Company: SNPS
Filing Date: 2025-02-14
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000883241-25-000008
Chunk: 21

Company: SYNOPSYS INC
Filing Date: 2025-02-14
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 21
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 Director since February 2017. Effective upon the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, John G. Schwarz will succeed Mr. Vallee as the Lead Independent Director.

#### Separation of Chair and CEO Positions
Our Board of Directors regularly reviews its leadership structure to evaluate whether the structure remains in the best interest of Synopsys and its stockholders. In August 2023, Dr. de Geus announced his decision to step down from the role of Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2024. Our Board asked Dr. de Geus to remain on the Board in the role of Executive Chair to, among other things, continue to support the leadership transition following Mr. Ghazi's appointment as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Our Board believes that Dr. de Geus continuing to serve on our Board as Executive Chair enhances the overall functioning of our Board and allows our Board to better execute its role in overseeing Synopsys’ business strategy. Dr. de Geus co-founded Synopsys, helping it grow from a disruptive start- up to a global leader in EDA, design IP and software security. Through decades of experience and growth, Dr. de Geus has gained deep institutional knowledge of Synopsys and its culture and has established himself as a pioneer within the EDA industry. As Executive Chair, Dr. de Geus can continue to leverage his longstanding relationships to streamline Board and management communications and focus our Board’s attention on, among other things, risk management and the most critical strategic matters.

#### 2025 Proxy Statement29
| Corporate Governance |

Executive Chair, Lead Independent Director and CEO Duties

A summary of the duties of our Executive Chair, Lead Independent Director, and President, Chief Executive Officer and Director is provided below.

| Executive Chair                                                                                      |     | Lead Independent Director                                                                                      |     | President, CEO and Director                                                                                                                                         |
| Dr. Aart de Geus                                                                                     |     | John G. Schwarz(1)                                                                                             |     | Sassine Ghazi                                                                                                                                                       |
| •Establish agenda for regular Board meetings with the Lead Independent Director and CEO.             
 •Review and advise on schedule of regular Board meetings with the Lead Independent Director and CEO. 
 •Serve as chair of regular Board meetings.                                                           
 •Guide discussions at Board and Committee meetings.                                                  
 •Communicate with directors on key issues outside of Board meetings.                                 
 •Advise and support the CEO and management on Synopsys' long-term strategy.                          
 •Maintain key strategic relationships and stakeholder communications