Stryker Announces New Investor Relations Leader

Stryker announced that Preston Wells will be appointed vice president, Investor Relations, and report to Glenn Boehnlein, the company’s chief financial officer, effective June 1. After a successful 13-year period, Katherine Owen, vice president, Strategy and Investor Relations, has decided to retire to spend more time with her family. In order to assure a smooth transition of her responsibilities, Owen will transition to advisor to the CEO through March 30, 2021.
 
“We would like to thank Katherine for the many significant contributions she has made to our company and for her demonstrated commitment to our success and growth,” said Kevin Lobo, Stryker’s chairman and CEO. “Katherine has strengthened our investor relations and business development capabilities, including the completion of many successful value-creating deals. I wish Katherine the very best in this new chapter of her life.”
 
Wells has held leadership roles in finance for more than 20 year in various industries, including healthcare. He has served as Stryker’s vice president, Financial Planning and Analysis since 2016 and has successfully transformed the company’s financial forecasting and budgeting processes. Wells has also worked closely with the company’s investor relations team to ensure a cohesive approach to investor reporting.
 
Prior to this role, Wells supported Stryker’s spine business as senior director of Finance where he was responsible for all aspects of sales operations, sales finance, financial planning and analysis and business unit finance. Wells previously served as the chief financial officer at Dialight Corporation, a $300 million manufacturer of LED lighting and held senior leadership positions at Johnson & Johnson’s U.S. consumer skincare business and U.K. reconstructive business.
 
Wells graduated Bucknell University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and earned his MBA in supply chain management from Lehigh University.
 
Well’s appointment is the second by the company in as many weeks. On Feb. 25, Lisa Skeete Tatum was nominated for election to the company’s Board of Directors at Stryker’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held on May 5.
 
Skeete Tatum is the founder and CEO of Landit Inc., a technology platform created to increase the success and engagement of women and diverse groups in the workplace. Her previous experience includes over a decade as an early stage venture capitalist focused on investments in healthcare technology. Skeete Tatum also worked for Procter & Gamble and has served on numerous private and public boards.
 
“We are excited about the potential to add Lisa to our board,” said Lobo. “She brings a strong background in healthcare investing and technology as well as deep insight on talent development that we believe will benefit our board and company.”