Velarion · Company Intelligence
Compensation Brief
Fiscal year 2024 · Filings through 2025-10-24

MeridianLink (MLNK)

CEO Nicolaas Vlok was paid $13,371,744 in fiscal year 2024, ↑ up 49.9% from fiscal year 2023 (SEC filing 0001834494-25-000034 ↗): executive and director compensation, incentive-plan design, equity activity, and governance — every figure in this brief is traceable to its exact location in the company’s SEC filing — the document, the section, the page, and the table, linked directly.

$21,018,260
Laurence Katz total, FY2024
President — highest-paid officer; CEO Nicolaas Vlok: $13,371,744
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CEO (Nicolaas Vlok) pay percentile vs peers
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CEO-to-median pay ratio
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Say-on-pay support, latest vote

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Sample answer — “What is the CEO’s total compensation?”
- Nicolaas Vlok (Chief Executive Officer), FY2024 total compensation $13,371,744 (base salary $600,000) [exec_comp, SEC accession 0001834494-25-000034, filed 2025-04-23]

Answered within 24 hours, every figure cited to its SEC filing. If our database cannot answer your question, you are refunded automatically.

01

Summary Compensation Table — fiscal year 2024

Named executive officerSalaryBonusStock awardsOption awardsNon-equity incentivePension / NQDCAll otherTotal
Laurence Katz$412,500$250,000$20,032,365$0$319,395$0$4,000$21,018,260
President
Nicolaas Vlok600,000012,296,4530471,29104,00013,371,744
Chief Executive Officer
Elias Olmeta164,42307,553,2790115,13403,6547,836,490
Chief Financial Officer

A dash means the company reported no figure in that column; 0 means it reported zero. Figures are as printed in the filing, without adjustment.

Three-year trend — total compensation per named executive

Named executive officerFY2024 totalFY2023 totalFY2022 totalΔ FY2023→2024
Laurence Katz$21,018,260———
Nicolaas Vlok13,371,7448,922,0057,308,983↑ +4,449,739
Elias Olmeta7,836,490———

Prior-year totals as disclosed in the corresponding proxy; deltas are computed values with the derivation shown in the register.

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Companies that benchmark against MLNK
18 companies name MLNK as a compensation peer

Each company listed discloses MLNK in its own benchmarking peer group, as disclosed in each company's most recent proxy statement within the last two proxy seasons. Two companies are therefore absent by design: one that named MLNK in an earlier year and no longer does, and one whose own most recent disclosure is older than the last two seasons.

01c

Board of directors

One page per director: the seat, the committees and the fee table, read for one person at a time.

DirectorRoleFY2024 total
A.J. RohdeDirector$244,985
Duston WilliamsIndependent Director$259,985
Mark SachlebenIndependent Director$264,985
Reema PoddarIndependent Director$257,485
Yael ZhengIndependent Director$254,985
02

Equity transactions since the proxy statement was filed

Every insider equity transaction reported on Form 4 after the 2024 proxy statement — acquisitions, dispositions, exercises, and withholdings — and therefore not reflected in any table in that document.

InsiderRoleTransaction dateCodeSharesPriceValueSecuritySource
Nicolaas VlokDirector2025-05-12A150,000$0$0CommonForm 4 ↗
Reema PoddarDirector2025-06-05A11,86200CommonForm 4 ↗
Yael ZhengDirector2025-06-05A11,86200CommonForm 4 ↗
George JaberDirector2025-06-05A11,86200CommonForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-06-05A11,86200CommonForm 4 ↗
A.J. RohdeDirector2025-06-05A11,86200CommonForm 4 ↗
Mark SachlebenDirector2025-06-05A11,86200CommonForm 4 ↗
Duston WilliamsDirector2025-06-05A11,86200CommonForm 4 ↗
Nicolaas VlokDirector2025-07-01D34,31616556,949CommonForm 4 ↗
Laurence E. KatzDirector2025-07-01D46,94816761,966CommonForm 4 ↗
Elias OlmetaChief Financial Officer2025-07-01D3,2031651,985CommonForm 4 ↗
Elias OlmetaChief Financial Officer2025-08-26D27,70120550,696CommonForm 4 ↗
Elias OlmetaChief Financial Officer2025-10-01D13,36620266,384CommonForm 4 ↗
Laurence E. KatzDirector2025-10-01A62,77000CommonForm 4 ↗
Nicolaas VlokDirector2025-10-01D107,777202,147,996CommonForm 4 ↗
Laurence E. KatzDirector2025-10-01D49,02120976,989CommonForm 4 ↗
Nicolaas VlokDirector2025-10-24D213,46200Derivative, Class A CommonForm 4 ↗
Timothy NguyenGreater-than-10% holder2025-10-24D814,526——CommonForm 4 ↗
Nicolaas VlokDirector2025-10-24D1,035,477——CommonForm 4 ↗
Nicolaas VlokDirector2025-10-24D100,000——CommonForm 4 ↗
Laurence E. KatzDirector2025-10-24D1,251,172——CommonForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-10-24D972,368——CommonForm 4 ↗
Yael ZhengDirector2025-10-24D54,607——CommonForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-10-24D89,560——Common, indirectForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-10-24D25,967——Common, indirectForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-10-24D10,986——Common, indirectForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-10-24D36,280——Common, indirectForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-10-24D23,592——CommonForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-10-24D343,785——CommonForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-10-24D41,451——CommonForm 4 ↗
Elias OlmetaChief Financial Officer2025-10-24D499,237——CommonForm 4 ↗
Reema PoddarDirector2025-10-24D52,631——CommonForm 4 ↗
A.J. RohdeDirector2025-10-24D52,048——CommonForm 4 ↗
Duston WilliamsDirector2025-10-24D49,266——CommonForm 4 ↗
Nicolaas VlokDirector2025-10-24D189,69700Derivative, Class A CommonForm 4 ↗
Nicolaas VlokDirector2025-10-24D29,810——CommonForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-10-24D24,500——CommonForm 4 ↗
George JaberDirector2025-10-24D41,323——CommonForm 4 ↗
Timothy NguyenGreater-than-10% holder2025-10-24D8,612,415——CommonForm 4 ↗
Timothy NguyenGreater-than-10% holder2025-10-24D2,000,000——CommonForm 4 ↗
Edward H. McDermottDirector2025-10-24D24,970——Common, indirectForm 4 ↗
Mark SachlebenDirector2025-10-24D51,121——CommonForm 4 ↗
Nicolaas VlokDirector2025-10-24D1,835,32300Derivative, Class A CommonForm 4 ↗

Transaction codes per Form 4: A acquisition · S open-market sale · F tax withholding · M option exercise · G gift. Value = shares × price as reported. Dividend-equivalent and fractional-share accrual rows (derivative Class A, under $10,000 and under 2,000 shares) are aggregated per date; every row appears in full below.

03

Grants of plan-based awards — fiscal year 2024

ExecutiveAwardGrant dateThresholdTargetGrantedMaximumGrant-date fair value
Nicolaas VlokOTHER—————$7,963,045
Laurence KatzRSU—————20,000,000
Elias OlmetaRSU—————7,500,000
Sean BlitchokOTHER—————4,269,240
Chris MaloofOTHER—————3,622,377
03b

Vehicle mix — grant-date fair value by award type

Named executive officerTime-vested (RSU)Performance-vested (PSU)Options / SARs% performance-vested
Laurence Katz$20,000,000$0$00.0%
Elias Olmeta7,500,000000.0%

% performance-vested = PSU grant-date fair value ÷ (RSU + PSU + Options), a computed value with the derivation shown in the register.

04

Outstanding equity awards at fiscal year-end 2024

ExecutiveAwardShares unvestedExercise priceMarket value unvested
Nicolaas VlokRSU16,008—$330,565
Nicolaas VlokRSU96,155—1,985,601
Laurence KatzRSU876,954—18,109,100
Elias OlmetaRSU333,037—6,877,214
Nicolaas VlokRSU296,544—6,123,634
Nicolaas VlokRSU295,013—6,092,018
Nicolaas VlokRSU234,061—4,833,360
Nicolaas VlokOption71,13616.61—
Nicolaas VlokOption40,02326—
05

Incentive-plan design — the Compensation Discussion & Analysis

The company targets a general competitive position based on independent third-party benchmark analytics to inform the mix of base salary, annual incentives, and long-term incentives, aiming to motivate employees to achieve short- and long-term results in the best interests of stockholders.

CEO STI target (% of salary)85%
CEO LTI target (% of salary)—
Independent consultantCompensia and Korn Ferry
Clawback policytrue
Anti-hedgingtrue
Anti-pledgingtrue
06

Say-on-pay — recent advisory votes

Meeting yearMeeting dateForAgainstAbstainSupportOutcome
20252025-06-05—————
20242024-06-06—————
20232023-06-08—————
20222022-06-09—————

Rows are labeled by annual-meeting year, with the meeting date beside each; the vote held in a given year acts on the prior fiscal year's compensation.

Say-on-pay — history, company's computation

Meeting yearMeeting dateApproval — company's computation
20252025-06-05—a
20242024-06-06—b
20232023-06-08—c

a. Voting standard not stated in the filing.

b. Voting standard not stated in the filing.

c. Voting standard not stated in the filing.

Approval percentages are the company's own reported computations under its own stated standard, not recomputed by Velarion. Where a company does not state a standard, none is assumed.

08

Director compensation — fiscal year 2024

DirectorCash feesStock awardsOption awardsNon-equity incentiveAll otherTotal
George JaberNot independent · Cybersecurity · Partial-year service · Newly elected$35,728$549,978$0—$0$585,706
Edward H. McDermottIndependent · Board Chair · Audit · Nominating and Corporate Governance · Compensation · Chair of the Board (Chair) · Partial-year service91,909199,9850—0291,894
Mark SachlebenIndependent · Audit · Compensation (Chair)65,000199,9850—0264,985
Duston WilliamsIndependent · Audit (Chair)60,000199,9850—0259,985
Reema PoddarIndependent · Compensation · Cybersecurity (Chair)57,500199,9850—0257,485
Yael ZhengIndependent · Cybersecurity · Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair)55,000199,9850—0254,985
A.J. RohdeIndependent · Nominating and Corporate Governance45,000199,9850—0244,985
Cody CowanIndependent · Departed during FY · Partial-year service9,27200—09,272
Nicolaas VlokEmployee director—————0
Timothy NguyenEmployee director · Departed during FY—————0
Laurence E. KatzEmployee director · Partial-year service · Newly elected—————0
09

Board fee structure and ownership guideline

Annual cash retainer—
Annual equity retainer—
Per board meeting fee—
Committee chair fees (audit / comp / nom-gov)20,000 / 15,000 / 10,000
Stock ownership guidelineOur stock ownership guidelines require our directors to achieve and maintain a minimum investment position in our common stock equal to three times the annual equity retainer
09b

Total cost of the board

ComponentFY2024
Cash retainers and fees$419,409
Equity awards (grant-date value)$1,749,888
All other compensation$0
Total cost of the board$2,169,297

Computed as the sum of the director compensation table rows above; inputs and formula shown in the register.

10b

Chief executive pay against the peer group

Most recent fiscal-year chief executive compensation at each disclosed peer, taken from that company's own proxy statement.

RankCompanyFYChief executiveSalaryStock awardsOption awardsNon-equity incentiveTotal
1MeridianLink2024Nicolaas Vlok$600,000$12,296,453$0$471,291$13,371,744

Each peer's compensation is from its most recently filed proxy; fiscal years differ by company. Each peer's figures come from its own filings; the subject company is highlighted. Peers whose chief executive compensation is outside our coverage universe are stated as such, never left blank.

10d

Frequently asked questions

Who was the highest-paid executive at MeridianLink in fiscal 2024?
As disclosed, Laurence Katz (President) was the highest-paid executive at MeridianLink in fiscal 2024, with total compensation of $21,018,260.
How much does MeridianLink spend in total on board compensation for fiscal 2024?
As disclosed, MeridianLink reported total board compensation of $2,169,297 for fiscal 2024.

Answers are drawn only from the figures disclosed in this brief and cited to their location in the source filing. Where a figure required for an answer is not disclosed, that is stated rather than estimated.

11

Source register

Each figure's location is given both for the eye (section · page · table · row · column) and for a script (table/row/column index and exact character span in the filed document). Any figure can be independently confirmed against the source.

#SupportsDocumentFiledAccessionLocation in document
1Section 01, Laurence KatzDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Executive Compensation”. As printed: 21,018,260. Filing ↗machine: r4 · c24 · span 268216–268226
2Section 01, Nicolaas VlokDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Executive Compensation”. As printed: 13,371,744. Filing ↗machine: r2 · c24 · span 261929–261939
3Section 01, Elias OlmetaDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Executive Compensation”. As printed: 7,836,490. Filing ↗machine: r6 · c24 · span 272321–272330
4Section 03, Nicolaas Vlok OTHERDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Summary Compensation Table” · grants of plan-based awards table. Filing ↗machine: t47 · r3 · c5 · span 263297–263306
5Section 03, Laurence Katz RSUDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Executive Compensation” · grants of plan-based awards table. Filing ↗machine: span 298893–298904
6Section 03, Elias Olmeta RSUDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Executive Compensation” · grants of plan-based awards table. Filing ↗machine: span 303067–303077
7Section 03, Sean Blitchok OTHERDEF 14A——Section “Executive Compensation” · grants of plan-based awards table.
8Section 03, Chris Maloof OTHERDEF 14A——Section “Executive Compensation” · grants of plan-based awards table.
9Section 08, George JaberDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 585,706. Filing ↗machine: span 211465–211721
10Section 08, Edward H. McDermottDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 291,894. Filing ↗machine: span 212839–213095
11Section 08, Mark SachlebenDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 264,985. Filing ↗machine: span 216918–217174
12Section 08, Duston WilliamsDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 259,985. Filing ↗machine: span 218277–218533
13Section 08, Reema PoddarDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 257,485. Filing ↗machine: span 214206–214462
14Section 08, Yael ZhengDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 254,985. Filing ↗machine: span 219814–220105
15Section 08, A.J. RohdeDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 244,985. Filing ↗machine: span 215560–215816
16Section 08, Cody CowanDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 9,272. Filing ↗machine: span 209318–209458
17Section 08, Nicolaas VlokDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 0. Filing ↗
18Section 08, Timothy NguyenDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 0. Filing ↗
19Section 08, Laurence E. KatzDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034Section “Director Compensation”. As printed: 0. Filing ↗
20Section 02, Nicolaas Vlok 2025-05-12Form 42025-05-140001834494-25-000050Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
21Section 02, Reema Poddar 2025-06-05Form 42025-06-060001834494-25-000062Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
22Section 02, Yael Zheng 2025-06-05Form 42025-06-060001834494-25-000070Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
23Section 02, George Jaber 2025-06-05Form 42025-06-060001834494-25-000058Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
24Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-06-05Form 42025-06-060001834494-25-000060Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
25Section 02, A.J. Rohde 2025-06-05Form 42025-06-060001834494-25-000064Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
26Section 02, Mark Sachleben 2025-06-05Form 42025-06-060001834494-25-000066Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
27Section 02, Duston Williams 2025-06-05Form 42025-06-060001834494-25-000068Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
28Section 02, Nicolaas Vlok 2025-07-01Form 42025-07-020001834494-25-000074Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
29Section 02, Laurence E. Katz 2025-07-01Form 42025-07-020001834494-25-000075Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
30Section 02, Elias Olmeta 2025-07-01Form 42025-07-020001834494-25-000076Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
31Section 02, Elias Olmeta 2025-08-26Form 42025-08-270001834494-25-000084Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
32Section 02, Elias Olmeta 2025-10-01Form 42025-10-030001834494-25-000096Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
33Section 02, Laurence E. Katz 2025-10-01Form 42025-10-030001834494-25-000095Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
34Section 02, Nicolaas Vlok 2025-10-01Form 42025-10-030001834494-25-000094Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
35Section 02, Laurence E. Katz 2025-10-01Form 42025-10-030001834494-25-000095Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
36Section 02, Nicolaas Vlok 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039354Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
37Section 02, Timothy Nguyen 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039348Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
38Section 02, Nicolaas Vlok 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039354Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
39Section 02, Nicolaas Vlok 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039354Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
40Section 02, Laurence E. Katz 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039345Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
41Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039349Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
42Section 02, Yael Zheng 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039346Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
43Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039349Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
44Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039349Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
45Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039349Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
46Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039349Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
47Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039349Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
48Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039349Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
49Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039349Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
50Section 02, Elias Olmeta 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039347Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
51Section 02, Reema Poddar 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039350Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
52Section 02, A.J. Rohde 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039351Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
53Section 02, Duston Williams 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039353Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
54Section 02, Nicolaas Vlok 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039354Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
55Section 02, Nicolaas Vlok 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039354Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
56Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039349Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
57Section 02, George Jaber 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039344Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
58Section 02, Timothy Nguyen 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039348Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
59Section 02, Timothy Nguyen 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039348Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
60Section 02, Edward H. McDermott 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039349Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
61Section 02, Mark Sachleben 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039352Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
62Section 02, Nicolaas Vlok 2025-10-24Form 42025-10-240001140361-25-039354Insider equity transaction reported since the proxy statement. Filing ↗
63Section 06, 2025 voteForm 8-K2025-06-060001834494-25-000056Item 5.07 · say-on-pay result. As reported: —. Filing ↗
64Section 06, 2024 voteForm 8-K2024-06-070001834494-24-000095Item 5.07 · say-on-pay result. As reported: —. Filing ↗
65Section 06, 2023 voteForm 8-K2023-06-090001834494-23-000069Item 5.07 · say-on-pay result. As reported: —. Filing ↗
66Section 01 trend, Δ column (computed)Computed——Δ = current-FY total − prior-FY total per named officer.machine: formula: Δ = FY(n) − FY(n−1)
67Section 03b vehicle mix (computed)Computed——RSU / PSU / Options grant-date fair values summed per officer from the grants table; % performance-vested = PSU ÷ (RSU+PSU+Options).machine: formula: sums + PSU ratio
68Section 09b board cost (computed)Computed——Cash 419,409 + equity 1,749,888 + all other 0 = 2,169,297, summed across the director compensation table rows.machine: formula: Σ = 2,169,297
69MeridianLink (subject), Section 10b CEO totalDEF 14A2025-04-230001834494-25-000034CEO total compensation as printed in MeridianLink's own proxy. As printed: 13,371,744. Filing ↗machine: r2 · c24 · span 261929–261939

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