WELLTOWER INC
For the period ended May 23, 2024. Filed Apr 12, 2024.
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May 23, 2024 · Filed Apr 12, 2024
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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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Welltower Inc.
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| Kenneth J. BaconChairApril 12, 2024 | Message fromour ChairDear Shareholders:You are cordially invited to attend Welltower’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held at 12:30 P.M. Eastern Time on May 23, 2024, in a virtual format, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WELL2024. Details regarding access to the meeting and the business to be conducted are provided in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.Welltower is very pleased with the strong results we delivered to our shareholders in 2023 as witnessed by significant growth reported across all our businesses. We have continued to allocate capital in a disciplined manner, and have also invested significant intellectual and financial capital in improving the operations of our properties, particularly within our seniors housing portfolio. Our investments in technology and systems are expected to enhance the resident experience while the streamlining of business processes will allow our operators to focus on what they do best – delivering exceptional care to residents. While we are still in the early stages of the implementation of our integrated operating platform, we are encouraged by the results to date. These investments, combined with improved business fundamentals and demographic tailwinds, have solidly positioned us for continued growth. We are excited about the future and will continue to work hard to merit your trust in our vision.On behalf of the Welltower family led by Shankh and his outstanding leadership team, I thank you for your ongoing interest and investment in Welltower Inc. Sincerely,Kenneth J. BaconChair of the Board | |
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| “Welltower is very pleased with the strong results we delivered to our shareholders in 2023 as witnessed by significant growth reported across all our businesses.” | ||
Notice of VirtualAnnual Meetingof Shareholders
12:30 P.M. Eastern Time
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLTOWER INC.:
The 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Welltower Inc. (the “Annual Meeting”) will be held on May 23, 2024 at 12:30 P.M. Eastern Time. The Annual Meeting will be held ina virtual format, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WELL2024, for the purpose of considering and acting upon each item described below and transacting any other business that properly comes before the meeting:
(1)The election of nine director nominees named in the accompanying proxy statement to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified;
(2)The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as Welltower’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024;
(3)The approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the named executive officers;
(4)The approval of an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Welltower to limit the liability of certain officers as permitted by Delaware law; and
(5)The approval of an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Welltower to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock.
The Board of Directors of Welltower unanimously recommends that you vote FOReach nominee named in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2, 3, 4, and 5. Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 28, 2024 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Information relating to the matters to be considered and voted on at the Annual Meeting appears in the accompanying proxy statement.
HOW TO VOTE IN ADVANCE OF THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING
| BY INTERNET | BY PHONE | BY MAIL | |
| Visit www.proxyvote.com | Dial 1-800-690-6903 | Sign, date and returnyour proxy card or voting instruction form | Scan this QR code toview digital versionsof Welltower’s ProxyStatement and 2023 Annual Report |
We have endeavored to provide shareholders attending the Annual Meeting with the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would have at an in-person meeting. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online, vote, and view the list of registered shareholders by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WELL2024. Shareholders of record can access the meeting website using the 16-digit control number included on their proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”). Beneficial owners should review the proxy materials and their voting instruction form or Notice for information on how to vote in advance of, and how to participate in, the Annual Meeting. When accessing our Annual Meeting, please allow ample time for online check-in, which will begin at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time on May 23, 2024.
| IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OFPROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OFSHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON May 23, 2024:The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, the Noticeof Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, andWelltower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2023 are available on the Internet free of charge at www.welltower.com/proxy. | BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSMatthew G. McQueenExecutive Vice President - GeneralCounsel & Corporate SecretaryToledo, OhioApril 12, 2024 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Proxy Statement Summary | 4 |
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| 2023 Business Highlights | 4 |
| Human Capital | 6 |
| Welltower’s Board of Directors | 6 |
| Corporate Governance Highlights | 7 |
| ESG Leadership | 8 |
| Corporate Governance | 10 |
| Role of the Board | 10 |
| Board Functions and Policies | 12 |
| Shareholder Engagement | 17 |
| Proposal 1 – Election of Directors | 18 |
| Summary of Board Skills and Diversity | 19 |
| Director Nominees | 20 |
| Director Compensation | 23 |
| Proposal 2 – Ratification of the Appointment of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 26 |
| Audit Fees | 26 |
| Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures | 28 |
| Audit Committee Report | 28 |
| Proposal 3 – Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers | 29 |
| Executive Compensation | 30 |
| Compensation Discussion and Analysis | 30 |
| Executive Officers | 31 |
| Executive Summary | 31 |
| Who Makes Compensation Decisions? | 34 |
| Investor Outreach and Compensation Program Changes | 35 |
| Compensation Peer Group | 37 |
| Compensation Elements and Results | 38 |
| Other Compensation Information | 53 |
| Compensation Committee Report | 54 |
| Executive Compensation Tables | 55 |
| Summary Compensation Table | 55 |
| 2023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table | 56 |
| 2023 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table | 57 |
| 2023 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table | 59 |
| Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Corporate Control | 59 |
| Risk Management and Compensation | 63 |
| Proposal 4 – Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Welltower to Limit the Liability of Certain Officers as Permitted by Delaware Law | 64 |
| Proposal 5 – Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Welltower to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock | 66 |
| Security Ownership of Directors and Management and Certain Beneficial Owners | 68 |
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| General Information | 71 |
| Pay Versus Performance | 74 |
| Pay Ratio | 77 |
| Equity Compensation Plan Information | 78 |
| Other Matters | 78 |
| Appendix A - Non-GAAP Financial Measures | 79 |
| FREQUENTLY REFERENCEDINFORMATION | |
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| Board and Governance Highlights | 10 |
| Director and Committee Membership | 11 |
| Nomination Process for Board Election | 13 |
| Key Risk Oversight Responsibilities of the Board and its Committees | 15 |
| Summary of Board Skills and Diversity | 19 |
| Director Nominees | 20 |
| Director Compensation | 23 |
| Director Equity Ownership Guidelines | 25 |
| Investor Outreach and Compensation Program Changes | 35 |
| Compensation Peer Group | 37 |
In this Proxy Statement, the terms “Welltower,” “we,” and “our” refer to Welltower Inc. This Proxy Statement includes website addresses and references to additional materials found on those websites. These websites and materials are not incorporated into this Proxy Statement by reference.
This document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our environmental and social goals, commitments, and strategies. These statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including due to the risks and uncertainties that are discussed in our most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.
The approximate date on which these materials will be first made available or sent to shareholders is April 12, 2024.
| WELLTOWER • 2024 Proxy Statement | 3 |
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The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.