Executive Change

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549   FORM 8-K   CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 29, 2025     STEPAN COMPANY (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)     Delaware 1-4462 36-1823834 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)           1101 Skokie Boulevard Suite 500   Northbrook , Illinois   60062 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)   Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 847 446-7500     (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)   Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $1 par value   SCL   The New York Stock Exchange Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐   Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. On January 29, 2025, Stepan Company (the "Company") announced that David G. Kabbes, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, will retire from the Company effective March 14, 2025. Mr. Kabbes will continue in his current day-to-day responsibilities until then, and following his retirement will provide transition support for at least three months following his retirement. The Company has commenced an internal and external search for Mr. Kabbes’s successor. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.       STEPAN COMPANY         Date: January 29, 2025 By: /s/ Sharon N. Purnell       Sharon N. Purnell Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer