Skillsoft (NYSE: SKIL), a leading AI-native skills management platform, has appointed Ron Kisling as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. The move marks a pivotal leadership transition as the company enters the next phase of its corporate transformation — one that follows the recently signed sale of its Global Knowledge business and signals a sharpened strategic focus going forward.

Kisling steps into the CFO role succeeding John Frederick, who has retired from the position. To ensure continuity during this critical period of change, Frederick will remain with Skillsoft as an Advisor through September 4, 2026 — a transition arrangement that reflects the board's commitment to stability amid significant structural shifts.

A Career Built on Transformation and Scale

Ron Kisling brings to Skillsoft a distinguished finance career spanning more than 40 years, including 15 years of CFO experience at high-growth technology companies. Most recently, he served as CFO at Fastly and Fitbit, where he led finance organizations through periods of significant expansion and change — experience that directly aligns with the challenges Skillsoft now faces.

Prior to his roles at Fastly and Fitbit, Kisling held Chief Financial Officer positions at a number of notable technology companies, including Nanometrics, PGP Corporation, Saba Software, Inc., and SPL WorldGroup, Inc. This breadth of experience across the technology sector equips him with the strategic acumen and operational discipline needed to guide Skillsoft through its ongoing restructuring and into a more focused, streamlined business model.

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Strategic Context: The Global Knowledge Sale and What Comes Next

Kisling's appointment is deeply tied to Skillsoft's broader strategic pivot. The signing of the Global Knowledge business sale — currently expected to close in the second fiscal quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions — represents a significant divestiture that will reshape the company's portfolio and financial profile. Bringing in an experienced transformation CFO at this juncture signals that Skillsoft is preparing for meaningful operational and structural change.

Skillsoft describes itself as a global leader in skills management for the human + AI era. Its AI-native platform gives organizations a clear view of workforce capability, helps close critical skill gaps, and demonstrates the measurable impact of skills development on business outcomes. As the company narrows its focus following the Global Knowledge divestiture, Kisling's financial stewardship will be central to shaping its leaner, more targeted competitive positioning in the evolving workforce learning and development market.

In terms of compensation, Kisling's package includes a $500,000 annual base salary, a target annual bonus of 75% of salary, a $200,000 cash signing bonus, and equity awards comprising 150,000 restricted stock units — split between time-based and performance-based grants — along with a supplemental 30,000 performance-based RSUs, aligning his incentives directly with shareholder value creation.