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Dennis Durkin resigned from Smartsheet’s board on August 21, 2022, less than three weeks after joining. Smartsheet’s SEC filing gave “personal reasons” as the reason and said his departure was not due to a disagreement with the company or board. The filing did not explain those personal reasons. Employee concerns about his appointment were reported in the days before his resignation, but the official record does not say the backlash caused it.
What happened, and what reason did Smartsheet give?
Smartsheet appointed Durkin to its board and Audit Committee effective August 3, 2022. On August 21, he told the board he intended to resign, effective that day. Smartsheet disclosed the resignation in a Form 8-K filed August 22. The filing says he cited personal reasons and states: “Mr. Durkin’s resignation is not due to any disagreement with the Company or the Board on any matters relating to the Company’s operations, policies, or practices.” The company did not identify the personal reasons. Smartsheet’s August 3 filing and August 22 filing establish the appointment and departure dates and the stated reason.
News coverage reported that the appointment drew employee concern and frustration, including in internal forums and calls and among members of Smartsheet’s Women’s Employee Resource Group. Employees questioned the company’s commitment to a safe and equitable workplace given Durkin’s former senior role at Activision Blizzard. That reaction is relevant context, but neither the SEC filing nor Smartsheet’s public statement identifies it as the reason for his resignation. GeekWire’s August 22, 2022 report describes the employee response.
Why did the appointment concern employees?
Durkin had held senior finance and operating roles at Activision Blizzard during a period later associated with workplace allegations and legal proceedings. Smartsheet’s August 3 filing says he retired from Activision Blizzard in May 2021. He was CFO from March 2012 to May 2017 and again from January 2019 to May 2021; between those stints, he served as chief corporate officer from May 2017 to January 2019. Before joining Activision Blizzard, he held Microsoft leadership roles from 1999 to 2012, most recently as corporate vice president and chief operating and financial officer of Interactive Entertainment. The filing documents his career, not any finding of personal wrongdoing.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallGeekWire also reported scrutiny of the selection process because Durkin and Smartsheet CEO Mark Mader both attended Dartmouth and played football there. The article attributed to a source the account that they had not been personal friends and that a board search committee brought Durkin forward. Those details come from the reporting, not the SEC filing.
Smartsheet acknowledged that its process could improve. In a statement reproduced by GeekWire, the company said: “Our board conducted a robust recruitment and vetting process for the skills and experience we needed to add to our board. In listening to our employees, it’s clear we can improve this process.” It also said it was working to address gaps and that employee safety and wellbeing were foundational.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do the Activision Blizzard legal outcomes establish?
The employment-related proceedings were separate matters involving Activision Blizzard. Their allegations and settlements should not be treated as a personal court finding against Durkin.
Quick Recap
| Matter | What it concerned | Outcome and limit |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), 2022 | The EEOC sued over alleged sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and retaliation. | A federal court approved an $18 million consent decree in March 2022. This establishes the lawsuit and its resolution, not personal liability by Durkin. EEOC announcement, March 30, 2022. |
| California Civil Rights Department (CRD), 2023 | The state agency announced a settlement with Activision Blizzard. | The CRD announced an approximately $54 million settlement in December 2023. GeekWire later added an editor’s note describing the resulting consent decree as stating that no court or investigation substantiated allegations that senior executives ignored, condoned, or tolerated systemic harassment, retaliation, or discrimination. Neither the settlement announcement nor that note establishes a personal finding against Durkin. CRD settlement release, December 15, 2023; GeekWire report and later editor’s note. |
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