Baxter Announces CFO Transition As Joel Grade Steps Down, Appoints Anita Zielinski Interim Chief Financial Officer

Baxter International Inc. announced that its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Joel Grade, will be stepping down to focus on family matters. He will continue to support the company in an advisory role through April 30, 2026, ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

To maintain continuity, Baxter has appointed Anita Zielinski as interim CFO, effective immediately, while it begins the search for a permanent successor. Zielinski joined Baxter in 2025 as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller, and will retain these responsibilities alongside her interim CFO role.

“Joel has supported Baxter through a period of significant transformation, and we greatly appreciate his contributions and partnership,” said Andrew Hider, president and chief executive officer. “Baxter remains well positioned for value creation and continues to prioritise stabilising the business, strengthening our balance sheet, and driving a culture of continuous improvement. I am confident that Anita and the Finance team will provide strong leadership to ensure this continuity during the transition.”

Before joining Baxter, Zielinski held senior leadership roles at Sysco Corporation, where she served as Senior Vice President and CFO of its U.S. Foodservice Operations, the company’s largest business segment. She also brings over two decades of experience from Ernst & Young LLP, where she worked as an audit partner.

Baxter emphasised its ongoing commitment to delivering essential healthcare solutions across hospitals, physician offices, and other care settings. With approximately 37,500 employees, the company continues to focus on advancing its portfolio of medical devices, connected care solutions, and injectable technologies to support patients and healthcare providers globally.