The Audit and Finance Committee appointed PwC as Adtalem’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. Adtalem’s shareholders ratified the
engagement at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on November 10, 2021. In addition to engaging PwC to audit the consolidated financial
statements for Adtalem and its subsidiaries for the year and review the interim financial statements included in Adtalem’s
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, the Audit and Finance Committee also engaged PwC to provide various other audit
and audit-related services — e.g., auditing of Adtalem’s compliance with student financial aid program regulations.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 prohibits an independent public
accountant from providing certain non-audit services for an audit client. Adtalem engages various other professional service providers
for these non-audit services as required. Other professional advisory and consulting service providers are engaged where the required
technical expertise is specialized and cannot be economically provided by employee staffing. Such services include, from time to
time, business and asset valuation studies, and services in the fields of law, human resources, information technology, employee
benefits and tax structure, and compliance.
The aggregate amounts included in Adtalem’s financial
statements for fiscal year 2022 and 2021 for fees billed or to be billed by PwC for audit and other professional services, respectively,
were as follows:
| |
Fiscal
Year 2022 | | |
Fiscal
Year 2021 | |
Audit Fees | |
$ | 4,584,000 | | |
$ | 2,628,000 | |
Audit-Related Fees | |
$ | 2,500,000 | | |
$ | 850,000 | |
Tax Fees | |
$ | 965,324 | | |
$ | 405,881 | |
All Other Fees | |
$ | 4,150 | | |
$ | 18,000 | |
Total | |
$ | 8,053,474 | | |
$ | 3,901,881 | |
AUDIT FEES — Includes all services performed
to comply with generally accepted accounting principles in conjunction with the annual audit of Adtalem’s financial statements
and the audit of internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, this category includes fees for services in connection
with Adtalem’s statutory and regulatory filings, consents, and review of filings with the SEC such as the annual report on
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. Also included are services rendered in connection with
the required annual audits of Adtalem’s compliance with the rules and procedures promulgated for the administration of federal
and state student financial aid programs. The increase in audit fees for fiscal year 2022 is primarily due to work related to the
acquisition of Walden University and the disposition of our Financial Services segment.
AUDIT-RELATED FEES — Audit-related fees
of $2,500,000 were billed to us by PwC for fiscal year 2022, which included services performed related to carve-out financial statement
audits prepared related to the sale of our Financial Services segment. Audit-related fees of $850,000 were billed to us by PwC
for fiscal year 2021, which included services performed related to Adtalem’s debt offerings and comfort letters.
TAX FEES — Includes all services related
to tax compliance, tax planning, tax advice, assistance with tax audits, and responding to requests from Adtalem’s tax department
regarding technical interpretations, applicable laws and regulations, and tax accounting. Adtalem’s Audit and Finance Committee
has considered the nature of these services and concluded that these services may be provided by the independent registered public
accounting firm without impairing its independence. The increase in tax fees for fiscal year 2022 is primarily due to work related
to the acquisition of Walden University and the disposition of our Financial Services segment.
ALL OTHER FEES — Includes subscriptions
for online accounting research services, fees for access to disclosure checklist, and fees to prepare a human resource benchmarking
study.
2022 Proxy Statement 39
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 2 Ratify Selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
REPORT
To Our Shareholders:
The Audit and Finance Committee of Adtalem consists of three
independent directors. The members of the Audit and Finance Committee meet the independence and financial literacy requirements
of the NYSE and additional heightened independence criteria applicable to members of the Audit and Finance Committee under SEC
and NYSE rules. In fiscal year 2022, the Audit and Finance Committee held nine meetings. The Audit and Finance Committee has adopted,
and annually reviews, a charter outlining the practices it follows. The charter conforms to the SEC’s implementing regulations
and to the NYSE listing standards.
Management is responsible for Adtalem’s internal controls
and the financial reporting process by which it prepares the financial statements. Adtalem’s independent registered public
accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of the annual financial statements of Adtalem and expressing
an opinion on those statements. The principal duties of the Audit and Finance Committee include:
● |
Monitoring Adtalem’s financial reporting processes, including its internal control systems; |
● |
Selecting Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm, subject to ratification by the shareholders; |
● |
Evaluating the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence; |
● |
Monitoring the scope, approach, and results of the annual audits and quarterly reviews of financial statements, and discussing the results of those audits and reviews with management and the independent registered public accounting firm; |
● |
Overseeing the effectiveness of Adtalem’s internal audit function and overall risk management processes; |
● |
Discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the nature and effectiveness of Adtalem’s internal control systems; and |
● |
Reviewing and recommending to the Board Adtalem’s financing policies and actions related to investment, capital structure, and financing strategies. |
During fiscal year 2022, at each of its regularly scheduled
meetings, the Audit and Finance Committee met with the senior members of the Adtalem’s financial management team. Additionally,
the Audit and Finance Committee had separate private sessions, on a quarterly basis, with Adtalem’s independent registered
public accounting firm, Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Adtalem’s Chief Financial Officer, and Adtalem’s
Vice President, Internal Audit.
The Audit and Finance Committee is updated periodically on
the process management uses to assess the adequacy of Adtalem’s internal control systems over financial reporting, the framework
used to make the assessment and management’s conclusions on the effectiveness of Adtalem’s internal controls over financial
reporting. The Audit and Finance Committee also discusses with Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm Adtalem’s
internal control assessment process, management’s assessment with respect thereto and the evaluation by Adtalem’s independent
registered public accounting firm of its system of internal controls over financial reporting.
The Audit and Finance Committee annually evaluates the performance
of Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm, including the senior audit engagement team, and determines whether
to reengage the current independent registered public accounting firm. As a threshold matter, the Audit and Finance Committee satisfies
itself that the most recent Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) inspection report pertaining to the
current firm does not contain any information that would render inappropriate its continued service as Adtalem’s independent
public accountants, including consideration of the public portion of the report and discussion in general terms of the types of
matters covered in the non-public portion of the report. The Audit and Finance Committee also considers the quality and efficiency
of the previous services rendered by the current auditors and the auditors’ technical expertise and knowledge of Adtalem’s
global operations and industry. Based on this evaluation, the Audit and Finance Committee decided to reengage, and recommend ratification
of, PwC as Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023. The Audit and Finance Committee
reviewed with members of Adtalem’s senior management team and PwC the overall audit scope and plans, the results of internal
and external audit examinations, evaluations by management and PwC of Adtalem’s internal controls over financial reporting,
and the quality of Adtalem’s financial reporting. Although the Audit and Finance
40 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 2 Ratify Selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Committee has the sole authority to appoint Adtalem’s
independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit and Finance Committee recommends that the Board ask the shareholders,
at their annual meeting, to ratify the appointment of Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm. With respect
to Adtalem’s audited financial statements for fiscal year 2022, the Audit and Finance Committee has:
● |
Reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management; |
● |
Met with PwC, Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm, and discussed the matters required to be discussed by the PCAOB and the SEC; and |
● |
Received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit and Finance Committee concerning independence and has discussed its independence with PwC. |
In reliance upon the Audit and Finance Committee’s reviews
and discussions with both management and PwC, management’s representations and the report of PwC on Adtalem’s audited
financial statements, the Audit and Finance Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2022 be included in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
In addition, the Audit and Finance Committee has re-appointed,
subject to shareholder ratification, PwC as Adtalem’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023.
This Audit and Finance Committee Report is not to be deemed
incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent that Adtalem specifically incorporates this Audit and
Finance Committee Report by reference, and is not otherwise to be deemed filed under such acts.
William W. Burke, Chair
Donna J. Hrinak
Michael W. Malafronte
2022 Proxy Statement 41
Table of Contents
PROPOSAL NO. 3
Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION &
ANALYSIS
The following pages summarize our executive compensation program for
our NEOs. Our 2022 NEOs are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen W. Beard
President and Chief
Executive Officer |
|
Robert J. Phelan
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer |
|
Douglas G. Beck
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary |
|
John W. Danaher
President, Medical
and Veterinary |
|
Maurice Herrera
Senior Vice President,
Chief Marketing Officer |
|
Lisa W. Wardell
Former Executive
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer |
Executive Summary
Adtalem’s executive compensation program is
designed to reward leaders for delivering strong financial results and building shareholder value. We firmly believe that academic
quality and a strong student-centric focus lead to growth and, therefore, we have incorporated measures into our executive compensation
program to recognize leadership for their roles in improving student academic performance and outcomes.
This executive compensation program structure enables
us to provide a competitive total compensation package while aligning our leaders’ interests with those of our shareholders
and other stakeholders. The following chart highlights key objectives behind the development, review and approval of our NEOs’
compensation.
Effective September 8, 2021, Mr. Beard was appointed
President and CEO and Ms. Wardell was appointed Executive Chairman. Adtalem entered into Executive Employment Agreements with
Ms. Wardell and Mr. Beard for their new roles as Executive Chairman and President and CEO, respectively. Ms. Wardell’s appointment
as Executive Chairman terminated effective September 7, 2022.
42 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve
the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
COMPENSATION OBJECTIVES
Our executive compensation program is designed to:
|
ALIGN INCENTIVES |
|
|
|
|
COMPETE FOR TALENT |
|
|
|
|
REWARD PERFORMANCE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Our purpose is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Success in realizing our purpose drives growth, which leads to the creation of sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders. Our compensation program is distinguished by its alignment not only with our shareholders, but also with our students, whose success is critical to our organization’s success. |
|
|
|
Our compensation program is designed to attract, retain and motivate high-performing employees, particularly our key executives who are critical to our operations. Our compensation decisions take into account the competitive landscape for talent. |
|
|
|
We reward outstanding performance through:
● A short-term incentive program focusing our executives on achieving strong financial results and superior academic and student outcomes, through individual performance objectives, and
● A long-term incentive program providing a mix of equity vehicles designed to reward long-term financial performance and shareholder value creation.
|
|
Our executive compensation program is founded on aligning the attainment
of our business transformation and growth objectives with commensurate rewards based on results achieved over both short- and
long-term performance periods. The Compensation Committee believes this approach appropriately focuses executives on achieving
our strategic priorities and provides appropriate upside and downside potential based on actual performance and results achieved
over time.
Our program, particularly how we measure performance through both annual
incentives and our long-term performance share plan, employs measures that support our fundamental shift in strategic focus for
management and our organization at large.
Fiscal year 2022 highlights underscored
by commitment to business transformation and growth
Key Achievements |
|
How this positions us for growth |
Completing the purchase of Walden University |
|
● Reinvests capital (following the divestiture of Adtalem
Brazil) via inorganic growth to expand market share of healthcare focused assets while harnessing synergies to accelerate
returns and position us for short- and long-term growth; and
● Complements existing portfolio while adding substantial
scale and capabilities as a healthcare-focused education provider to capture the long-term durable demand for skilled
healthcare professionals |
Focus on integration readiness as a segue to realizing value capture |
|
● Delivered
our first-year target of $30 million in run-rate synergies and leveraged the integration as a catalyst to transform Adtalem,
starting with the introduction of a more dynamic, efficient and better integrated operating model |
Strengthening our bench and focus on excellence in talent |
|
● Strengthened
bench and supported long-term growth by investing in several key leadership hires with emphasis on general management, strategic
marketing and growth-oriented roles, improving the succession pipeline in key functional and operational areas |
Maintained Focus on Business Continuity - Normalized and prepared to expand business during pandemic |
|
● Demonstrated agility with limited time and resources and
despite the uncertainty during unprecedented times;
● Delivered solid financial performance despite significant
challenges to the business;
● Managed through times of extreme uncertainty for Chamberlain
University and the medical schools where clinical experience is key for student success; and
● Consolidated brick and mortar administrative offices and
managed a hybrid workforce |
2022 Proxy Statement 43
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
CONTINUED SHAREHOLDER OUTREACH
Adtalem employs a proactive investor relations approach, involving
management and the Board, with ongoing outreach and interactive dialogue with investors to seek input on topics including corporate
governance, executive compensation, diversity, equity and inclusion, and strategy. Our goal is to provide transparency to ensure
there is a clear understanding of our business and our operating and financial performance – as set forth in our public filings,
through one-on-one discussions, non-deal road shows, and investor conferences.
While we are very pleased by the positive response to the executive
compensation program substantiated by our 92% say on pay approval rating at the 2021 annual meeting, our ongoing
commitment included proactive outreach to our top shareholders in 2022. Those shareholders that did provide feedback (which collectively
hold approximately 59% of our shares) responded favorably to our executive compensation program, did not express any particular
areas of concern and reiterated their support for the positive changes implemented last year.
Adtalem and the Compensation Committee will continue to engage our
shareholder base in the future to understand shareholder concerns, particularly in connection with potential changes to its compensation
or governance practices.
PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE FOCUS
We use both short- and long-term incentives to reward NEOs for delivering
strong business results, increasing shareholder value and improving student outcomes. With our pay-for-performance philosophy,
an executive can earn in excess of target levels when performance exceeds established objectives. And, if performance falls below
established objectives, our incentive plans pay below target levels, which in some cases could be nothing at all.
MR. BEARD’S 2022 TARGET COMPENSATION MIX |
|
OTHER NEO 2022 TARGET COMPENSATION
MIX(1)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Excludes perquisites. |
(2) |
Illustration represents fiscal year 2022 target compensation mix for Mr. Beard and the other
NEOs with the exception of Ms. Wardell who was not eligible for an annual incentive award in fiscal year 2022. Mr. Beard’s
actual long-term incentive award for fiscal year 2022 was greater than his target long-term incentive award resulting from
the negotiation with Adtalem of his compensation package in connection with his appointment as President and Chief Executive
Officer. |
Program Design:
● |
The actual value realized from the annual MIP award can range from zero, if threshold performance targets are not met, to up to 200% of targeted amounts for exceptional organizational performance. |
● |
Our regular long-term incentive program consists of equity-based awards whose value ultimately depends on our stock price performance. A significant portion of the annual long-term incentive program (half of the executive officers’ annual awards) is granted in the form of PSUs, the number of which are earned based on our three-year performance versus return on invested capital (“ROIC”) and free cash flow (“FCF”) per share goals. If the minimum levels of performance are not met, no PSUs are earned; if the minimum levels of performance are met, payout can range from 50% to 200% of the target number of PSUs. In the case of Mr. Beard, his fiscal year 2022 long-term incentive award consisted of stock options which represented 14% of his grant, RSUs which represented 55% of his grant, and PSUs which represented 31% of his grant. The fiscal year 2022 equity mix for Mr. Beard resulted from negotiations with Adtalem of his compensation package in connection with his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer. Beginning in fiscal year 2023, we are eliminating stock options and shifting our equity mix for executive officers to 60% PSUs and 40% RSUs to strengthen pay-for-performance alignment. |
44 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Performance Assessment: Our Compensation Committee uses a comprehensive,
well-defined and rigorous process to assess organizational and individual performance. We believe the performance measures for
our incentive plans focus management on the appropriate objectives for the creation of short- and long-term shareholder value as
well as academic quality and organizational growth.
2022 COMPENSATION DECISIONS AND ACTIONS
Key Fiscal Year 2022 Compensation Decisions
|
BASE SALARY Page 49 |
|
|
|
|
Adtalem is committed to offering market competitive compensation to our key executives, including competitive base salaries. In fiscal year 2022, the Board and/or the Compensation Committee approved base salaries for Mr. Beard and each of our other NEOs in connection with certain organizational changes that occurred in early fiscal year 2022. The base salary of Mr. Beard was increased from $600,020 to $900,000, effective September 8, 2021, in connection with his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer. The base salary of Mr. Phelan was increased from $350,000 to $480,000 in connection with his appointment as Chief Financial Officer. The base salary of Mr. Beck was increased from $500,000 to $515,000 through a merit increase of 3% as part of our normal compensation review process. The base salaries of Dr. Danaher and Mr. Herrera were set at $585,000 and $435,000 respectively, at the time each was hired by Adtalem in fiscal 2022. The base salary of Ms. Wardell remained unchanged at $1,100,000 in connection with her appointment as Executive Chairman, effective September 8, 2021. This reflected Ms. Wardell’s focus on Board operations, governance matters, assisting with the transition to our new CEO, the divestiture of the Financial Services business and Adtalem’s Global Legislative agenda.
|
|
ANNUAL INCENTIVES Page 50 |
|
|
|
|
For Mr. Beard, while serving as Chief Operating Officer, 70% of his
fiscal year 2022 MIP award was based on Adtalem’s financial performance, specifically adjusted earnings per share and adjusted
revenue, and following his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, the financial performance component increased
to 85% reflecting Mr. Beard’s key responsibility in leading Adtalem’s financial growth. The remaining 30%, which subsequently
decreased to 15% in connection with his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, was based on individual performance.
For the other NEOs (other than Ms. Wardell), 70% of the fiscal year 2022 MIP award was based on financial performance at Adtalem
(adjusted earnings per share and adjusted revenue) or at the institutions for which the NEO is responsible (adjusted operating
income and revenue), and the remaining 30% was based on individual performance. As provided in her Employment Agreement, Ms. Wardell
was not eligible for a MIP award for fiscal year 2022 in her capacity as Executive Chairman.
Awards under the fiscal year 2022 MIP were earned at 29% of target
for Mr. Beard and between 30% and 36% of target for the other NEOs. The MIP awards for Mr. Beard and the other NEOs reflect a payout
for the individual performance component of MIP but no payout for the financial performance component of MIP, reflecting performance
that was below threshold for fiscal year 2022.
|
|
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES Page 55 |
|
|
|
|
In fiscal year 2022, Mr. Beard and the other NEOs received long-term
incentive awards consisting of performance-vesting PSUs, service-vesting stock options, and service-vesting RSUs.
PSU awards granted in August 2019 to NEOs1, consisting
of financial-based PSUs, vested in August 2022 including ROIC and FCF per share targets that were assessed over a three-year period.
Based on our financial performance, the ROIC and FCF per share PSUs vested with an overall payout of 50.6% and 90.9% of target,
respectively.
1 Excluding Mr. Phelan, Mr. Beck, Dr. Danaher, and Mr. Herrera who were not employed by Adtalem at the time of grant.
|
2022 Proxy Statement 45
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Factors Guiding our Decisions
● |
Executive compensation program objectives, philosophy and principles; |
● |
Shareholder input, including say-on-pay vote; |
● |
Adtalem’s mission, vision, purpose and “TEACH” values; |
● |
The competitive landscape, trends and best pay practices; |
● |
Financial performance of Adtalem and its individual institutions; and |
● |
Advice of our independent outside compensation consultant. |
The following provides a more in-depth discussion of our performance
in these areas that helped drive the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of performance, and ultimately, compensation decisions
for fiscal year 2022.
2022 Financial and Operational Highlights
Adtalem’s fiscal year 2022 financial results reflect continued
improvement of our operational performance and strengthening of our balance sheet, in the face of lingering macro challenges for
the industry. Total enrollments at the end of fiscal year 2022 were over 77,000 students, resulting in revenue of $1.4 billion.
During the year, we expanded operating margins through the rollout of our new operating model and the realization of synergies
from the Walden University acquisition. For the full year, we grew operating margins by 230 basis points year over year and reported
adjusted earnings per share of $3.05, which was 32% higher than the prior year. See Appendix A for a reconciliation to reported
results.
Significant progress was made on our key strategic priorities in fiscal
year 2022 with the acquisition and ongoing integration of Walden University, a strategy designed to drive superior student outcomes,
meet the critical workforce needs of our employer partners and drive value for our shareholders. We successfully completed the
acquisition of Walden University in August 2021.
Despite improved operational performance, fiscal year 2022 adjusted
revenue and adjusted earnings per share were below our operating plan, which served as the basis for our fiscal year 2022 MIP
financial performance targets. As a result, there was no payout for the Adtalem adjusted revenue and adjusted earnings per
share portion of the executive officers’ MIP award.
FY22 ADJUSTED REVENUE |
|
FY22 ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER
SHARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Adjusted results exclude impact of special items. See Appendix A for a reconciliation to reported results. |
46 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION GOVERNANCE AND PRACTICES
|
WHAT
WE DO |
|
|
|
|
WHAT
WE DON’T DO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pay for economic and academic performance
Solicit and value shareholder opinions about our compensation practices
Deliver total direct compensation primarily through variable pay
Set challenging short- and long-term incentive award goals
Provide strong oversight that ensures adherence to incentive grant regulations
and limits
Maintain robust stock ownership requirements
Adhere to an incentive compensation recoupment (clawback) policy
Offer market-competitive benefits
Consult with an independent advisor on executive pay practices, plan designs and
competitive pay levels
|
|
|
|
Provide guaranteed salary increases
Provide tax gross-ups
Provide single-trigger change-in-control severance
Re-price stock options or exchange underwater options for other awards or cash
Pay dividends on unvested performance-based awards
Provide excessive perquisites
Offer a defined benefit pension or supplemental executive retirement plan
Permit hedging or pledging of Adtalem Common Stock
Reward executives without a link to performance
|
|
Executive Compensation
PRINCIPLES OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee uses the following Principles of Executive
Compensation to assess Adtalem’s executive compensation program and to provide guidance to management on the Compensation
Committee’s expectations for the overall executive compensation structure:
Principle |
|
Purpose |
Stewardship/Sustainability |
|
● Reinforce Adtalem’s purpose and long-term vision
● Motivate and reward sustained long-term growth in shareholder value
● Uphold long-term interests of all stakeholders (including
students, employees, employers, shareholders and taxpayers)
● Focus on sustaining and enhancing the quality and outcomes
of education programs
● Promote continued differentiation and expansion of Adtalem’s
programs |
Accountability |
|
● Ensure financial interests and rewards are tied to executive’s
area of impact and responsibility (division, geography and function)
● Require timing of performance periods to match timing of
employee’s impact and responsibility (short-, medium- and long-term)
● Emphasize quality, service and academic and career results
● Articulate well defined metrics, goals, ranges, limits and
results
● Motivate and reward achievement of strategic goals, with
appropriate consequences for failure
● Comply with legislation and regulations |
Alignment |
|
● Promote commonality of interest with all stakeholders (including
students, employees, employers, shareholders and taxpayers)
● Reflect and reinforce Adtalem’s values and culture
● Promote commonality of interests across business units, geography
and up, down and across the chain of command
● Provide a balance between short- and long-term performance |
2022 Proxy Statement 47
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Principle |
|
Purpose |
Engagement |
|
● Attract and retain high quality talent and provide for
organizational succession
● Provide market competitive total compensation and benefits
packages at all levels
● Promote consistent employee development at all levels
● Motivate urgency, creativity and dedication to Adtalem’s
purpose
● Clearly communicate the link between pay and performance |
Transparency |
|
● Clearly communicate compensation structure, rationale
and outcomes to all employees and shareholders
● Provide simple and understandable structure that is easy
for internal and external parties to understand
● Maintain a reasonable and logical relationship between
pay at different levels
● Base plan on systematic goals that are objective and clear,
with appropriate level of discretion |
2022 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION FRAMEWORK
Adtalem’s fiscal year 2022 incentive compensation program for
executives was designed to link compensation performance with the full spectrum of our business goals, some of which are short-term,
while others take several years or more to achieve:
COMPENSATION SNAPSHOT
|
|
|
Objective |
Time
Horizon |
Performance
Measures |
Additional Explanation |
Salary (cash) |
|
Base Salary |
Reflect experience, market competition and scope of responsibilities |
Reviewed Annually |
● Assessment of performance in prior year. |
● Represents 12% and 35% of Total Direct Compensation for Mr. Beard and
other NEOs (on average), respectively. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Incentive
(cash) |
|
MIP |
Reward achievement of short-term operational business priorities |
1 year |
● Adjusted Revenue*
● Adjusted Earnings Per Share*
● Individual Goals |
● Represents 14% and 25% of Total Direct Compensation for Mr.
Beard and other NEOs (on average), respectively. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term Incentive
(equity) |
|
Stock Options |
Reward stock price growth and retain key talent |
4 year ratable |
● Stock price growth |
● Represents 30% of NEO LTI granted in FY22.** |
|
|
RSUs |
Align interests of management and shareholders, and retain key talent |
● Represents 20% of NEO LTI granted in FY22.** |
|
|
ROIC PSUs |
Reward
achievement of multi-year financial goals, align interests of management and shareholders, and retain key talent |
3 year cliff |
● ROIC |
● Represents 50% of NEO LTI granted in FY22.** |
|
|
FCF PSUs |
● FCF per share |
* |
A portion of the MIP payout for executive leadership of business segments and
business units is also based on the revenue and operating income at such executive’s business segment or business unit. |
** |
The long-term equity award for Mr. Beard in fiscal year 2022 included stock options which represented 14% of his grant,
RSUs which represented 55% of his grant and PSUs which represented 31% of his grant. The fiscal year 2022 equity mix for Mr.
Beard resulted from negotiations with Adtalem of his compensation package in connection with his appointment as President
and Chief Executive Officer. |
48 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
ANALYSIS OF 2022 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Annual Base Salary Review
Annual base salaries for NEOs are intended to reflect the scope of
their responsibilities, the experience they bring to their roles, and current market compensation for similar roles of other executives
of companies that are peers of Adtalem. Once established, and under normal business conditions, base salaries are reviewed annually
for adjustment to reflect the executive’s prior performance and respond to changes in market conditions. The table below
lists the seven criteria the Compensation Committee uses to determine changes to salary from one year to the next.
Base salary adjustments are made based on seven criteria: |
1. |
Adtalem’s overall financial performance compared to operating plan |
2. |
Executive’s performance against established individual goals and objectives |
3. |
Executive’s effectiveness in instilling a culture of academic quality, teamwork, student service and integrity |
4. |
Executive’s expected future contributions |
5. |
Comparison to peer group and other available market data |
6. |
Merit increase parameters set for all colleagues in the organization |
7. |
Discretion based on interaction and observation through the year |
Fiscal Year 2022 Base Salary Decisions
In August 2021, the Board, based on the Compensation Committee’s
recommendation in consultation with Meridian, increased Mr. Beard’s base salary from $600,020 to $900,000, effective September
8, 2021, in connection with his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer and further determined to make no change to
Ms. Wardell’s base salary in connection with her appointment as Executive Chairman. Mr. Phelan’s base salary was increased
from $350,000 to $480,000 in connection with his appointment as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Beck’s base salary was increased
from $500,000 to $515,000 through a merit increase of 3% as part of our normal compensation review process. The base salaries of
Dr. Danaher and Mr. Herrera were set at the time they each were hired in fiscal year 2022.
ANNUAL BASE SALARY
| |
| FY2021 | | |
| FY2022 | | |
| Percent Change |
Stephen W. Beard | |
$ | 600,020 | | |
$ | 900,000 | | |
| 50.0 | % |
Robert J. Phelan | |
$ | 350,000 | | |
$ | 480,000 | | |
| 37.1 | % |
Douglas G. Beck | |
$ | 500,000 | | |
$ | 515,000 | | |
| 3.0 | % |
John W. Danaher(1) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 585,000 | | |
| — | |
Maurice Herrera(2) | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 435,000 | | |
| — | |
Lisa W. Wardell | |
$ | 1,100,000 | | |
$ | 1,100,000 | | |
| 0.0 | % |
(1) |
Dr. Danaher was hired on August 23, 2021 and therefore did not
have a salary for fiscal year 2021. |
(2) |
Mr. Herrera was hired on October 18, 2021 and therefore did not have a salary for fiscal year 2021. |
2022 Proxy Statement 49
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation
The annual cash incentive, delivered through the MIP, provides NEOs
with the opportunity to earn rewards based on the achievement of organizational and institutional performance, as well as individual
performance.
How the MIP Works
MIP target award opportunities for each NEO are set by the Compensation
Committee based on factors including external surveys of peer company practices for positions with similar levels of responsibility.
These targets, which are expressed as a percentage of base salary, are then reviewed at the beginning of each fiscal year based
on updated market compensation data.
For fiscal year 2022, the MIP provided Adtalem’s NEOs (other
than Mr. Beard and Ms. Wardell) with a target award opportunity ranging from 60% to 80% of base salary. The target award opportunity
for Mr. Beard was set at 110% of base salary, an increase from 80% in his role as COO. In her role as Executive Chairman, Ms. Wardell
was not eligible for a fiscal year 2022 MIP award. No other changes were made to the MIP target award opportunity as a percentage
of base salary for the other NEOs.
|
|
Creating a Strong Link to Pay-for-Performance
We believe the MIP payouts made to our NEOs for fiscal year 2022 support
our executive compensation objective of pay-for-performance by rewarding our NEOs to the extent they met or exceeded pre-established
individual performance goals and financial performance goals related to the institutions they oversee.
|
|
|
Actual awards can be higher or lower than the target opportunity based
on the results for each performance measure. Performance below the threshold for the goal will result in no payment for that performance
goal. Performance at or above threshold can earn an award ranging from 50% to 200% of the target amount. The maximum amount of
200% of target rewards exceptional performance compared to expectations, over-delivery of strategic initiatives, and/or achievement
of initiatives not contemplated at the time goals were set.
Actual earned awards are determined after the fiscal year has ended
and audited financial results have been completed (i.e., in the first quarter of the next fiscal year). Thus, MIP awards for fiscal
year 2022 were determined and paid in the early part of fiscal year 2023, after the results for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2022 were confirmed. The payout is based on Adtalem adjusted earnings per share and Adtalem adjusted revenue, and as applicable,
institution adjusted operating income and institution revenue measures. MIP measures and goals are typically set by the Compensation
Committee in the first quarter of the year in which the performance is measured, in addition to individual performance.
|
|
MIP Performance Measures
The Compensation Committee determined that Adtalem adjusted earnings
per share and adjusted revenue, along with institution adjusted operating income and revenue, effectively balance top line revenue
growth and bottom-line profitability and results and are the most appropriate short-term metrics to support our business objectives.
|
|
|
In measuring performance, the Compensation Committee may adjust results
for certain unusual, non-recurring or other items to ensure the MIP rewards true operational performance as it is perceived by
investors and as consistently measured. Appendix A details the adjustments made in the last three fiscal years.
In instances where an institution has not demonstrated performance
commensurate with the potential award, the Compensation Committee may exercise negative discretion and reduce MIP payouts for individuals
with oversight over the applicable institution. In the case of acquisitions and dispositions, the Compensation Committee generally
does not include revenue, and corresponding earnings per share or operating income, in its evaluation of achievement against targets
unless such expected revenue, and corresponding earnings per share or operating income, had been factored into the performance
target. Similarly, revenue, and corresponding earnings per-share or operating income performance is adjusted for dispositions during
the year.
In addition to the actual results achieved, the Compensation Committee
also considers individual performance over the course of that fiscal year for each NEO. Individual performance goals reflect functional
results and/or institution performance appropriate for the executive, as well as academic outcomes, organizational strength and
the advancement of Adtalem’s core values. Individual performance goals are designed to drive initiatives that support Adtalem’s
strategy and further align leadership with Adtalem’s student-focused purpose.
50 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
The relative percentages assigned to the measures for each NEO(1)
for fiscal year 2022 are as follows:
| |
Organizational,
Institution and Individual Performance
Measure Allocation |
| |
Adtalem
Adj. Earnings
Per Share | |
Adtalem
Adj. Revenue | |
Institution
Adj. Operating Income | |
Institution
Revenue | |
Individual
Performance |
Stephen W. Beard - CEO | |
45% | |
40% | |
| |
| |
15% |
Stephen W. Beard - COO | |
40% | |
30% | |
| |
| |
30% |
Robert J. Phelan | |
40% | |
30% | |
| |
| |
30% |
Douglas G. Beck | |
40% | |
30% | |
| |
| |
30% |
John W. Danaher | |
20% | |
10% | |
25% | |
15% | |
30% |
Maurice Herrera | |
40% | |
30% | |
| |
| |
30% |
(1) |
Ms. Wardell did not receive an incentive payment for fiscal year 2022 and is therefore excluded from
the table above. |
2022 Performance Goals
Financial goals set for our MIP participants are derived from Adtalem’s
fiscal year operating plans, which are recommended by Adtalem’s executive management team and approved by the Board at the
beginning of each fiscal year. For fiscal year 2022, these plans translated to financial performance goals of $1,532.7 million
of adjusted revenue and $3.63 of adjusted earnings per share.
The table below shows the threshold, target, and maximum goals for
adjusted revenue and adjusted earnings per share under the fiscal year 2022 MIP, the performance achieved, and the resulting payout.
| |
Plan | | |
Actual
Results
(excluding | | |
Performance | |
|
Metric | |
Threshold | | |
Target | | |
Maximum | | |
special
items)(1) | | |
Relative to Plan | |
Payout
% |
Adtalem Adj. Revenue | |
$ | 1,456.1 | | |
$ | 1,532.7 | | |
$ | 1,609.3 | | |
$ | 1,395.7 | | |
91.1% | |
0.0% |
Adtalem Adj. Earnings Per Share | |
$ | 3.27 | | |
$ | 3.63 | | |
$ | 3.99 | | |
$ | 3.05 | | |
83.7% | |
0.0% |
(1) |
See Appendix A for a reconciliation to reported results. |
The fiscal year 2022 adjusted revenue target under the MIP was 69.0%
higher than fiscal year 2021 actual results of $906.9 million, which reflected expected growth from the Walden University acquisition,
as well as expected growth in the Chamberlain and Medical and Veterinary segments. The fiscal year 2022 adjusted earnings per share
target goal under MIP was 57.1% higher than fiscal year 2021 actual results of $2.31, which, again reflected expected growth from
the Walden University acquisition, as well as expected growth in the Chamberlain and Medical and Veterinary segments and cost control
measures across all segments and home office.
Adtalem does not disclose the institution or segment performance goals
utilized in its MIP due to the confidential nature of such information and the competitive harm that could result from its disclosure.
The Compensation Committee considers the organization’s performance goals to represent the best estimate of what the organization
could deliver if management, individually and collectively, were to materially satisfy its goals and objectives for the year. All
goals are designed to be aggressive yet achievable, with the expectation that it would take extraordinary performance on the part
of management to exceed them to the extent necessary to yield maximum incentive payouts under the MIP.
The Compensation Committee approves individual performance goals
and objectives for the CEO at the beginning of each fiscal year. The CEO also works collaboratively with the other NEOs in
developing their respective individual performance goals and in assigning weightings to such goals to place additional
emphasis on tactical priorities. Individual performance goals are factors in determining base salary adjustments, annual cash
incentive compensation and future awards of long-term incentive compensation. Individual performance goals intentionally
include elements that can be rated objectively as well as, to a lesser extent, elements that are of a subjective nature.
Individual performance goals are used to drive stretch performance across a broad range of areas considered critical to our
strategy and purpose. This mix of objective and subjective criteria allows the evaluator — the independent members of
the Board in the case of the CEO, and the CEO with input and approval from the Compensation Committee in the case of the
other NEOs — to assess the individual’s performance against objective
2022 Proxy Statement 51
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
criteria, while utilizing his or her discretion to make adjustments
based on the individual’s perceived contributions and other subjective criteria.
A summary of the primary individual performance goals and objectives
established for each of our NEOs follows:
Stephen
W. Beard
(President and Chief Executive Officer) |
|
● Create shareholder value through Walden University integration,
new operating model and value capture
● Divest Financial Services segment within fiscal year
● Execute workforce solutions strategy to position portfolio
for long-term sustainable growth
● Sustain superior academic outcomes and student success |
Robert
J. Phelan
(Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer) |
|
● Develop program level P&Ls down to pre-home office
EBITDA
● Identify a repeatable measure of internal customer experience
● Drive adoption of EBITDA and ROIC as primary measures
of profitability and prudent capital allocation
● Deliver the revised FY22 Operating Plan
● Improve monthly operating review process for greater focus
on leading indicators of revenue and dynamic resource allocation
● Drive adoption of enterprise operating model
● Redesign annual operating plan process to better align
with enterprise strategy and support dynamic capital allocation
● Develop and deploy a dynamic resource model for in-period
shifting of resource to maximize return
● Develop and reposition team as a strategic finance business
partner, increase breadth of experiences across team, build a deeper bench and hire CAO and FP&A Lead
● Meet or exceed value capture goal for finance group |
Douglas
G. Beck
(Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary) |
|
● Deliver the revised FY22 Operating Plan
● Improve talent, staffing and organizational structure
of the Legal Department
● Establish Legal Department’s baseline Net Promoter
Score for FY22, to be measured for improvement in future years
● Reduce use of outside counsel
● Successfully integrate Walden University into Adtalem’s
Legal Department
● Successfully integrate Walden University into Adtalem’s
Regulatory Affairs Department
● Meet or exceed value capture goal for Legal &
Regulatory |
John
W. Danaher
(President, Medical and Veterinary) |
|
● Achieve and exceed academic targets for 3 institutions
of Med/Vet
● Achieve and exceed financial targets for the 3 institutions
of Med/Vet
● Develop growth strategies for the 3 institutions of Med/Vet
● Achieve meaningful efficiencies in the operations of the
3 institutions of Med/Vet |
52 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Maurice
Herrera
(Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer) |
|
● Build effective high performing team
● Identify a repeatable measure of internal customer experience
● Increase dotcom conversion rate to deliver enrollments
● Grow dotcom traffic share (combination of paid and unpaid)
at higher rate than competitive set
● Deliver the revised FY22 Operating Plan
● Drive adoption of enterprise operating model
● Raise earned media profile and reputation of priority
institutions
● Validate distinct and relevant brand propositions and
visual identities for all brands
● Meet or exceed value capture goal for marketing |
Lisa
W. Wardell
(Former Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) |
|
● Launch a successful integration of Walden University including
achieving year one run rate cost synergies of at least $30 million
● Navigate Biden administration to effectively build awareness
of Adtalem’s (1) social mission; and (2) ability to help solve problems in healthcare and financial services industries
● Continue building high performance team including a successful
chief financial officer addition
● Sustain current levels of performance on academic outcomes
and student success |
Fiscal Year 2022 MIP Decisions
Based on an evaluation of organizational performance relative to MIP
measures set at the beginning of fiscal year 2022, the final MIP awards were partially based on the following financial results,
as adjusted for special items described in Appendix A:
● |
Adtalem achieved 0% payout for the fiscal year 2022 adjusted revenue component; and |
● |
Adtalem achieved 0% payout for the fiscal year 2022 adjusted earnings per share component. |
In addition, a portion of the MIP award for Dr. Danaher was based
on results from the performance of the institutions he oversees. Final MIP award calculations also took into consideration evaluations
of individual performance for each NEO during the fiscal year. Based on all of these applicable factors, the Compensation Committee
approved the following MIP awards to the NEOs(1):
| |
Annual
Target as a Percentage of Base Salary | |
FY2022
Target Award Opportunity | |
FY2022
Actual Award | |
Percent
of Target Paid Based on FY2022 Performance |
Stephen W. Beard(2) | |
80% and 110% | |
$893,592 | |
$ | 258,388 | |
29% |
Robert J. Phelan | |
80% | |
$355,451 | |
$ | 106,635 | |
30% |
Douglas G. Beck | |
70% | |
$360,500 | |
$ | 129,780 | |
36% |
John W. Danaher(3) | |
70% | |
$350,038 | |
$ | 115,513 | |
33% |
Maurice Herrera(4) | |
60% | |
$183,058 | |
$ | 60,409 | |
33% |
(1) |
Ms. Wardell did not receive an incentive payment for fiscal year 2022 and is therefore
excluded from the table above. |
(2) |
Mr. Beard’s target was increased from 80% to 110% in September 2021 when he was appointed
President and Chief Executive Officer and his fiscal year 2022 MIP award was pro-rated accordingly. |
(3) |
Dr. Danaher’s fiscal year 2022 incentive payment was pro-rated based on his hire date
of August 23, 2021. |
(4) |
Mr. Herrera’s fiscal year 2022 incentive payment was pro-rated based on his hire date of October 18, 2021. |
2022 Proxy Statement 53
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Set forth below, as an example of the MIP calculation for NEOs, is
a summary of the calculation of the fiscal year 2022 award for Mr. Beard:
| |
Target
Award Opportunity (Weighting) | |
Target | |
Performance
Achieved (Excluding Special Items) | |
Performance
Relative to Target | |
Payout
as a % of Target Award Opportunity based on Performance Relative to Target | |
Target
Award Opportunity ($ Amount) | |
Actual
Award |
Adtalem Adj. Earnings Per Share | |
45% | |
$ | 3.63 | |
$ | 3.05 | |
83.7% | |
0.0% | |
$ | 361,282 | |
$ | — |
Adtalem Adj. Revenue | |
40% | |
$ | 1,532.7 | |
$ | 1,395.7 | |
91.1% | |
0.0% | |
$ | 321,140 | |
$ | — |
Individual Performance | |
15% | |
| | |
| | |
| |
175.0% | |
$ | 120,427 | |
$ | 210,748 |
Total CEO | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
26.3% | |
$ | 802,849 | |
$ | 210,748 |
Adtalem Adj. Earnings Per Share | |
40% | |
$ | 3.63 | |
$ | 3.05 | |
83.7% | |
0.0% | |
$ | 36,297 | |
$ | — |
Adtalem Adj. Revenue | |
30% | |
$ | 1,532.7 | |
$ | 1,395.7 | |
91.1% | |
0.0% | |
$ | 27,223 | |
$ | — |
Individual Performance | |
30% | |
| | |
| | |
| |
175.0% | |
$ | 27,223 | |
$ | 47,640 |
Total COO | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
52.5% | |
$ | 90,743 | |
$ | 47,640 |
Total | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
28.9% | |
$ | 893,592 | |
$ | 258,388 |
In reviewing Mr. Beard’s performance, the Compensation Committee
evaluated his performance against each of his individual goals and determined a 175% payout for the individual performance component
of his MIP award (which represents 30% of the total MIP opportunity for the period during which he served as COO and 15% of the
total MIP opportunity for the period during which he served as CEO) was warranted and appropriate.
In determining MIP awards for the other NEOs, the Compensation Committee
evaluated the NEOs against their individual goals taking into consideration the following performance highlights:
Robert J. Phelan |
|
Mr. Phelan was instrumental in achieving the revised operating plan for the fiscal year through carefully planned cost saving measures. Mr. Phelan also put in place a new credit facility to support the acquisition of Walden and future operations, executed an accelerated share repurchase program and gained board approval for additional funds for open market share repurchase. |
Douglas G. Beck |
|
Mr. Beck was recognized for successfully resolving key legal cases and completing the integration of talent and processes in support of the new Adtalem operating model. |
John W. Danaher |
|
Dr. Danaher was recognized by the Committee for stabilizing the medical and veterinary institutions which were adversely affected by COVID-19 and achieving first-time residency attainment rates of 96% at AUC and 95% at RUSM.* The Committee also noted that he successfully built a team of thought leaders elevating expertise in medical and veterinary education. |
Maurice Herrera |
|
Mr. Herrera was hired by Adtalem in October 2021. He was recognized for reconstituting marketing as a center of excellence by assembling top talent and elevating the focus to be consumer-centric, outcomes-focused and data-driven. |
Lisa W. Wardell |
|
Ms. Wardell was not eligible for a fiscal year 2022 MIP payout. |
Special Value Capture Incentive Opportunity
In November 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the Value Capture
Incentive Opportunity which is a special bonus program that is designed to reward participants for identifying and executing on
synergies related to the Walden University acquisition. Each of the NEOs, other than Mr. Beard and Ms. Wardell, are participants
in the Value Capture Incentive Opportunity. For executive officers, payouts are tied to achieving pre-established realized levels
of total Value Capture Incentive Opportunity funding equal to 3-5% of synergy cost targets, or $4 to $6 million. The Value Capture
Incentive Opportunity payout for each executive officer, upon achievement of the target level of cost synergies is $200,000, with
one-half of the payout to be paid upon successful achievement in fiscal year 2022 and one-half of the payout to be paid upon the
successful achievement in fiscal year 2023.
*First time residency attainment rate is the percent of students
attaining a 2022-23 residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2021-22 who were active applicants in the
2022 National Resident Matching Program (“NRMP”) match or who attained a residency position outside the NRMP match.
54 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Long-term incentive compensation at Adtalem consists of stock options,
RSUs and PSUs. The Compensation Committee targets the value of long-term incentive compensation for NEOs to represent a substantial
percentage of their total compensation opportunity. These incentives are intended to serve three complementary objectives of our
compensation program:
● |
Align executives’ long-term interests with those of our shareholders; |
● |
Drive achievement of and reward executives for the delivery of long-term business results; and |
● |
Promote long-term retention of key executives who are critical to our operations. |
How the Long-Term Incentive Plan Works
The Compensation Committee granted equity awards to each of the NEOs
(except Mr. Beard and Mr. Herrera) in August 2021 (stock options and RSUs) and November 2021 (PSUs) based on both retrospective
and prospective considerations and organizational and individual considerations. The Compensation Committee granted equity awards
to Mr. Beard in September 2021 (stock options and RSUs) upon his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer and in November
2021 (PSUs). PSU grants were delayed until November 2021 in order to give the leadership team and the Compensation Committee time
to evaluate the impact of the Walden University acquisition on the business and set goals that properly aligned management and
shareholder interests. The Compensation Committee took into account the same seven criteria described in the “Annual Base
Salary Review” section above in determining the amount of these awards. Annual equity awards were delivered through a mix
of stock-based vehicles to provide a reasonable balance to the equity portfolio. All of the NEOs (other than Mr. Beard and Mr.
Herrera) received a mix consisting of stock options (20%); RSUs (30%); and PSUs (25% ROIC/25% FCF per share).
Stock Options: Stock options reward long-term value
creation through increases in stock price. To promote retention, stock option grants vest in equal annual installments over a four-year
period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to the NEO’s continuous service at Adtalem. The Compensation
Committee granted incentive stock options (“ISOs”) with a value of up to the $100,000 Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”)
limitation applicable to each one-year vesting period. To the extent this limitation was met for any NEO, the remaining portion
of the stock option award was issued in the form of non-qualified stock options. The Compensation Committee recognizes that Adtalem
may not receive a tax deduction for ISOs, but weighed this consideration against the tax benefit ISOs provide to employees and
the additional enhancement to Adtalem’s ability to attract and retain executives. The Compensation Committee determined it
was in Adtalem’s best interest to continue utilizing ISOs in the manner described. Beginning with fiscal year 2023, the Compensation
Committee determined that it would no longer grant stock options. The elimination of stock options is intended to simplify the
long-term incentive program and to shift more of the equity mix to performance-based equity awards. With the elimination of stock
options, the equity mix for executive officers beginning with fiscal year 2023 will be 40% RSUs and 60% PSUs.
|
|
Focusing on Long-Term Results
The Compensation Committee believes that long-term equity compensation
is an important retention tool and, therefore, chose to use a four-year ratable vesting schedule for grants of stock options and
RSUs and a three-year cliff vesting schedule for PSUs, to encourage longer-term focus and retention.
|
|
|
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs): RSUs align the interests
of management with those of shareholders and reward long-term value creation. To promote retention, RSUs vest in equal annual installments
over a four-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to the NEO’s continuous service at
Adtalem.
2022 Proxy Statement 55
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Performance Share Units (PSUs): PSUs are designed
to reward strong performance based on two financial indicators, ROIC and FCF per share, to focus executives on profitability and
effective capital allocation. In fiscal year 2022, PSUs granted to the NEOs were split equally among these two components. These
PSUs vest after three years based on ROIC and FCF per share performance, respectively, as compared to the goals outlined in the
following tables:
|
|
ROIC Performance Goals (FY22-24) |
Performance Period |
|
Threshold
(50% Payout) |
|
Target
(100% Payout) |
|
Maximum
(200% Payout) |
3-Year
Goal for Fiscal Year 2022 |
|
9.6% |
|
10.6% |
|
11.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FCF Per Share Performance Goals (FY22-24) |
Performance Period |
|
Threshold
(50% Payout) |
|
Target
(100% Payout) |
|
Maximum
(200% Payout) |
3-Year
Goal for Fiscal Year 2022 |
|
$
5.29 |
|
$
5.88 |
|
$
6.47 |
Similar to goals for the MIP, these goals are based on the multi-year
strategic plan. In some cases, stretch goals are built in to help bridge to anticipated future year targets to ensure we are appropriately
working towards our long-term strategic plan.
Vesting for performance between threshold and target and between
target and maximum is determined by straight-line interpolation. Vesting for the fiscal year 2022 PSU grant will be based on performance
averaged over the three-year period.
Chief Executive Officer’s Fiscal Year
2022 Long-Term Incentive Award
In connection with his appointment as President and Chief Executive
Officer in September 2021, and following negotiations with Mr. Beard of his compensation package, the Compensation Committee recommended,
and the Board granted, two separate equity awards as detailed in the table below. In September 2021, Mr. Beard received a grant
of stock options, with a grant date value of $1,103,560, and RSUs, with a grant date value of $4,416,139, each subject to ratable
vesting over four years. These awards were granted to enhance Mr. Beard’s alignment with shareholders, provide an incentive
for stock price growth and to foster retention. In addition to the grant of stock options and RSUs, in November 2021, Mr. Beard
also received the opportunity to earn up to $2,500,000 in Adtalem Common Stock based on achievement of critical strategic milestones.
25% of Mr. Beard’s award ($625,000) is based on the successful divesture of the financial services business and will fully
vest provided the transaction closes by December 31, 2022. To that end, Adtalem successfully divested the financial services business
on March 10, 2022 which resulted in the vesting of the award’s first tranche described above. Adtalem’s closing stock
price on March 10, 2022 was $24.01, which resulted in an award of 26,031 shares to Mr. Beard.
75% of Mr. Beard’s award ($1,875,000) will be earned upon
the achievement of cost synergy goals related to the Walden University acquisition. The portion of the award based on the achievement
of the cost synergy goals is split equally ($937,500 each) between (1) run rate synergies measured one year from the date of close
of the Walden University acquisition, and (2) total cost synergies for the two-year period following the close of the Walden University
acquisition. If earned, the award is settled in shares of Adtalem common stock, with the number of shares awarded based on Adtalem’s
closing stock price on the date of vesting. With respect to both portions of the award related to the achievement of cost synergy
goals, there is no upside or downside opportunity. The award will only vest if the goals are achieved.
Additional NEO Fiscal Year 2022 Long-Term Incentive
Awards
In addition to the annual equity awards made to Mr. Phelan, Mr. Beck, Dr.
Danaher, and Ms. Wardell, an RSU award was granted to Mr. Phelan in November 2021 in recognition of his appointment as Chief Financial
Officer, effective October 18, 2021, to foster retention and alignment with shareholders. A sign-on RSU award was granted to Dr.
Danaher in August 2021 in connection with his hire as President, Medical and Veterinary on August 23, 2021. A sign-on RSU award
was granted to Mr. Herrera in November 2021 in connection with his hire as Chief Marketing Officer on October 18, 2021. In the
case of the awards granted to Dr. Danaher and Mr. Herrera, the awards were intended to replace, in part, the value of equity awards
forfeited in connection with their termination of employment with their prior employers. The LTI value for Ms. Wardell was decreased
by the Board in consideration of her transition to Executive Chairman.
56 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Fiscal Year 2022 Long-Term Incentive Decisions
For fiscal year 2022, NEOs received the following stock-based
awards:
| |
Stock
Options | |
RSUs | |
PSUs |
| 2022
Long-Term Incentive Grant |
Stephen W. Beard(1) | |
$ | 1,103,560 | |
$ | 4,416,139 | |
$ | 2,500,000 |
| |
$ | 8,019,699 |
Robert J. Phelan(2) | |
$ | 38,089 | |
$ | 557,033 | |
$ | 94,752 |
| |
$ | 689,874 |
Douglas G. Beck | |
$ | 120,070 | |
$ | 180,112 | |
$ | 299,822 |
| |
$ | 600,004 |
John W. Danaher(3) | |
$ | 120,070 | |
$ | 1,480,276 | |
$ | 299,822 |
| |
$ | 1,900,168 |
Maurice Herrera(4) | |
$ | — | |
$ | 999,972 | |
$ | — |
| |
$ | 999,972 |
Lisa W. Wardell(5) | |
$ | 999,739 | |
$ | 1,499,964 | |
$ | 2,500,100 |
| |
$ | 4,999,803 |
| |
(1) | Reflects
the value of awards granted to Mr. Beard in connection with his appointment as President
and Chief Executive Officer on September 8, 2021. The awards consist of stock options
and RSUs granted in September 2021 and PSUs granted in November 2021. |
(2) | Reflects
the value of the annual awards granted to Mr. Phelan in August and November 2021 and
the additional RSU award granted to Mr. Phelan in November 2021 in connection with his
appointment as Chief Financial Officer on October 18, 2021. The November 2021 RSUs will
vest ratably over a four-year period consistent with other RSUs granted to the NEOs. |
(3) | Reflects
the annual awards granted to Dr. Danaher in August and November 2021 and the sign-on
RSU award granted to Dr. Danaher in August 2021 in connection with his hire on August
23, 2021. The sign-on RSUs will vest ratably over a four-year period consistent with
the other RSUs granted to the NEOs. |
(4) | Reflects
the value of Mr. Herrera’s sign-on award granted in RSUs in November 2021 in connection
with his hire on October 18, 2021. The sign-on award will vest ratably over a three-year
period. |
(5) | Reflects the value
of the annual awards granted to Ms. Wardell in connection with her appointment as Executive
Chairman on September 8, 2021. |
Payouts from Fiscal Year 2020 PSU
Awards
PSU awards granted to Mr. Beard and Ms. Wardell in
August 2019 vested in August 2022. The PSU awards were split evenly between ROIC and FCF per share targets over the three-year
performance period. The other NEOs did not receive PSUs for the August 2019 cycle.
For the August 2019
PSUs, the funded result for ROIC was 50.6% and for FCF per share was 90.9%. The tables below show the performance measures and
targets established for the August 2019 PSUs, the performance achieved, and the resulting payout.
|
|
|
|
Performance
Goals |
|
Payout (as
a % of Target) |
Goal |
|
|
|
Threshold (50%
Payout) |
|
Target (100%
Payout) |
|
Maximum (150%
Payout) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROIC |
|
FY20-22
(3-year average) |
|
|
|
50.6% |
FCF
per share |
|
FY20-22
(3-year average) |
|
|
|
90.9% |
2022 Proxy Statement 57
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
COMPENSATION SETTING PROCESS
Role of the Compensation
Committee
The Compensation Committee determines the appropriate level of compensation
for the CEO and other NEOs. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves all components of annual compensation (base salary,
annual cash incentive and long-term incentive) to ensure they align with the principles of Adtalem’s compensation program.
In addition, the Compensation Committee meets periodically to review the design of the overall compensation program, approve performance
targets and review management performance, and it assists in establishing CEO goals and objectives.
Each year, the Compensation Committee recommends CEO compensation
to the independent members of the Board, taking into consideration the CEO’s performance evaluation and advice from the independent
executive compensation consulting firm engaged by the Compensation Committee. In determining the CEO’s long-term incentive
compensation, the Compensation Committee considers Adtalem’s absolute and relative performance, incentive awards to CEOs
at comparable companies, past awards and the CEO’s expected future contributions, as well as other factors it deems appropriate.
The Compensation Committee approves base salary, annual cash
incentive and long-term incentive compensation for Adtalem’s NEOs, except for the CEO whose compensation package is recommended
by the Compensation Committee and approved by the independent members of the Board during executive session.
Role of the Executive Officers and Management
The CEO, in consultation with the Senior Vice President, Chief
Human Resources Officer, provides the Compensation Committee with compensation recommendations for the other NEOs, including recommendations
for annual base salary increases, annual cash incentive awards, and long-term incentive awards. These recommendations are based
on market-competitive compensation data and the CEO’s assessment of each NEO’s performance in the prior year. While
these recommendations are given significant weight, the Compensation Committee retains full discretion when determining compensation.
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves, with any modifications
it deems appropriate, base salary, annual cash incentive awards and long-term incentive awards for Adtalem’s NEOs.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
The Compensation Committee retains ultimate responsibility for
compensation-related decisions. To add objectivity to the review process and inform the Compensation Committee of market trends
and practices, the Compensation Committee engages the services of an independent executive compensation advisory firm. For fiscal
year 2022, the Compensation Committee engaged Meridian as its independent executive compensation consultant.
Meridian reviewed Adtalem’s executive compensation structure
and incentive plan designs and assessed whether the executive compensation program is competitive and supports the Compensation
Committee’s goal to align the interests of executive officers with those of shareholders, students and other stakeholders.
For fiscal year 2022, Meridian’s primary areas of assistance
were:
● |
Gathering information related to current trends and practices in executive compensation, including peer group and broader market survey data; |
● |
Reviewing, analyzing and providing recommendations for Adtalem’s list of peer group companies; |
● |
Benchmarking competitive pay levels for NEOs and other executives; |
● |
Reviewing information developed by management for the Compensation Committee and providing input on such information to the Compensation Committee; |
● |
Attending and participating in all Compensation Committee meetings and most non-employee director executive sessions, as well as briefings with the Compensation Committee chair and management prior to meetings; |
● |
Reviewing with management and the Compensation Committee the materials to be used in Adtalem’s Proxy Statement; and |
● |
Benchmarking the non-employee director compensation program. |
58 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to approve
the independent compensation consultant’s fees and terms of engagement. Thus, the Compensation Committee annually reviews
its relationship with, and assesses the independence of, its independent consultant to ensure executive compensation consulting
independence. The process includes a review of the services the independent consultant provides, the quality of those services,
and fees associated with the services during the fiscal year. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of its independent
consultants pursuant to applicable SEC rules and NYSE listing standards and has concluded that the independent consultants’
work for the Compensation Committee does not raise any conflict of interest.
Executive Compensation
Peer Group
To ensure Adtalem continues to provide total executive compensation
that is fair and competitively positioned in the marketplace, the Compensation Committee reviews the pay level, mix and practices
of peer group companies. The Compensation Committee does not target any specific percentile levels in establishing compensation
levels and opportunities.
While including all large publicly-held, private sector higher
education organizations, Adtalem’s peer group also includes a broader group of organizations in order to provide more comprehensive
compensation data. Adtalem’s expanded peer group includes publicly-held organizations that provide services over an extended
period of time. In consideration of Adtalem’s significant focus on healthcare education, which requires attracting and retaining
seasoned healthcare professionals and executives, the peer group also includes healthcare services companies. Revenue of most of
the peer group organizations is generally between one-half and two times Adtalem’s revenue.
The following peer group was used for fiscal year 2022:
|
|
|
2U Inc. |
Chemed |
K12 |
Amedisys |
Cross Country Healthcare |
Laureate Education |
American Public Education |
Ensign Group |
MEDNAX, Inc. |
AMN Healthcare |
Graham Holdings Company |
Perdoceo Education |
Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC |
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. |
Strategic Education |
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. |
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |
WW International |
Chegg |
John Wiley & Sons |
|
|
|
|
ADDITIONAL EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PRACTICES
Deferred Compensation
Adtalem maintains the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan
that allows certain employees, including the NEOs, to defer up to 50% of salary and 100% of the MIP compensation until termination
of service or certain other specified dates. Adtalem credits matching contributions to participants’ accounts to the extent
they have elected to defer the maximum contributions under Adtalem’s Retirement Plan, which is a 401(k) plan, and their matching
contributions are limited by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) provisions.
The Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan enables the NEOs
and other eligible employees with a certain level of annual compensation to save a portion of their income for retirement on a
scale consistent with other employees not subject to IRS limits.
Adtalem has elected to fund its Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Plan obligations through a rabbi trust. The rabbi trust is subject to creditor claims in the event of an insolvency, but the assets
held in the rabbi trust are not available for general corporate purpose. Participants have an unsecured contractual commitment
by Adtalem to pay the amounts due under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan.
The value of deferred compensation amounts is quantified each
year and this program is periodically reviewed for its competitiveness.
2022 Proxy Statement 59
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Other Benefits
NEOs are eligible to participate in a number of broad-based
benefit programs, which are the same ones offered to most employees at Adtalem, including health, disability and life insurance
programs.
We do not offer a defined benefit pension plan, and, therefore,
our Retirement Plan and the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan are the only retirement savings vehicles for executives.
In general, we do not provide benefits or perquisites to our
NEOs that are not available to other employees, with the exception of personal financial planning services.
Benefits and perquisites make up the smallest portion of each
NEO’s total compensation package. The nature and quantity of perquisites provided by Adtalem did not change materially in
fiscal year 2022 versus 2021, consistent with our philosophy that benefits and perquisites should not represent a meaningful component
of our compensation program. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the benefit and perquisite program to determine if
adjustments are appropriate.
The “All Other Compensation” column of the 2022
Summary Compensation Table shows the amounts of benefit and perquisite compensation we provided for fiscal years 2020, 2021 and
2022 to each of the NEOs.
Employment Agreements
Adtalem has entered into employment agreements with each NEO
that provide for:
● | Initial
annual base salary, subject to annual increases (no decreases except in the case of an across-the-board reduction affecting all
executives equally); |
● | Annual
cash incentive opportunity under the MIP, targeted at a percentage of base salary; |
● | Eligibility
to receive annual equity awards under Adtalem’s equity award plan(s) |
● | Reimbursement
of expenses consistent with Adtalem’s policy in effect at the time; and |
● | Severance
benefits that will be provided upon certain terminations of employment, as further described on page 71 under the caption “2022
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.” |
| |
Employment Agreements
Employment agreements provide NEOs with a guaranteed level
of financial protection upon loss of employment. Adtalem believes that providing for such income continuity facilitates the hiring
of qualified executives and results in greater management stability and lower unwanted management turnover.
The Compensation Committee believes that the employment
agreements provide:
●
Security and incentives that help retain and attract top executives;
●
Greater ability for Adtalem to retain key executives following an
extraordinary corporate transaction; and
●
Benefits to Adtalem including non-competition and non-solicitation
covenants by NEOs.
|
60 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Separation Agreements
Change-in-Control
Adtalem provides benefits to its NEOs upon termination of employment
from Adtalem in specific circumstances. These benefits are in addition to the benefits to which these NEOs would be generally entitled
upon a termination of employment (e.g., vested retirement benefits accrued as of the date of termination, stock-based awards that
are vested as of the date of termination and the right to elect continued health coverage pursuant to COBRA). In addition, as of
November 8, 2017, when our shareholders approved the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2013 (the “2013 Incentive
Plan”), Adtalem’s equity compensation plans, and the award agreements used to implement them, provide for accelerated
vesting of outstanding equity awards in the event of a change-in-control of Adtalem, only in the event (a) Adtalem (or its successor)
ceases to be publicly traded, (b) the successor to Adtalem fails to assume outstanding awards or to issue new awards in replacement
of outstanding awards, or (c) if the participant is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within two years following
the change-in-control.
See “2022 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control”
beginning on page 71 for a detailed description of potential payments and benefits to the NEOs under Adtalem’s compensation
plans and arrangements upon termination of employment or a change of control of Adtalem.
OTHER EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION CONSIDERATIONS
AND POLICIES
Stock Ownership
Guidelines
Stock ownership guidelines have been in place for our directors
and executive officers since 2010 and are intended to align their interests with our shareholders by requiring them to maintain
a significant ownership interest in the company. Each of our non-employee Board members are expected to maintain ownership of Adtalem
Common Stock valued at or equal to five times their annual retainer.
For fiscal year 2022, required ownership levels for executive
officers remained consistent with those put in place in fiscal year 2020 as described in the table below:
|
|
Linking Compensation to Stock Performance
Stock ownership guidelines tie the compensation of the NEOs
to our stock performance, since the increase or decrease in our stock price impacts their personal holdings. Currently, all NEOs
and directors who are no longer subject to a phase-in period have met the minimum ownership requirements.
|
|
|
|
Position |
NEOs |
Number of Shares Equivalent to: |
Chief Executive Officer |
Stephen W. Beard |
5 times base salary |
Executive Chairman |
Lisa W. Wardell |
5 times base salary |
Chief Financial Officer |
Robert J. Phelan |
3 times base salary |
All other executive officers |
Douglas G. Beck,
John W. Danaher
and Maurice Herrera |
1
½ times base salary |
Our directors and executive officers have five years following
their election, date of appointment or promotion to an executive officer position, as the case may be to achieve their stock ownership
level. Additionally, our executive officers and directors have until the later of five years from their appointment or adoption
of the increased guidelines to achieve the new stock ownership levels.
Shares that count toward satisfaction of the guidelines include
Adtalem’s Common Stock directly and/or beneficially owned, Adtalem’s Common Stock held in Adtalem’s Retirement
Plan, Adtalem’s Common Stock held in Adtalem’s Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, and the after-tax value of
unvested RSUs and PSUs and/or vested in-the-money options, provided that these make up no more than 50% of the ownership expectation.
Our stock ownership guidelines are deemed to continue to be
met by an individual who has achieved the required ownership level but then falls below solely due to a decline in Adtalem’s
Common Stock price. Absent extenuating circumstances, executives who have not yet met the guidelines at the end of their five-year
phase-in period are required to retain, until the guidelines are satisfied, 100% of the after-tax shares received from option exercises
or the vesting of RSUs or PSUs.
2022 Proxy Statement 61
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Incentive Compensation
Recoupment Policy
Adtalem has adopted an incentive compensation recoupment policy
that applies to all executive officers. The policy provides that, in addition to any other remedies available to Adtalem (but subject
to applicable law), if the Board or any committee of the Board determines that it is appropriate, Adtalem may recover (in whole
or in part) any incentive payment, commission, equity award or other incentive compensation received by an executive officer of
Adtalem to the extent that such incentive payment, commission, equity award or other incentive compensation is or was paid on the
basis of any financial results that are subsequently restated due to that executive officer’s conduct that is determined
by the independent directors to have been knowingly or intentionally, fraudulent or illegal.
Deductibility of Compensation
Adtalem analyzes the overall expense arising from aggregate
executive compensation, as well as the accounting and tax treatment of such programs. Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows
a tax deduction to publicly traded companies for certain compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid to “covered employees.”
“Covered employees” include the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly
compensated officers. Once an executive officer qualifies as a covered employee, he or she will continue to be treated as a covered
employee indefinitely, even after ceasing to serve as an executive officer or separating from Adtalem. Historically, the company’s
compensation plans were structured so that compensation would be performance-based and deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code.
However, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017 eliminated the performance-based compensation exemption from the
Section 162(m) $1 million per year dollar deduction limit, with an exception for certain “grandfathered agreements”
in effect on November 2, 2017. The company intends to administer outstanding “grandfathered agreements” and plans to
the extent compatible with business needs to preserve potential deductions.
The Compensation Committee views the tax deductibility of executive
compensation as one factor to be considered in the context of its overall compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee reviews
each material element of compensation on a continuing basis and believes that shareholder interests are best served by not restricting
the Compensation Committee’s discretion and flexibility in crafting compensation programs, even though such programs may
result in certain non-deductible compensation expenses. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee has approved and may in the future
approve compensation arrangements for executive officers that are not fully deductible.
Compensation Risk
Analysis
The Compensation Committee, with the assistance of Meridian
as its consultant, conducted an annual assessment of our compensation program to ensure it does not encourage unnecessary or excessive
risk taking that could have an adverse effect on Adtalem.
The risk assessment covered all compensation programs, including
those in which our top executives and NEOs participate.
Through this process, Meridian and the Compensation Committee
have concluded that Adtalem’s compensation programs do not encourage behaviors that could create material risk to the organization.
More specifically, the Compensation Committee concluded that:
● | Adtalem’s compensation programs are well-designed to encourage behaviors aligned with the long-term interests of shareholders. |
● | There is appropriate balance in the executive compensation program structure to mitigate compensation-related risk with fixed
and variable pay, cash and equity, corporate and business unit goals, financial and non-financial goals, and formulas and discretion. |
● | The Compensation Committee has approved policies to mitigate compensation risk, including stock ownership guidelines, insider-trading
prohibitions, hedging and pledging prohibitions, and clawbacks. |
● | Additionally, the Compensation Committee exercises an appropriate level of independent oversight into compensation decisions
and related risk. |
62 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Proposal No. 3 Say-on-pay: Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation
of Our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)
Prohibition on Hedging
and Pledging
Our insider trading policy prohibits employees
and directors from engaging in any transaction that is designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of equity
securities issued by Adtalem. In addition, except as expressly approved by our general counsel, employees and directors may not
hold Adtalem securities in a margin account or pledge Adtalem securities as collateral for a loan. None of our executive officers
or directors have requested approval to hold Adtalem securities in a margin account or to pledge Adtalem securities.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
REPORT
The Compensation Committee of the Board hereby furnishes the
following report to the shareholders of Adtalem in accordance with rules adopted by the SEC. The Compensation Committee has reviewed
and discussed the Compensation Discussion & Analysis of this Proxy Statement with Adtalem’s management and, based
on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion &
Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
This report is submitted on behalf of the members of the Compensation
Committee:
Michael W. Malafronte, Chair
William W. Burke
Lyle Logan
Kenneth J. Phelan
2022
Proxy Statement 63
Table of Contents
Executive
Compensation Tables
2022
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
This
table shows the compensation of each of our NEOs for fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively.
Name
and Principal Position | |
Year | |
Salary
($)(1) | |
Bonus
($)(2) | |
Stock
Awards ($)(3) | |
Option
Awards ($)(4) | |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(5) | |
All
Other Compensation
($)(6) | |
Total
($) |
Stephen
W. Beard(7) President
and Chief Executive Officer | |
2022 | |
828,466 | |
— | |
6,916,139 | |
1,103,560 | |
258,388 | |
97,779 | |
9,204,332 |
|
2021 | |
600,020 | |
— | |
1,033,340 | |
461,377 | |
619,200 | |
87,943 | |
2,801,880 |
|
2020 | |
597,558 | |
— | |
600,084 | |
365,919 | |
562,723 | |
40,534 | |
2,166,818 |
Robert
J. Phelan(8) Senior
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | |
2022 | |
436,615 | |
— | |
651,785 | |
38,089 | |
106,635 | |
67,295 | |
1,300,419 |
|
2021 | |
350,000 | |
60,000 | |
306,842 | |
47,697 | |
242,104 | |
37,493 | |
1,044,136 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Douglas
G. Beck Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | |
2022 | |
512,115 | |
170,000 | |
479,934 | |
120,070 | |
129,780 | |
30,084 | |
1,441,983 |
|
2021 | |
— | |
— | |
1,199,824 | |
— | |
17,490 | |
— | |
1,217,314 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
John
W. Danaher(9)
President, Medical and Veterinary | |
2022 | |
472,500 | |
275,000 | |
1,780,098 | |
120,070 | |
115,513 | |
17,766 | |
2,780,947 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Maurice
Herrera(10) Senior
Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer | |
2022 | |
284,423 | |
475,000 | |
999,972 | |
— | |
60,409 | |
62,087 | |
1,881,891 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Lisa
W. Wardell(11) Former
Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
2022 | |
1,100,000 | |
— | |
4,000,064 | |
999,739 | |
— | |
176,266 | |
6,276,069 |
|
2021 | |
1,100,000 | |
— | |
3,999,793 | |
1,785,580 | |
1,489,813 | |
153,247 | |
8,528,433 |
|
2020 | |
1,100,000 | |
— | |
2,819,481 | |
1,720,074 | |
1,198,082 | |
133,442 | |
6,971,079 |
(1) |
This column shows the salaries
paid by Adtalem to its NEOs in fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020. The following NEOs have elected to defer a portion of their
salaries under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Beard ($144,767 for 2022, $144,477 for 2021, and $9,975 for
2020); Mr. Beck ($14,262 for 2022); Dr. Danaher ($136,750 for 2022); and Ms. Wardell ($214,981 for 2022, $309,132 for 2021,
and $261,230 for 2020). Amounts shown are inclusive of these deferrals. |
(2) |
This column includes (i) the $60,000 sign-on bonus
paid to Mr. Phelan in fiscal year 2021; (ii) the $170,000 sign-on bonus paid to Mr. Beck in fiscal year 2022; (iii) the $275,000
sign-on bonus paid to Dr. Danaher in fiscal year 2022; and (iv) the $475,000 sign-on bonus paid to Mr. Herrera in fiscal year
2022. |
(3) |
This column includes a sign-on grant value of
$500,155 to Mr. Phelan, $1,300,164 to Dr. Danaher, and $999,972 to Mr. Herrera delivered in RSUs in fiscal year 2022 and a
sign-on grant value of $1,199,824 to Mr. Beck delivered in RSUs in fiscal year 2021. The amounts reported in the Stock Awards
column represents the grant date fair value of awards of both RSUs and PSUs, which is an estimated value computed in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used for fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020 calculations can be found at Note 17:
Stock-Based Compensation to our audited financial statements in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended
June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The grant date fair values of the PSUs are based on the probable outcome of the
performance conditions to which the PSUs are subject, and the shares the recipient would receive under such outcome. The 2022
Grants of Plan-Based Awards shows the values of PSU awards, assuming that the highest levels of the performance conditions
are achieved. The grant date fair value of the PSUs is $33.84. The grant date fair value of the PSU awards assuming achievement
of maximum performance would be: Mr. Beard – $2,500,000; Mr. Phelan – $189,504; Mr. Beck – $599,644; Dr.
Danaher – $599,644; and Ms. Wardell – $5,000,200. |
(4) |
The amounts reported in the Options Awards column
represent the grant date fair value, which is an estimated value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions
used for fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020 calculations can be found at Note 17: Stock-Based Compensation to our audited financial
statements in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. |
64 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Executive Compensation
Tables
(5) |
The MIP compensation reported
in this column was earned in fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020 and paid in fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively,
based upon the MIP guidelines. Certain NEOs have elected to defer a portion of their MIP compensation under the Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Plan, specifically: Mr. Beard ($25,839 for 2022, $61,920 for 2021, and $56,272 for 2020); Mr. Beck ($12,978
for 2022); Dr. Danaher ($23,103 for 2022); and Ms. Wardell ($148,981 for 2021 and $119,808 for 2020). Amounts shown are inclusive
of these deferrals. |
(6) |
The amounts indicated in the “all other
compensation” column for 2022 include the following: |
|
● |
Matching contributions credited
under the Retirement Plan for Mr. Beard ($19,084); Mr. Phelan ($19,800); Mr. Beck ($22,762); Dr. Danaher ($11,445); Mr. Herrera
($20,642); and Ms. Wardell ($19,631). |
|
● |
Company contributions credited under the Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Plan for Mr. Beard ($61,153) and Ms. Wardell ($137,989). |
|
● |
Group life insurance premiums paid by Adtalem
for Mr. Beard ($1,242); Mr. Phelan ($1,995); Mr. Beck ($2,322); Dr. Danaher ($2,879); Mr. Herrera ($695); and Ms. Wardell
($2,346). |
|
● |
Personal financial planning services for Mr. Beard
($16,300); Mr. Beck ($5,000); and Ms. Wardell ($16,300). |
|
● |
Monthly stipend of $10,000 per month paid to Mr.
Phelan in his role as Interim Chief Financial Officer ($45,500). |
|
● |
Housing allowances for Mr. Herrera ($40,750). |
|
● |
Medical and vision imputed income for Dr. Danaher
($3,442). |
(7) |
Mr. Beard was appointed President
and Chief Executive Officer on September 8, 2021. |
(8) |
Mr. Phelan was appointed Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer on October 18, 2021. |
(9) |
Dr. Danaher joined Adtalem as President, Medical
and Veterinary on August 23, 2021. |
(10) |
Mr. Herrera joined Adtalem as Senior Vice President
and Chief Marketing Officer on October 18, 2021. |
(11) |
Ms. Wardell was appointed Executive Chairman Board
on September 8, 2021 after serving as Adtalem’s President and Chief Executive Officer. |
Employment Agreements with Chief
Executive Officer and Other Named Executive Officers
Adtalem has entered into employment
agreements with each of its NEOs, which are described on pages 72-73 under the caption “Employment Agreements.”
2022
Proxy Statement 65
Table of Contents
Executive Compensation Tables
2022
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
This table sets forth information
regarding non-equity incentive plan awards, equity incentive plan awards, RSUs and stock options granted to the NEOs in fiscal
year 2022.
| |
Estimated
Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1) | | |
Estimated
Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(5) | | |
All
Other Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of Stock or
Units (#) | | |
All
Other Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)(6) | | |
Exercise
or Base
Price of Option
Awards
($/sh)(7) | | |
Grant
Date Fair
Value of Stock and
Option Awards(8) | |
Grant
Date | |
Threshold
($)(2) | | |
Target
($)(3) | | |
Maximum
($)(4) | | |
Threshold
(#) | | |
Target
(#) | | |
Maximum
(#) | | |
| |
| |
| |
|
Stephen W. Beard | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| 446,796 | | |
| 893,592 | | |
| 1,787,184 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
11/10/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 2,500,000 | (12) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 2,500,000 | |
9/8/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 73,375 | | |
| 37.79 | | |
$ | 1,103,560 | |
9/8/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 116,860 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 4,416,139 | |
Robert J. Phelan(9) | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| 177,726 | | |
| 355,451 | | |
| 710,902 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
11/10/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 1,400 | | |
| 2,800 | | |
| 5,600 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 94,752 | |
8/25/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 2,625 | | |
| 36.46 | | |
$ | 38,089 | |
8/25/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 1,560 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 56,878 | |
11/10/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 14,780 | (9) | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 500,155 | |
Douglas G. Beck | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| 180,250 | | |
| 360,500 | | |
| 721,000 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
11/10/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 4,430 | | |
| 8,860 | | |
| 17,720 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 299,822 | |
8/25/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 8,275 | | |
| 36.46 | | |
$ | 120,070 | |
8/25/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 4,940 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 180,112 | |
John W. Danaher(10) | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| 175,019 | | |
| 350,038 | | |
| 700,076 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
11/10/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 4,430 | | |
| 8,860 | | |
| 17,720 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 299,822 | |
8/25/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 8,275 | | |
| 36.46 | | |
$ | 120,070 | |
8/25/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 4,940 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 180,112 | |
8/25/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 35,660 | (10) | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 1,300,164 | |
Maurice Herrera(11) | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| 91,529 | | |
| 183,058 | | |
| 366,116 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
11/10/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 29,550 | (11) | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 999,972 | |
Lisa W. Wardell | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
11/10/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 36,940 | | |
| 73,880 | | |
| 147,760 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 2,500,100 | |
8/25/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 68,900 | | |
| 36.46 | | |
$ | 999,739 | |
8/25/2021 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 41,140 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 1,499,964 | |
(1) |
Payouts under the MIP were
based on performance in fiscal year 2022. Therefore, the information in the “Threshold,” “Target”
and “Maximum” columns reflect the range of potential payouts when the performance goals were set on November 10,
2021. The amounts actually paid under the MIP for fiscal year 2022 appear in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation”
column of the 2022 Summary Compensation Table. |
(2) |
Pursuant to the MIP, performance below a performance
goal threshold will result in no payment with respect to that performance goal. If a performance goal threshold is met, then
the amount shown in this column represents the minimum incentive payment, 50% of the target. |
(3) |
The amount shown in this column represents the
target incentive payment under the MIP, which is calculated as a set percentage of base salary. |
(4) |
Pursuant to the MIP, the amount shown in this
column represents the maximum incentive payment, 200% of the target. |
66 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Executive Compensation
Tables
(5) |
PSUs were
granted under the 2013 Incentive Plan. The awards consist of 50% with a target based on ROIC over a period of three fiscal
years and 50% with a target based on FCF per share over a period of three fiscal years. PSUs will pay out 0% for below threshold
performance, and between 50% of target payout for threshold performance and 200% of target for achieving maximum performance
or above. Straight-line interpolation will be used to determine achievement between threshold and target. |
(6) |
Stock option awards
on August 25, 2021 and September 8, 2021 were issued as part of the annual incentive award under the 2013 Incentive Plan,
which become exercisable at 25% per year for four years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant and have a
maximum term of ten years. |
(7) |
All options granted
on August 25, 2021 and September 8, 2021 have an exercise price equal to the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the
date of grant. |
(8) |
This column shows
the grant date fair value of stock options and RSUs granted on August 25, 2021 and PSUs (assuming payout at target value)
granted on November 10, 2021 in fiscal year 2022, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, which was $14.51 for stock
options, $36.46 for RSUs, and $33.84 for PSUs. The grant date fair value of Mr. Beard’s stock options and RSUs granted
on September 8, 2021 was $15.04 for stock options and $37.79 for RSUs. Also see Note 17: Stock-Based Compensation to our audited
financial statements in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2022 for an explanation of
the assumptions made by Adtalem in the valuation of stock option awards. |
(9) |
These RSUs were granted in connection with Mr.
Phelan’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer. |
(10) |
These RSUs were granted in connection with Dr.
Danaher’s onboarding package when joining Adtalem to replace awards he forfeited when he resigned from his former employer. |
(11) |
These RSUs were granted in connection with Mr.
Herrera’s onboarding package when joining Adtalem to replace awards he forfeited when he resigned from his former employer. |
(12) |
These PSUs were granted in connection with Mr.
Beard’s appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer. They were issued at a set grant value of $2,500,000 to
be settled in shares based on the stock price on the future vesting date. See “Chief Executive Officer’s Fiscal
2022 Long-Term Incentive Award” on Page 56 for additional information on this award. |
2022
Proxy Statement 67
Table of Contents
Executive Compensation Tables
2022
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
This table sets forth information
for each NEO with respect to stock options, RSUs, and PSUs held by the NEOs as of June 30, 2022.
| |
Option
Awards | |
Stock
Awards |
Name | |
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable
(#) | |
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable
(#) | |
Option
Exercise
Price ($) | |
Option
Expiration Date(1) | |
Number
of Shares or Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested (#)(2) | |
Market
Value of Shares or Units of
Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(3) | |
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or
Other Rights That Have Not Vested
(#)(4) | |
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned
Shares, Units or Other Rights
That Have Not Vested ($)(5) |
Stephen
W. Beard | |
11,606 | |
3,869 | |
49.05 | |
8/22/2028 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
10,775 | |
10,775 | |
43.39 | |
8/28/2029 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
9,431 | |
28,294 | |
32.03 | |
8/26/2030 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
— | |
73,375 | |
37.79 | |
9/8/2031 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
132,411 | |
4,762,824 | |
27,280 | (7) |
2,856,261 |
Robert
J. Phelan | |
975 | |
2,925 | |
32.03 | |
8/26/2030 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
— | |
2,625 | |
36.46 | |
8/25/2031 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
25,957 | |
933,673 | |
4,660 | |
167,620 |
Douglas
G. Beck | |
— | |
8,275 | |
36.46 | |
8/25/2031 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
28,295 | |
1,017,771 | |
8,860 | |
318,694 |
John
W. Danaher | |
— | |
8,275 | |
36.46 | |
8/25/2031 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
40,600 | |
1,460,382 | |
8,860 | |
318,694 |
Maurice
Herrera | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
29,550 | |
1,062,914 | |
— | |
— |
Lisa
W. Wardell | |
335,975 | |
— | |
33.90 | |
8/23/2027 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
50,650 | |
50,650 | |
43.39 | |
8/28/2029 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
36,499 | |
109,501 | |
32.03 | |
8/26/2030 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
— | |
68,900 | |
36.46 | |
8/25/2031 | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
98,800 | |
3,553,836 | |
187,100 | |
6,729,987 |
(1) |
The table below details the
vesting schedule for stock option grants based on the expiration date of the relevant grant. In general, option grants vest
25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, except for Ms. Wardell’s August 23, 2027 expiration
dated grant related to a double grant awarded that vests 50% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the date of
grant. |
|
|
Option
Expiration Dates | |
Grant
Dates | |
| |
Options
Vesting Dates | |
|
8/22/2028 | |
8/22/2018 | |
8/22/2019 | |
8/22/2020 | |
8/22/2021 | |
8/22/2022 |
8/28/2029 | |
8/28/2019 | |
8/28/2020 | |
8/28/2021 | |
8/28/2022 | |
8/28/2023 |
8/26/2030 | |
8/26/2020 | |
8/26/2021 | |
8/26/2022 | |
8/26/2023 | |
8/26/2024 |
8/25/2031 | |
8/25/2021 | |
8/25/2022 | |
8/25/2023 | |
8/25/2024 | |
8/25/2025 |
9/8/2031 | |
9/8/2021 | |
9/8/2022 | |
9/8/2023 | |
9/8/2024 | |
9/8/2025 |
68 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Executive Compensation
Tables
(2) |
The table below details the
vesting schedule for RSUs, which vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, except for Mr. Phelan’s
February 12, 2020 and May 12, 2021 and Mr. Herrera’s November 10, 2021 dated grants. In addition to the annual grant,
Mr. Phelan received a RSU grant on February 12, 2020 as part of an initial sign-on award granted upon his appointment as Chief
Accounting Officer, which vests 33% on each of the first, second, and third anniversaries of the date of grant and a RSU grant
on May 12, 2021 as part of compensation upon his appointment as Interim Chief Financial Officer, which vests 100% on the third
anniversary of the date of grant. Mr. Herrera received a RSU grant on November 10, 2021 as part of an initial sign-on award
granted upon his appointment as Chief Marketing Officer, which vests 33% on each of the first, second, and third anniversaries
of the date of grant. |
|
|
| |
| |
Number
of RSUs Vesting |
Name | |
Grant
Date | |
Year
1 | |
Year
2 | |
Year
3 | |
Year
4 | |
Total |
Stephen
W. Beard | |
8/22/2018 | |
— | |
— | |
— | |
1,148 | |
1,148 |
Stephen
W. Beard | |
8/28/2019 | |
— | |
— | |
1,152 | |
1,153 | |
2,305 |
Stephen
W. Beard | |
8/26/2020 | |
— | |
4,033 | |
4,032 | |
4,033 | |
12,098 |
Stephen
W. Beard | |
9/8/2021 | |
29,215 | |
29,215 | |
29,215 | |
29,215 | |
116,860 |
Robert
J. Phelan | |
2/12/2020 | |
— | |
— | |
2,924 | |
— | |
2,924 |
Robert
J. Phelan | |
8/26/2020 | |
— | |
418 | |
417 | |
418 | |
1,253 |
Robert
J. Phelan | |
5/12/2021 | |
— | |
— | |
5,440 | |
— | |
5,440 |
Robert
J. Phelan | |
8/25/2021 | |
390 | |
390 | |
390 | |
390 | |
1,560 |
Robert
J. Phelan | |
11/10/2021 | |
3,695 | |
3,695 | |
3,695 | |
3,695 | |
14,780 |
Douglas
G. Beck | |
6/14/2021 | |
— | |
7,785 | |
7,785 | |
7,785 | |
23,355 |
Douglas
G. Beck | |
8/25/2021 | |
1,235 | |
1,235 | |
1,235 | |
1,235 | |
4,940 |
John
W. Danaher | |
8/25/2021 | |
10,150 | |
10,150 | |
10,150 | |
10,150 | |
40,600 |
Maurice
Herrera | |
11/10/2021 | |
9,850 | |
9,850 | |
9,850 | |
— | |
29,550 |
Lisa
W. Wardell | |
8/28/2019 | |
— | |
— | |
5,415 | |
5,415 | |
10,830 |
Lisa
W. Wardell | |
8/26/2020 | |
— | |
15,610 | |
15,610 | |
15,610 | |
46,830 |
Lisa
W. Wardell | |
8/25/2021 | |
10,285 | |
10,285 | |
10,285 | |
10,285 | |
41,140 |
(3) |
Represents the value derived
by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock covered by RSUs granted by $35.97 (the closing market price of Adtalem’s
Common Stock on June 30, 2022). |
(4) |
The table below details the vesting schedule for
PSUs. In general, PSUs vest following the third anniversary of their grant date, except for Mr. Beard’s November 10,
2021 dated grants. As part of Mr. Beard’s initial sign-on award granted upon his appointment as President and Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Beard’s November 10, 2021 dated grants included an award with regards to achievement of cost
synergy goals related to the Walden University acquisition, which vests 50% on each of the first and second anniversary of
the date of the Walden University acquisition. |
Name | |
Grant
Date | |
Vesting
Date | |
Number
of PSUs Vesting |
Stephen
W. Beard | |
8/28/2019 | |
8/28/2022 | |
9,220 |
Stephen
W. Beard | |
11/17/2020 | |
8/26/2023 | |
18,060 |
Stephen
W. Beard(1) | |
11/10/2021 | |
8/12/2022 | |
$937,500 |
Stephen
W. Beard(1) | |
11/10/2021 | |
8/12/2023 | |
$937,500 |
Robert
J. Phelan | |
11/17/2020 | |
8/26/2023 | |
1,860 |
Robert
J. Phelan | |
11/10/2021 | |
8/31/2024 | |
2,800 |
Douglas
G. Beck | |
11/10/2021 | |
8/31/2024 | |
8,860 |
John
W. Danaher | |
11/10/2021 | |
8/31/2024 | |
8,860 |
Lisa
W. Wardell | |
8/28/2019 | |
8/28/2022 | |
43,320 |
Lisa
W. Wardell | |
11/17/2020 | |
8/26/2023 | |
69,900 |
Lisa
W. Wardell | |
11/10/2021 | |
8/31/2024 | |
73,880 |
(1) |
These awards were issued at
a set dollar value to be settled in shares based on the stock price on the future vesting date. |
(5) |
Represents
the value derived by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the PSUs by $35.97 (the closing market price
of Adtalem’s Common Stock on June 30, 2022). The value provided assumes a PSU payout at target value. |
2022
Proxy Statement 69
Table of Contents
Executive Compensation Tables
2022 OPTIONS EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
This table provides
information for the NEOs concerning stock options that were exercised and RSUs and PSUs that vested during fiscal year 2022.
|
|
Option
Awards |
|
Stock
Awards |
Name |
|
Number
of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#) |
|
Value
Realized
on Exercise
($)(1) |
|
Number
of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting
(#) |
|
Value
Realized
on Vesting
($)(2) |
Stephen
W. Beard |
|
— |
|
— |
|
37,333 |
|
1,020,219 |
Robert
J. Phelan |
|
— |
|
— |
|
3,340 |
|
84,804 |
Douglas
G. Beck |
|
— |
|
— |
|
7,785 |
|
246,707 |
John
W. Danaher |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
Maurice
Herrera |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
Lisa
W. Wardell |
|
359,907 |
|
13,945,611 |
|
21,025 |
|
778,256 |
(1) |
Value Realized on Exercise. If the exercise was executed as part of a cashless transaction where the shares acquired were immediately sold, this represents the difference between the sales price of the shares acquired and the option exercise price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the options exercised. If the exercise was executed as part of a buy and hold transaction, this represents the difference between the closing market price of the Common Stock for the date of exercise of the option and the option exercise price multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the options held. |
(2) |
Value Realized on
Vesting. For Mr. Beard, this amount represents RSUs originally granted in February 2018 that vested in February 2022 and
RSUs originally granted in August 2018, August 2019, and August 2020 that vested in August 2021. For Mr. Beard, this amount
represents PSUs originally granted in August 2018 that vested in August 2021 and PSUs originally granted in November 2021
that vested in March 2022. For Mr. Phelan, this amount represents RSUs originally granted in February 2020 that vested in
February 2022 and RSUs originally granted in August 2020 that vested in August 2021. For Mr. Beck, this amount represents
RSUs originally granted in June 2021 that vested in June 2022. For Ms. Wardell, this amount represents RSUs originally
granted in August 2019 and August 2020 that vested in August 2021. |
2022
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
This table sets forth
information about activity for NEOs in our Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan during fiscal year 2022.
Name |
|
Executive
Contributions
in Last
Fiscal Year
($)(1) |
|
Registrant
Contributions
in Last
Fiscal Year
($)(2) |
|
Aggregate
Earnings
in Last
Fiscal Year
($)(3) |
|
Aggregate
Balance at
Last Fiscal
Year End
($)(4) |
Stephen W.
Beard |
|
144,767 |
|
61,153 |
|
(35,837) |
|
325,802 |
Robert J.
Phelan |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
Douglas G.
Beck |
|
14,262 |
|
— |
|
(1,152) |
|
13,110 |
John W. Danaher |
|
136,750 |
|
— |
|
(18,604) |
|
118,146 |
Maurice Herrera |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
Lisa W. Wardell |
|
214,981 |
|
137,989 |
|
(258,198) |
|
1,889,255 |
(1) |
Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year. The amount of executive contributions made by each NEO and reported in this column is included in each NEO’s compensation reported on the 2022 Summary Compensation Table, either in the “Salary” or “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column. See footnotes 1 and 5 of the 2022 Summary Compensation Table for specific deferrals made by each NEO. |
(2) |
Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year. The amount of Adtalem contributions made and reported in this column is included in each NEO’s compensation reported on the 2022 Summary Compensation Table in the “All Other Compensation” column. |
(3) |
Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year. These amounts represent the earnings in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for fiscal year 2022. These amounts are not reported in the 2022 Summary Compensation Table. |
70 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Executive Compensation Tables
(4) |
Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End. The aggregate balance as of June 30, 2022 reported in this column for each NEO reflects amounts that either are currently reported or were previously reported as compensation in the 2022 Summary Compensation Table for current or prior years, except for the aggregate earnings on deferred compensation. |
NONQUALIFIED
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
The Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Plan covers directors and selected key employees approved for participation by the Compensation Committee. All of
the NEOs are eligible to participate in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. Under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Plan as it applies to employees, participants may make an advance election to defer up to 50% of salary and up to 100% of MIP
compensation until termination of service with Adtalem or certain other specified dates. Adtalem credits matching contributions
to participants’ accounts under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan to the extent they have elected to defer the
maximum amount under Adtalem’s Retirement Plan, and their matching contributions to the Retirement Plan are limited by applicable
Code provisions. Adtalem may also credit participants’ accounts with discretionary contributions. Participants are fully
vested in their own deferral and matching contributions, plus earnings, and will vest in discretionary contributions, if any,
as determined by the Compensation Committee. Participants may elect to have their Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan accounts
credited with earnings based on various investment choices made available by the Compensation Committee for this purpose. Participants
may elect to have account balances paid in a lump sum or in installments. Distributions are generally made or commence in January
of the year following termination of employment (but not earlier than six months after termination) or January of the year in
which the specified payment date occurs. In the event of death before benefits commence, participants’ accounts will be
paid to their beneficiaries in a lump sum.
2022
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
Adtalem provides benefits
to the NEOs upon termination of employment from Adtalem in specific circumstances. These benefits are in addition to the benefits
to which these NEOs would be generally entitled upon a termination of employment (i.e., vested retirement benefits accrued as
of the date of termination, stock-based awards that are vested as of the date of termination and the right to elect continued
health coverage pursuant to COBRA). In addition, Adtalem’s equity compensation plans and the stock award agreements used
to implement them provide for accelerated vesting of outstanding stock awards in the event of a change-in-control of Adtalem,
only in the event (a) Adtalem (or its successor) ceases to be publicly traded, (b) the successor to Adtalem fails to assume outstanding
awards or to issue new awards in replacement of outstanding awards, or (c) if the participant is terminated without cause or resigns
for good reason within two years following the change-in-control.
2022
Proxy Statement 71
Table of Contents
Executive Compensation
Tables
Employment
Agreements
MR. BEARD
Adtalem entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Beard effective
as of his September 8, 2021 appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement provides, among other
things, that if his employment is terminated by Adtalem without “cause” or by Mr. Beard with “good reason,”
and if he executes a release of claims, he will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of base salary and a prorated
MIP award based on actual performance for the fiscal year and paid in a lump sum at the same time MIP awards are paid to other
employees.
If such termination of employment occurs within 12 months of a “change-in-control,”
and he executes a release of claims, he will be entitled to (i) a lump sum payment equal to two times base salary and the average
of the MIP award paid to him for the prior two fiscal years; and (ii) accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock options.
OTHER NEOs
During 2022, Adtalem
was party to similar employment arrangements with each of the other NEOs: Mr. Phelan, Mr. Beck, Dr. Danaher, Mr. Herrera, and
Ms. Wardell. Ms. Wardell’s employment agreement expired pursuant to its terms on September 7, 2022. These employment agreements
provide, among other things, that if the NEO’s employment with Adtalem is terminated by Adtalem without “cause”
or by the NEO with “good reason”, and the NEO executes a release of claims, then the NEO will be entitled to the following
benefits:
● |
One times the sum of their base salary plus target MIP award, payable in 12 equal monthly payments for Mr. Phelan and Dr. Danaher; one and one-half times the sum of their base salary plus target MIP award, payable in 18 equal monthly payments for Mr. Beck and Mr. Herrera; and the sum of her base salary for the remainder of the employment period payable in one lump sum for Ms. Wardell; |
● |
A pro-rated MIP award (if employed for at least six months in the fiscal year during which termination occurs) based on actual performance for the relevant fiscal year, paid in a lump sum at the time MIP awards are paid to other employees; |
● |
12 months of continued health benefit plan coverage for Mr. Phelan, Dr. Danaher, and Mr. Herrera; 18 months for Mr. Beck; and through the remainder of the employment period for Ms. Wardell, at active employee rates following the termination date; and |
● |
Access to a senior executive level outplacement program for 6 months for Mr. Phelan, Dr. Danaher, and Mr. Herrera and 9 months for Mr. Beck. |
In addition, the employment
arrangements provide that if such termination occurs within 12 months of a “change-in-control”, and the NEO executes
a release of claims, then the NEO will be entitled to the following benefits:
● |
One and one-half times the sum of their base salary plus target MIP award, payable in 18 equal monthly payments for Mr. Phelan, Dr. Danaher, and Mr. Herrera; two times the sum of his base salary plus target MIP award, payable in 24 equal monthly payments for Mr. Beck; and two times the sum of her base salary for the remainder of the employment period payable in one lump sum for Ms. Wardell; |
● |
A pro-rated MIP award (if employed for at least six months in the fiscal year during which termination occurs) based on actual performance for the relevant fiscal year, paid in a lump sum at the time MIP awards are paid to other employees; and for Ms. Wardell the average of her MIP awards for the previous two fiscal years; |
● |
18 months of continued health benefit plan coverage for Mr. Phelan, Dr. Danaher, and Mr. Herrera and 24 months for Mr. Beck at active employee rates following the termination date; and |
● |
Access to a senior executive level outplacement program for 9 months for Mr. Phelan, Dr. Danaher, and Mr. Herrera and 12 months for Mr. Beck. |
For purposes of all
employment agreements:
● |
“cause” means (i) the commission of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act or omission involving misappropriation, dishonesty, fraud, illegal drug use or breach of fiduciary duty, (ii) willful failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the CEO, (iii) the NEO’s gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the performance of the NEO’s duties under the employment agreement, (iv) obtaining any personal profit not fully disclosed to and approved by Adtalem’s Board in connection with |
72 Adtalem
Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Executive Compensation Tables
|
any transaction entered into by, or
on behalf of, Adtalem, or (v) any other material breach of the employment agreement or any other agreement between the NEO
and Adtalem; |
● |
“change-in-control” shall have the meaning set forth in the 2013 Incentive Plan; and |
● |
“good reason” means, without the NEO’s consent, (i) material diminution in title, duties, responsibilities or authority, (ii) reduction of base salary, MIP target or employee benefits except for across-the-board changes for executives at the NEO’s level, (iii) exclusion from executive benefit/compensation plans, (iv) material breach of the employment agreement that Adtalem has not cured within 30 days after the NEO has provided Adtalem notice of the material breach which shall be given within 60 days of the NEO’s knowledge of the occurrence of the material breach, or (v) resignation in compliance with securities, corporate governance or other applicable law (such as the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act) as specifically applicable to the NEO. For Mr. Beard, the definition of “good reason” also includes, without the NEO’s consent, requiring the NEO to relocate to an employment location more than 50 miles from the NEO’s current employment location. |
EQUITY AWARD PLANS
The equity award agreements under which options, RSUs and PSUs are held
by employees, including the NEOs, provide for the immediate vesting of unvested options and RSUs and of PSUs at the target levels
in the event of a change-in-control of Adtalem, only in the event (a) Adtalem (or its successor) ceases to be publicly traded,
(b) the successor to Adtalem fails to assume outstanding awards or to issue new awards in replacement of outstanding awards, or
(c) if the participant is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within two years following the change-in-control.
The provisions of the equity award agreements under which options, RSUs,
and PSUs were granted to employees, including the NEOs, provide the following:
● |
If the participant’s employment is terminated due to death or disability (as defined in the agreement), options will become fully vested and exercisable for the remaining term of the option, RSUs will fully vest, and PSUs will continue to vest in accordance with their terms. |
● |
If the participant’s employment terminates due to mutual agreement, the participant will be credited with one additional year of service for the purpose of determining vesting of options, RSUs, and PSUs. The participant’s options will remain exercisable until the earlier of one year from termination or the expiration of the term of the option. PSUs that vest following a termination will be paid out when paid out to other PSU recipients. |
● |
If the participant’s employment terminates due to retirement, options will continue to vest and be exercisable, and RSUs and PSUs will continue to vest in accordance with their respective terms. Retirement means the participant’s termination without cause after age 55 when the sum of his or her age and full years of service equals or exceeds 65. |
In August 2017, the
Board adopted double-trigger vesting of equity awards as part of the 2013 Incentive Plan. In November 2017, Adtalem’s shareholders
approved the Fourth Amended 2013 Incentive Plan. As a result, vesting of equity awards granted since November 2017 (the “Awards”)
will accelerate upon a change-in-control only in the event Adtalem (or its successor) ceases to be publicly traded, or the successor
to Adtalem fails to assume outstanding Awards or to issue new awards in replacement of outstanding Awards. Under the new double-trigger
vesting rules, newly issued Awards will vest if a participant is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within two
years following a change-in-control. All Awards issued prior to shareholder approval in November 2017 will continue to have a
single-trigger vesting rules as described above.
2022
Proxy Statement 73
Table of Contents
Executive Compensation
Tables
2022
Potential Severance Payments
The tables set forth
below quantify the additional benefits as described above that would be paid to each NEO under the following termination of employment
or change-in-control events, had such an event occurred on June 30, 2022.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
— NO CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
Name: | |
Stephen W. Beard | |
Robert J. Phelan | |
Douglas G. Beck | |
John W. Danaher | |
Maurice Herrera | |
Lisa W. Wardell |
Salary: | |
$ | 900,000 | |
$ | 480,000 | |
$ | 772,500 | |
$ | 585,000 | |
$ | 652,500 | |
$ | 207,945 |
MIP Target Amount: | |
$ | — | |
$ | 355,451 | |
$ | 540,750 | |
$ | 350,038 | |
$ | 274,587 | |
$ | — |
Pro-Rated MIP: | |
$ | 258,388 | |
$ | 106,635 | |
$ | 129,780 | |
$ | 115,513 | |
$ | 60,409 | |
$ | — |
Continued Health Coverage: | |
$ | 19,764 | |
$ | 19,764 | |
$ | 28,836 | |
$ | 19,764 | |
$ | 19,764 | |
$ | 3,736 |
Outplacement Services: | |
$ | — | |
$ | 10,000 | |
$ | 15,000 | |
$ | 10,000 | |
$ | 10,000 | |
$ | — |
TOTAL | |
$ | 1,178,152 | |
$ | 971,850 | |
$ | 1,486,866 | |
$ | 1,080,315 | |
$ | 1,017,260 | |
$ | 211,681 |
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
FOLLOWING A CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
Name: | |
Stephen W. Beard | |
Robert J. Phelan | |
Douglas G. Beck | |
John W. Danaher | |
Maurice Herrera | |
Lisa W. Wardell |
Salary: | |
$ | 1,800,000 | |
$ | 720,000 | |
$ | 1,030,000 | |
$ | 877,500 | |
$ | 652,500 | |
$ | 415,890 |
MIP Target Amount: | |
$ | 438,794 | |
$ | 533,177 | |
$ | 721,000 | |
$ | 525,057 | |
$ | 274,587 | |
$ | — |
Pro-Rated MIP: | |
$ | — | |
$ | 106,635 | |
$ | 129,780 | |
$ | 115,513 | |
$ | 60,409 | |
$ | — |
Continued Health Coverage: | |
$ | — | |
$ | 29,646 | |
$ | 38,448 | |
$ | 29,646 | |
$ | 29,646 | |
$ | — |
Outplacement Services: | |
$ | — | |
$ | 15,000 | |
$ | 20,000 | |
$ | 15,000 | |
$ | 15,000 | |
$ | — |
Value of Vesting of Unvested Stock Options, RSUs, and PSUs(1) | |
| 7,398,920 | |
| 1,112,818 | |
| 1,336,465 | |
| 1,779,076 | |
| 1,062,914 | |
| 10,715,257 |
TOTAL | |
$ | 9,637,714 | |
$ | 2,517,276 | |
$ | 3,275,693 | |
$ | 3,341,792 | |
$ | 2,095,056 | |
$ | 11,131,147 |
(1) |
The value of the unvested stock options is based on the difference between the exercise price and $35.97 (the closing market price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2022). The value of the RSUs and PSUs is based on the closing market price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2022. PSUs vest at the target level. |
CHANGE-IN-CONTROL — NO TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
Name: | |
Stephen
W. Beard | |
Robert
J. Phelan | |
Douglas
G. Beck | |
John
W. Danaher | |
Maurice
Herrera | |
Lisa
W. Wardell |
Value of Vesting of Unvested Stock Options, RSUs, and PSUs(1) | |
$ | 7,398,920 | |
$ | 1,112,818 | |
$ | 1,336,465 | |
$ | 1,779,076 | |
$ | 1,062,914 | |
$ | 10,715,257 |
(1) |
The value of the unvested stock options is based on the difference between the exercise price and $35.97 (the closing market price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2022). The value of RSUs and PSUs is based on the closing market price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2022. PSUs vest at target level. |
74 Adtalem
Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Executive
Compensation Tables
CEO
PAY RATIO
Pursuant to Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are required to disclose the median of the annual total compensation
of all our employees (except our CEO) and the ratio of the annual total compensation of our President and CEO as disclosed in
the 2022 Summary Compensation Table, to the annual total compensation of our median employee.
Both Ms. Wardell and Mr. Beard served as our CEO during the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2022. In accordance with Instruction 10 to Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we have elected to annualize Mr. Beard’s
total compensation for 2022 for purposes of this pay ratio disclosure as Mr. Beard was serving as our CEO on June 26, 2022, the
date we used to identify our median employee. For the CEO pay ratio calculation, we calculated Mr. Beard’s total compensation
according to the same methodology used to calculate total compensation for our CEO in the Summary Compensation Table and annualized
certain elements of his compensation, as appropriate.
For fiscal year 2022, we identified the median employee by comparing
the annual salary rate of pay for all individuals, excluding our CEO, who were employed by Adtalem on June 26, 2022 using information
from our company payroll system. We included all full-time and part-time employees, including adjunct faculty and federal work-study
student workers, but did not include independent contractors, leased workers, and employees acquired through the acquisition of
Walden University which closed in fiscal year 2022. Compensation was annualized for all employees who were hired by us in fiscal
year 2022 but did not work for us for the entire year. No annualization was applied to any adjunct faculty as permitted under
the rules. Fiscal year 2022 annual total compensation for the median employee was calculated in the same manner as reflected in
the 2022 Summary Compensation Table for our CEO.
Based on the methodology described above, we have determined that fiscal
year 2022 annual total compensation of our median employee was $42,016. The annual total compensation of our CEO for fiscal year
2022 was $7,402,353. The ratio of our CEO’s fiscal year 2022 annual total compensation to the fiscal year 2022 annual total
compensation of our median employee is 176:1.
This CEO pay ratio is a reasonable estimate
calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules. The CEO pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to our CEO
pay ratio reported above, because SEC rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio allow companies
to use different methodologies, apply certain exclusions and make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation
practices.
We believe our executive compensation program achieves our compensation
principles, properly aligns the interests of our NEOS and our shareholders and is deserving of shareholder support. For these
reasons, the Board recommends that the shareholders vote in favor of the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Adtalem Global Education
Inc. named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation
tables and any other related disclosures is hereby APPROVED.”
The vote is advisory and not binding on the Company, the Board, or the
Compensation Committee of the Board. However, the Compensation Committee of the Board expects to take into account the outcome
of the vote as it considers our executive compensation program.
|
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the compensation of our named executive officers. |
2022
Proxy Statement 75
Table of Contents
Voting Securities and Principal Holders
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
Adtalem currently maintains two equity compensation
plans: the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005 (the “2005 Incentive Plan”) and the Fourth Amended 2013 Incentive
Plan. Adtalem’s shareholders have approved each of these plans.
The following table summarizes information, as of
June 30, 2022, relating to these equity compensation plans under which Adtalem’s Common Stock is authorized for issuance.
Plan Category |
|
Number of
securities to
be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, awards,
warrants and rights
(a)(1) |
|
Weighted-average
exercise price
of outstanding
options, awards,
warrants and rights
(b) |
|
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))
(c)(2) |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
|
2,316,064 |
|
$35.36 |
|
3,123,978 |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
Total |
|
2,316,064 |
|
$35.36 |
|
3,123,978 |
(1) |
The number shown in column (a) is the number of shares that may be issued upon exercise of outstanding
options and other equity awards granted under the shareholder-approved Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005 (22,107
shares) and the Fourth Amended 2013 Incentive Plan (2,293,957 shares). |
(2) |
The number shown in column (c) is the number of shares that may be issued upon exercise of options or stock appreciation
rights and other equity awards granted in the future under the Fourth Amended 2013 Incentive Plan. All of the shares remaining
available for the grant of future awards of options, warrants, and rights are available under the Fourth Amended 2013 Incentive
Plan. No new awards may be granted under the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS
The table below sets forth the number and percentage
of outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each person known by Adtalem to own beneficially more than 5% of our
Common Stock, in each case as of September 23, 2022, except as otherwise noted.
Name |
|
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership |
|
Percentage
Ownership(1) |
BlackRock, Inc. |
|
7,898,398(2) |
|
17.4% |
FMR LLC |
|
7,464,709(3) |
|
16.4% |
The Vanguard Group |
|
5,187,988(4) |
|
11.4% |
Ariel Investments, LLC |
|
5,029,760(5) |
|
11.1% |
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP |
|
3,698,005(6) |
|
8.1% |
(1) |
The percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 45,395,512 shares of Common Stock outstanding as
of September 23, 2022. |
(2) |
The information shown was provided by BlackRock, Inc. in a Schedule 13G/A it filed with the SEC on January 27, 2022, indicating
its beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2021 of 7,898,398 shares. BlackRock reported that it has sole voting power over
7,744,880 of these shares and sole dispositive power over all of these shares. The address of the principal business office
of BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. |
76 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Voting Securities and Principal Holders
(3) |
The information shown was provided by FMR LLC in a Schedule 13G/A it filed with the SEC on February
9, 2022, indicating its beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2021 of 7,464,709 shares. FMR LLC reported that it has sole
voting power of 1,539,284 of these shares and sole dispositive power over all of these shares. The address of the principal
business office of FMR LLC is 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. |
(4) |
The information shown was provided by The Vanguard Group in a Schedule 13G/A it filed with the SEC on February 9, 2022,
indicating its beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2021 of 5,187,988 shares. The Vanguard Group reported that it did not
have sole voting power over any of these shares, shared voting power over 52,897 of these shares, sole dispositive power over
5,100,668 of these shares and shared dispositive power over 87,320 of these shares. The address of the principal business
office of The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. |
(5) |
The information shown was provided by Ariel Investments, LLC in a Schedule 13G it filed with the SEC on January 10, 2022,
indicating its beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2021 of 5,029,760 shares. Ariel Investments, LLC reported that it has
sole voting power over 4,847,427 of these shares and sole dispositive power over all of these shares. The address of the principal
business office of Ariel Investments, LLC is 200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2900, Chicago, IL 60601. |
(6) |
The information shown was provided by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP in a Schedule 13G/A it filed with the SEC on February
8, 2022, indicating its beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2021 of 3,698,005 shares. Dimensional Fund Advisers reported
that it has sole voting power over 3,620,824 of these shares and sole dispositive power over all of these shares. The address
of the principal business office of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS AND
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below sets forth the number and percentage
of outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by (1) each director of Adtalem, (2) each NEO listed on page 42, and
(3) all directors and executive officers of Adtalem as a group, in each case as of September 23, 2022. Adtalem believes that each
individual named has sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares of Common Stock indicated as beneficially owned
by such person, except as otherwise noted. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner in the table below
is care of Adtalem Global Education Inc. 500 West Monroe Street, Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60661.
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned Excluding
Options, RSUs,
and PSUs(1) |
|
Stock Options Exercisable as
of September 23, 2022 and
RSUs and PSUs Scheduled
to Vest within 60 days of
September 23, 2022(1) |
|
Total Common
Stock Beneficially
Owned |
|
Percentage
Ownership(2) |
Non-Employee Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William W. Burke |
|
10,343 |
|
3,690 |
|
14,033 |
|
* |
Charles DeShazer |
|
500 |
|
3,690 |
|
4,190 |
|
* |
Mayur Gupta |
|
— |
|
3,690 |
|
3,690 |
|
* |
Donna J. Hrinak |
|
8,833 |
|
3,690 |
|
12,523 |
|
* |
Georgette Kiser |
|
8,282 |
|
3,690 |
|
11,972 |
|
* |
Liam Krehbiel(3) |
|
10,000 |
|
— |
|
10,000 |
|
* |
Lyle Logan |
|
25,633 |
|
3,690 |
|
29,323 |
|
* |
Michael W. Malafronte |
|
96,300 |
|
3,690 |
|
99,990 |
|
* |
Sharon L. O’Keefe |
|
4,442 |
|
3,690 |
|
8,132 |
|
* |
Kenneth J. Phelan |
|
9,861 |
|
3,690 |
|
13,551 |
|
* |
Named Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen W. Beard |
|
80,244 |
|
68,842 |
|
284,546 |
|
* |
Robert J. Phelan |
|
4,722 |
|
6,301 |
|
39,530 |
|
* |
Douglas G. Beck |
|
6,443 |
|
2,068 |
|
38,683 |
|
* |
John W. Danaher |
|
7,216 |
|
2,068 |
|
42,086 |
|
* |
Maurice Herrera |
|
— |
|
9,850 |
|
33,930 |
|
* |
Lisa W. Wardell |
|
279,028 |
|
502,175 |
|
781,203 |
|
1.7% |
All directors and executive officers as a group (23 Persons) |
|
562,462 |
|
647,700 |
|
1,504,886 |
|
3.3% |
* |
Represents less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock. |
2022 Proxy Statement 77
Table of Contents
Voting Securities and Principal Holders
(1) |
“Common Stock Beneficially Owned Excluding Options, RSUs, and PSUs” includes stock held
in joint tenancy, stock owned as tenants in common, stock owned or held by spouse or other members of the holder’s household,
and stock in which the holder either has or shares voting and/or investment power, even though the holder disclaims any beneficial
interest in such stock. Options exercisable as of September 23, 2022 and RSUs and PSUs that are scheduled to vest within 60
days after September 23, 2022 are shown separately in the “Stock Options Exercisable as of September 23, 2022 and RSUs
and PSUs Scheduled to Vest within 60 days of September 23, 2022” column. |
(2) |
In accordance with SEC rules, the securities reflected in the “Stock Options Exercisable as of September 23, 2022
and RSUs and PSUs Scheduled to Vest within 60 days of September 23, 2022” column are deemed to be outstanding for purposes
of calculating the percentage of outstanding securities owned by such person but are not deemed to be outstanding for the
purpose of calculating the percentage owned by any other person. The percentages of beneficial ownership set forth below are
calculated as of September 23, 2022 based on outstanding shares of 45,395,512. |
(3) |
Mr. Krehbiel was appointed to the Board effective June 6, 2022. |
78 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Additional Information
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
You may vote shares of Common Stock that you owned
as of September 23, 2022, which is the record date for the Annual Meeting. You may vote the following ways:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BY TELEPHONE
In the United States or Canada, you can vote your shares by calling 1-800-690-6903 |
|
BY INTERNET
You can vote your shares online at www.proxyvote.com |
|
BY MAIL
You can vote by mail by marking, dating and signing your proxy card or voting instruction form and returning it in the
accompanying postage-paid envelope |
|
VIRTUALLY
Attend the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting. com/ATGE2022. |
For telephone and internet voting, you will need the
16-digit control number included on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.
Telephone and internet voting are available through
11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
Attending the Annual Meeting
To join the Annual Meeting, login at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2022.
You will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.
The Annual Meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 9, 2022. Online check-in will be available beginning
at 7:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to allow for shareholders to log in and test the computer audio system. Please allow ample
time for the online check-in process. A replay of the Annual Meeting will also be posted on our website at www.adtalem.com for
at least thirty (30) days after the meeting concludes.
Voting at the Annual Meeting
The way you vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting
will not limit your right to change your vote at the Annual Meeting if you attend virtually and vote by ballot. If you hold shares
in street name and you want to vote at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid legal proxy from the record holder of your
shares at the close of business on the record date indicating that you were a beneficial owner of shares, as well as the number
of shares of which you were the beneficial owner, on the record date, and appointing you as the record holder’s proxy to
vote these shares. You should contact your bank, broker or other intermediary for specific instructions on how to obtain a legal
proxy.
Record Date
You may vote all shares of Common Stock that you owned
as of the close of business on September 23, 2022, which is the record date for the Annual Meeting. On the record date, we had
45,395,512 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each
matter properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
Submitting A Question at the Annual Meeting
You may submit a question before the meeting or during
the meeting via our virtual shareholder meeting website, www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2022. If your question is properly
submitted, we intend to respond to your question during the Annual Meeting. Questions on similar topics will be combined and answered
together.
2022 Proxy Statement 79
Table of Contents
Additional Information
Technical Difficulties During the Annual Meeting
If we experience technical difficulties
during the Annual Meeting (e.g. a temporary or prolonged power outage), our Chairman will determine whether the meeting can
be promptly reconvened (if the technical difficulty is temporary) or whether the meeting will need to be reconvened on a
later date (if the technical difficulty is more prolonged). In any situation, we will promptly notify shareholders of the
decision via www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ ATGE2022.
If you encounter technical difficulties accessing our Annual
Meeting or asking questions during the Annual Meeting, a support line will be available on the login page of the virtual
shareholder meeting website: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2022.
Ownership of Shares
You may own shares of Common Stock in one or more
of the following ways:
● |
Directly in your name as the shareholder of record, including shares purchased through our Colleague
Stock Purchase Plan or RSU awards issued to employees under our long-term incentive plans. |
● |
Indirectly through a broker, bank or other intermediary in “street name.” |
● |
Indirectly through the Adtalem Stock Fund of our Retirement Plan. |
Your shares are registered directly in your name,
you are the holder of record of these shares and we are sending proxy materials directly to you. As the holder of record, you
have the right to give your proxy directly to our tabulating agent. If you hold your shares in street name, your broker, bank,
or other intermediary is sending proxy materials to you and you may direct them how to vote on your behalf by completing the voting
instruction form that accompanies your proxy materials.
Revocation of Proxies
You can revoke your proxy at any time before your
shares are voted at the Annual Meeting if you:
● |
Submit a written revocation to our General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, |
● |
Submit a later-dated proxy or voting instruction form, |
● |
Provide subsequent telephone or Internet voting instructions, or |
● |
Vote virtually at the Annual Meeting. |
If you sign and return your proxy card or voting instruction
form without any voting instructions with respect to a matter, your shares will be voted by the proxy committee appointed by the
Board (and each of them, with full powers of substitution) in accordance with the Board’s recommendation. With respect to
any other matters properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the proxy committee appointed by the Board (and each of them, with
full powers of substitution) will vote in accordance with the Board’s recommendation, or if no recommendation is given,
in their own discretion.
VOTING INFORMATION
Effect of Not Casting Your Vote
If you hold your shares in street name, you will receive
a voting instruction form that lets you instruct your bank, broker, or other nominee how to vote your shares. Under NYSE rules,
brokers are permitted to exercise discretionary voting authority on “routine” matters when voting instructions are
not received from a beneficial owner ten days prior to the shareholder meeting. The only “routine” matter on this
year’s Annual Meeting agenda is Proposal No. 2 (Ratify selection of PwC as independent registered public accounting firm).
If you hold your shares in street name, and you wish
to have your shares voted on all matters in this Proxy Statement, please complete and return your voting instruction form. If
you do not return your voting instruction form, your shares will not be voted on any matters with the exception that your broker
may vote in its discretion on Proposal No. 2. If you are a shareholder of record and you do not cast your vote, your shares will
not be voted on any of the proposals at the Annual Meeting, which will have no effect on the outcome.
80 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Additional Information
If you are the holder of record of your shares, if
you return your proxy to us by any of these means outlined above under the heading “Voting Instructions” without choices
for each proposal, the proxy committee appointed by the Board will vote your shares on the unmarked proposals in the same proportion
as shares for which instructions have been received. Abstentions, directions to withhold authority and broker non-votes (where
a named entity holds shares for a beneficial owner who has not provided voting instructions) will be considered present at the
Annual Meeting for purposes of a quorum.
Quorum and Required Vote
We will have a quorum and will be able to conduct
the business of the Annual Meeting if the holders of a majority of the votes that shareholders are entitled to cast are present
at the Annual Meeting, either virtually or by proxy. For the 2022 Annual Meeting, to elect directors and adopt the other proposals,
the following votes are required under our governing documents and Delaware corporate law:
|
PROPOSAL |
|
VOTE REQUIRED |
|
EFFECT OF ABSTENTION |
|
EFFECT OF BROKER NON-VOTE* |
1 |
Election of directors |
|
Approval of the majority of shares represented at the Annual Meeting |
|
Treated as vote against |
|
No effect on the outcome |
2 |
Ratify selection of PwC as independent registered public accounting firm* |
|
Approval of the majority of shares represented at the Annual Meeting |
|
Treated as vote against |
|
No effect on the outcome |
3 |
Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers** |
|
Approval of the majority of shares represented at the Annual Meeting |
|
Treated as vote against |
|
No effect on the outcome |
* |
A broker non-vote occurs when a broker submits a proxy but does not vote for an item because it is
not a “routine” item and the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. As described
under “Effect of Not Casting Your Vote” above, your broker may vote in its discretion only on Proposal No. 2,
ratify selection of PwC as independent registered public accounting firm. Because brokers are entitled to vote on Proposal
No. 2 without voting instructions from the beneficial owner, there will be no broker non-votes on this proposal. |
** |
Advisory/Non-binding. In accordance with Adtalem’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the shares
represented at the Annual Meeting must be voted “FOR.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, Adtalem will take into account
the weight of investor support for the compensation for its NEOs based on the percentage of shares that are present at the
meeting or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal that have voted “FOR” the
proposal. In evaluating the weight of investor support for the compensation of Adtalem’s NEOs, abstentions will be counted
as shares present at the meeting and will have the effect of a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes will not be counted
as shares entitled to vote on the matter and will have no impact on the vote’s outcome. |
PROXY SOLICITATION
Officers and other employees of Adtalem may solicit
proxies by mail, personal interview, telephone, facsimile, electronic means, or via the Internet without additional compensation.
None of these individuals will receive special compensation for soliciting votes, which will be performed in addition to their
regular duties, and some of them may not necessarily solicit proxies. Adtalem also has made arrangements with brokerage firms,
banks, record holders, and other fiduciaries to forward proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares they hold
on your behalf. Adtalem will reimburse these intermediaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We have hired Innisfree M&A
Incorporated to help us distribute and solicit proxies. Adtalem will pay Innisfree $20,000 plus expenses for these services. Adtalem
will pay the cost of all proxy solicitation.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2023 ANNUAL
MEETING
Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at
the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in reliance on Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received by Adtalem no later
than June 16, 2023, to be eligible for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy for the meeting. Any such proposal also
must meet the other requirements of the rules of the SEC relating to shareholder proposals. Also, under Adtalem’s By-Laws,
other proposals and director nominations by shareholders that are not included in the proxy statement will be considered
2022 Proxy Statement 81
Table of Contents
Additional Information
timely and may be eligible for presentation at that
meeting only if they are received by Adtalem in the form of a written notice, directed to the attention of Adtalem’s General
Counsel and Corporate Secretary, not later than August 11, 2023. The notice must contain the information required by the By-Laws.
AVAILABILITY OF FORM 10-K
A copy of Adtalem’s 2022 Annual Report on Form
10-K (including the financial statements and financial statement schedules), as filed with the SEC, may be obtained without charge
upon written request to the attention of Adtalem’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Adtalem Global Education Inc.,
500 West Monroe Street, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60661. A copy of Adtalem’s Form 10-K and other periodic filings also may
be obtained on Adtalem’s investor relations website at investors.adtalem.com/financials/sec-filing and from the SEC’s
EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.
HOUSEHOLDING
Adtalem delivers only one Notice of Annual Meeting
and Proxy Statement and the 2022 Annual Report to multiple shareholders sharing the same address unless it has received different
instructions from one or more of them. This method of delivery is known as “householding.” Householding reduces the
number of mailings you receive, saves on printing and postage costs and helps the environment. Adtalem will, upon written or oral
request, promptly deliver a separate copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and 2022 Annual Report to a shareholder
at a shared address. If you would like to change your householding election, request that a single copy of this or future proxy
materials be sent to your address, or request a separate copy of this or future proxy materials, you should submit this request
by writing Broadridge Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717 or calling 1-866-540-7095.
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
Under U.S. securities laws, directors, certain officers
and persons holding more than 10% of our common stock must report their initial ownership of our common stock and any changes
in their ownership to the SEC. The SEC has designated specific due dates for these reports and we must identify in this Proxy
Statement those persons who did not file these reports when due. Based solely on our review of copies of the reports filed with
the SEC and the written representations of our directors and executive officers, we believe that all reporting requirements for
fiscal year 2022 were complied with by each person who at any time during the 2022 fiscal year was a director or an executive
officer or held more than 10% of our common stock except for the following: Due to the late receipt of a report, Mr. Logan inadvertently
filed a Form 4 five days late on July 12, 2021 to report the withdrawal of the cash value of phantom shares held under the Company’s
deferred compensation plan.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board is aware of no other matter that will be
presented for action at this Annual Meeting. If any other matter requiring a vote of the shareholders properly comes before the
Annual Meeting, the proxy committee will vote and act according to their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Douglas G. Beck
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary
82 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Appendix A – Summary of Special Items
Excluded for Performance Assessment
The Compensation Committee has the discretion to adjust the financial
inputs used in calculating the target award percentages for the MIP and long-term incentive plans. The Compensation Committee
evaluates potential adjustments using the following framework:
1. |
Align treatment with shareholders’ view
of results; |
2. |
Encourage management to make the best long-term decisions for Adtalem’s
stakeholders; and |
3. |
Remain generally consistent with past practice. |
ROIC, which is used as a performance threshold for PSUs granted in fiscal
years 2020, 2021 and 2022 and is expressed as a percentage, is calculated as Adjusted Net Income divided by the average of the
beginning and ending balances of the summation of Long-term Debt and Shareholders’ Equity.
RECONCILIATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2022 ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED
EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS TO REPORTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
For fiscal year 2022, Adtalem’s calculation of Adjusted Net Income,
which is a performance metric factoring in ROIC and Adjusted Earnings per Share, which is a performance metric factoring in the
determination of MIP payouts, were adjusted from reported Net Income and Earnings per Share for the following special items:
● |
Exclusion of deferred revenue adjustment related
to a revenue purchase accounting adjustment to record Walden University’s deferred revenue at fair value; |
● |
Exclusion of CEO transition costs related to acceleration of stock-based
compensation expense; |
● |
Exclusion of restructuring expense primarily related to plans to
achieve synergies with the Walden University acquisition and real estate consolidations at Medical and Veterinary and Adtalem’s
home office; |
● |
Exclusion of business acquisition and integration expense, which
includes expenses related to the Walden University acquisition; |
● |
Exclusion of Walden University intangible amortization expense
on acquired intangible assets; |
● |
Exclusion of pre-acquisition interest expense, write-off of debt
discount and issuance costs, and gain on extinguishment of debt, which relates to financing arrangements in connection with
the Walden University acquisition and prepayment of debt; |
● |
Exclusion of interest savings from debt prepayments; and |
● |
Exclusion of discontinued operations including the operations of
Financial Services and costs related to DeVry University. |
The following table reconciles these adjustments to the most directly
comparable GAAP information:
| |
in thousands | | |
per share | |
Net income, as reported | |
$ | 317,705 | | |
$ | 6.57 | |
Exclusions: | |
| | | |
| | |
Deferred revenue adjustment (pretax) | |
$ | 8,561 | | |
$ | 0.18 | |
CEO transition costs (pretax) | |
$ | 6,195 | | |
$ | 0.13 | |
Restructuring charges (pretax) | |
$ | 25,628 | | |
$ | 0.53 | |
Business acquisition and integration expense (pretax) | |
$ | 53,198 | | |
$ | 1.09 | |
Walden University intangible amortization expense (pretax) | |
$ | 97,274 | | |
$ | 1.99 | |
Pre-acquisition interest expense,
write-off of debt discount and issuance costs, and gain on extinguishment of debt (pretax) | |
$ | 48,804 | | |
$ | 1.00 | |
Debt prepayment interest savings (pretax) | |
$ | (12,420) | | |
$ | (0.25) | |
Income tax impact of above exclusions | |
$ | (48,489) | | |
$ | (0.99) | |
Discontinued operations (after tax) | |
$ | (347,532) | | |
$ | (7.18) | |
2022 Proxy Statement A-1
Table of Contents
Appendix A – Summary of Special Items Excluded for Performance
Assessment
| |
in thousands |
|
|
per share | |
Net income, as adjusted for determination of MIP payout | |
$ | 148,924 | | |
$ | 3.05 | |
Inclusion of Financial Services | |
$ | 33,070 | | |
| | |
Net income, as adjusted for determination of ROIC | |
$ | 181,994 | | |
| | |
Long-term debt and shareholders’ equity: | |
| | | |
| | |
Fiscal year 2022, as reported | |
$ | 2,364,282 | | |
| | |
Fiscal year 2021, as reported | |
$ | 2,392,070 | | |
| | |
Average for determination of ROIC | |
$ | 2,378,176 | | |
| | |
ROIC | |
| 7.7% | | |
| | |
RECONCILIATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2022 ADJUSTED REVENUE FOR PERFORMANCE
ASSESSMENTS TO REPORTED REVENUE
For fiscal year 2022, Adtalem’s calculation of Adjusted Revenue,
which is a performance metric factoring in the determination of MIP payouts, was adjusted from reported Revenue for the following
special item:
● |
Inclusion of deferred revenue adjustment related
to a revenue purchase accounting adjustment to record Walden University’s deferred revenue at fair value |
|
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Revenue, as reported | |
$ | 1,387,122 | |
Include: Deferred revenue adjustment | |
| 8,561 | |
Revenue, as adjusted | |
$ | 1,395,683 | |
FISCAL YEAR 2022 FCF PER SHARE FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS
For fiscal year 2022, Adtalem’s calculation of Adjusted FCF was
adjusted for the cash impact from special items (as discussed above).
| |
(in
thousands, except per share amounts) | |
Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations | |
$ | 163,825 | |
Capital expenditures | |
$ | (31,054) | |
FCF | |
$ | 132,771 | |
Cash impact from special items | |
$ | 94,473 | |
Cash impact from debt prepayment interest savings | |
$ | (3,607) | |
Inclusion of Financial Services | |
$ | 29,792 | |
FCF, as adjusted for determination of FCF | |
$ | 253,429 | |
Diluted shares | |
| 48,804 | |
FCF per share | |
$ | 5.19 | |
RECONCILIATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2021 ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS
PER SHARE FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS TO REPORTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
For fiscal year 2021, Adtalem’s calculation of Adjusted Net Income,
which is a performance metric factoring in ROIC and Adjusted Earnings per Share, which is a performance metric factoring in the
determination of MIP payouts, were adjusted from reported Net Income and Earnings per Share for the following special items:
● |
Exclusion of restructuring charges primarily
related to Adtalem’s home office and ACAMS real estate consolidations, and a write-down of EduPristine’s assets;
|
● |
Exclusion of business acquisition and integration expense, which
includes expenses related to the Walden University acquisition; |
● |
Exclusion of pre-acquisition interest expense, which relates to
financing arrangements in connection with the Walden University acquisition; and |
● |
Exclusion of discontinued operations including the operations of
Adtalem Brazil, Carrington College, and DeVry University. |
● |
In addition, the amount of pre-acquisition debt was adjusted from
the long-term debt and shareholders’ equity calculation. |
A-2 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Appendix A – Summary of Special Items Excluded for Performance
Assessment
The following table reconciles these adjustments to the most directly
comparable GAAP information:
| |
in thousands | | |
per share |
|
Net income, as reported | |
$ | 76,909 | | |
$ | 1.49 | |
Exclusions: | |
| | | |
| | |
Restructuring charges (pretax) | |
$ | 9,804 | | |
$ | 0.19 | |
Business acquisition and integration expense (pretax) | |
$ | 31,593 | | |
$ | 0.61 | |
Pre-acquisition interest expense (pretax) | |
$ | 26,746 | | |
$ | 0.52 | |
Income tax impact of above exclusions | |
$ | (16,501 | ) | |
$ | (0.32 | ) |
Discontinued operations (after tax) | |
$ | 25,127 | | |
$ | 0.49 | |
Adjusted net income | |
$ | 153,678 | | |
$ | 2.98 | |
Long-term debt and shareholders’ equity: | |
| | | |
| | |
Fiscal year 2021, as reported | |
$ | 2,392,070 | | |
| | |
Exclusion of pre-acquisition debt | |
$ | (800,000 | ) | |
| | |
Fiscal year 2021, as adjusted | |
$ | 1,592,070 | | |
| | |
Fiscal year 2020, as reported | |
$ | 1,604,421 | | |
| | |
Average for determination of ROIC | |
$ | 1,598,246 | | |
| | |
ROIC | |
| 9.6% | | |
| | |
For the fiscal year 2021 ROIC award only, Adtalem’s calculation
of long-term debt and shareholders’ equity was further adjusted for the following items:
● |
Exclusion of the net income impact from special
items (as discussed above); and |
● |
Exclusion of share repurchases. |
The following table reconciles these adjustments to the most directly
comparable GAAP information:
| |
in thousands |
| |
per share | |
Net income, as reported | |
$ | 76,909 | | |
$ | 1.49 | |
Exclusions: | |
| | | |
| | |
Restructuring charges (pretax) | |
$ | 9,804 | | |
$ | 0.19 | |
Business acquisition and integration expense (pretax) | |
$ | 31,593 | | |
$ | 0.61 | |
Pre-acquisition interest expense (pretax) | |
$ | 26,746 | | |
$ | 0.52 | |
Income tax impact of above exclusions | |
$ | (16,501 | ) | |
$ | (0.32 | ) |
Discontinued operations (after tax) | |
$ | 25,127 | | |
$ | 0.49 | |
Adjusted net income | |
$ | 153,678 | | |
$ | 2.98 | |
Long-term debt and shareholders’ equity: | |
| | | |
| | |
Fiscal year 2021, as reported | |
$ | 2,392,070 | | |
| | |
Exclusion of pre-acquisition debt | |
$ | (800,000 | ) | |
| | |
Exclusion of special items | |
$ | 76,769 | | |
| | |
Exclusion of share repurchases | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
| | |
Fiscal year 2021, as adjusted | |
$ | 1,768,839 | | |
| | |
Fiscal year 2020, as reported | |
$ | 1,604,421 | | |
| | |
Average for determination of ROIC | |
$ | 1,686,630 | | |
| | |
ROIC | |
| 9.1% | | |
| | |
2022 Proxy Statement A-3
Table of Contents
Appendix A – Summary of Special Items Excluded for Performance
Assessment
FISCAL YEAR 2021 FCF PER SHARE FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS
For fiscal year 2021, Adtalem’s calculation of Adjusted FCF was
adjusted for the cash impact from special items (as discussed above).
| |
(in thousands, except per share amounts) |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations | |
$ | 223,158 | |
Capital expenditures | |
$ | (48,664 | ) |
FCF | |
$ | 174,494 | |
Cash impact from special items | |
$ | 17,803 | |
FCF, as adjusted for determination of FCF | |
$ | 192,297 | |
Diluted shares | |
| 51,645 | |
FCF per share | |
$ | 3.72 | |
RECONCILIATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2020 ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS
PER SHARE FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS TO REPORTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
For fiscal year 2020, Adtalem’s calculation of Adjusted Net Income,
which is a performance metric factoring in ROIC and Adjusted Earnings per Share, which is a performance metric factoring in the
determination of MIP payouts, were adjusted from reported Net Loss and Loss per Share for the following special items:
● |
Exclusion of restructuring charges primarily
related to the sale of Becker Professional Education’s courses for healthcare students, Adtalem’s home office
and ACAMS real estate consolidations and workforce reductions across the organization, which were not primarily related to
COVID-19; |
● |
Exclusion of a gain related to the sale of Adtalem’s Columbus,
Ohio campus facility; |
● |
Exclusion of a gain on the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge
arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated
purchase price through mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk; |
● |
Exclusion of adjustments to the income tax charges related to implementation
of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; |
● |
Exclusion of a net tax benefit for a former subsidiary investment
loss; |
● |
Exclusion of discontinued operations including the operations of
Adtalem Brazil, Carrington College, and DeVry University; and |
● |
Inclusion of the first three quarter of income for actual performance
of Adtalem Brazil prior to its sale in April 2020 and three months of forecasted income of Adtalem Brazil to annualize Adtalem
Brazil’s results (for ROIC payout only). |
A-4 Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Table of Contents
Appendix A – Summary of Special Items Excluded for Performance
Assessment
The following table reconciles these adjustments to the most directly
comparable GAAP information:
| |
in thousands | | |
per share | |
Net loss, as reported | |
$ | (85,334 | ) | |
$ | (1.58 | ) |
Exclusions: | |
| | | |
| | |
Restructuring charges (pretax) | |
$ | 28,628 | | |
$ | 0.53 | |
Gain from real estate sale (pretax) | |
$ | (4,779 | ) | |
$ | (0.09 | ) |
Gain on derivative (pretax) | |
$ | (110,723 | ) | |
$ | (2.05 | ) |
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 | |
$ | (2,230 | ) | |
$ | (0.04 | ) |
Net tax benefit for a former subsidiary investment loss | |
$ | (25,668 | ) | |
$ | (0.47 | ) |
Income tax impact of above exclusions | |
$ | (5,648 | ) | |
$ | (0.10 | ) |
Discontinued operations (after tax) | |
$ | 329,315 | | |
$ | 6.09 | |
Net income, as adjusted for determination of MIP payout | |
$ | 123,541 | | |
$ | 2.28 | |
Inclusion of Adtalem Brazil | |
$ | 26,341 | | |
| | |
Net income, as adjusted for determination of ROIC | |
$ | 149,882 | | |
| | |
Long-term debt and shareholders’ equity: | |
| | | |
| | |
Fiscal year 2022, as reported | |
$ | 1,604,421 | | |
| | |
Fiscal year 2021, as reported | |
$ | 1,798,530 | | |
| | |
Average for determination of ROIC | |
$ | 1,701,476 | | |
| | |
ROIC | |
| 8.8% | | |
| | |
FISCAL YEAR 2020 FCF PER SHARE FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS
| |
(in thousands, except per share amounts) |
Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations | |
$ | 149,565 |
Capital expenditures | |
$ | (44,137) |
FCF | |
$ | 105,428 |
Inclusion of Adtalem Brazil | |
$ | 34,714 |
FCF, as adjusted for determination of FCF | |
$ | 140,142 |
Diluted shares | |
$ | 54,094 |
FCF per share | |
$ | 2.59 |
We believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors
with useful supplemental information regarding the underlying business trends and performance of Adtalem’s ongoing operations
as seen through the eyes of management and are useful for period-over-period comparisons. We use these supplemental non-GAAP financial
measures internally in our assessment of performance and budgeting process. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should
not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The
following are non-GAAP financial measures used in this Proxy Statement: Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Earnings Per Share, Free Cash
Flow Per Share, and Adjusted Net Income.
2022 Proxy Statement A-5
Table of Contents
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CORPORATE INFORMATION |
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Home Office
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
500 West Monroe Street, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60661
312-651-1400
www.adtalem.com
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Investor Services, L.L.C.
462 South 4th Street Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
312-588-4189
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
One North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Financial Information and Reports
Adtalem routinely
issues press releases and quarterly and annual financial reports. To receive this information please write to us at: Adtalem
Global Education Inc., Investor Relations, 500 West Monroe Street, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60661, call 312-588-4189 or
visit the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.adtalem. com. A copy of Adtalem Global
Education Inc. 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will be furnished to
stockholders without charge (except charges for providing exhibits) upon request to the Company. Analysts and investors
seeking additional information about the Company can contact Investor Relations at 312-588-4189.
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Investor Relations
Chandrika Nigam
Senior Director, Investor Relations
312-681-3209
Annual Meeting
The annual meeting
of shareholders of Adtalem Global Education Inc. will be held entirely online on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern
Standard Time at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2022.
Annual Mailing
Holders of common
stock of record at the close of business on September 23, 2022 are entitled to vote at the meeting. A notice of meeting, proxy
statement and proxy card and/or voting instructions were provided to shareholders with this Annual Report.
Common Stock
Adtalem’s
stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol ATGE.
Corporate Governance
To review the Company’s
corporate governance guidelines, Board committee charters and code of conduct and ethics, please visit the “Organizational
Governance” section on the “About Us” page of our website at www.adtalem.com. |
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Table of Contents
ADTALEM GLOBAL EDUCATION INC.
500 WEST MONROE STREET, SUITE 1300
CHICAGO, IL 60661
VOTE BY INTERNET
Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on November 8, 2022 for shares held directly and by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on November 4, 2022 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2022
You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions.
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on November 8, 2022 for shares held directly and by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on November 4, 2022 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: |
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D90905-P80275 |
KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
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DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY |
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
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ADTALEM GLOBAL EDUCATION INC. |
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The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR all of the nominees listed in Item 1. |
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1. |
Election of Directors |
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Nominees: |
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Against |
Abstain |
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1a. |
Stephen W. Beard |
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1b. |
William W. Burke |
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1c. |
Charles DeShazer |
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1d. |
Mayur Gupta |
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1e. |
Donna J. Hrinak |
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1f. |
Georgette Kiser |
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1g. |
Liam Krehbiel |
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1h. |
Michael W. Malafronte |
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1i. |
Sharon L. O’Keefe |
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1j. |
Kenneth J. Phelan |
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1k. |
Lisa W. Wardell |
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The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: |
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Ratify selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm. |
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3. |
Say-on-pay: Advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. |
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NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
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Please date and sign below exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. Joint owners should all sign. When signing in a representative capacity (such as for an estate, trust, corporation or partnership), please indicate title or capacity. |
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] |
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Table of Contents
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.
ADTALEM GLOBAL EDUCATION INC.
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
November 9, 2022, 8:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Via live webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2022.
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.
The undersigned hereby appoints Douglas G. Beck and Robert J. Phelan as proxies, each with the power to act alone and with full power of substitution and revocation, to represent and vote, as specified on the other side of this Proxy, all shares of Common Stock of Adtalem Global Education Inc. that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, or any adjournment of the meeting. You can virtually attend the meeting online by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATGE2022.
The shares represented by this Proxy will be voted as specified. If no choice is specified, this Proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors.
The proxies are authorized, in their discretion, to vote such shares upon any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED PREPAID ENVELOPE.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)