Robert Musslewhite and Sudhakar Ramakrishna Appointed to Cardinal Health Board of Directors
Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Robert Musslewhite and Sudhakar Ramakrishna as independent directors, effective March 7, 2025. Musslewhite, the former CEO of Definitive Healthcare Corp., and Ramakrishna, the current President and CEO of SolarWinds Corporation, bring significant leadership experience and expertise to the board.
Musslewhite and Ramakrishna’s appointments signal Cardinal Health’s commitment to enhancing its governance and strategic oversight. With over two decades of experience in leadership, Musslewhite’s background in advanced analytics, data, and technology in the healthcare sector will provide valuable insights as the company continues to expand its capabilities in these areas. Similarly, Ramakrishna’s extensive expertise in technology and cybersecurity will be a tremendous asset as Cardinal Health navigates the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Robert Musslewhite’s career is marked by leadership roles in two publicly traded companies. He has built a reputation for driving growth and innovation, particularly in technology-oriented healthcare organizations. He previously served as CEO of Definitive Healthcare Corp. and OptumInsight, a division of UnitedHealth Group. Prior to that, Musslewhite was Chair and CEO of The Advisory Board Company and held multiple roles at McKinsey & Company. With this extensive experience, he has developed a deep understanding of the strategic use of data across healthcare systems. Musslewhite’s strong track record in growing companies through complex business environments will be instrumental in helping Cardinal Health reach new milestones.
In addition to his executive experience, Musslewhite is an active board member. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of CoStar Group, Inc., and has previously served on the boards of companies in the healthcare industry, including Definitive Healthcare Corp., The Advisory Board Company, and Evolent Health, Inc. His governance experience and extensive knowledge in healthcare technology will support Cardinal Health’s growth trajectory.
Musslewhite will serve on Cardinal Health’s Audit Committee and Human Resources and Compensation Committee, where his expertise in strategic oversight and data management will be valuable in guiding the company’s decision-making processes.
Sudhakar Ramakrishna, with over 20 years of leadership in technology, brings expertise in business strategy and technology management to the board. Currently, Ramakrishna serves as the President and CEO of SolarWinds Corporation, a global leader in IT management and cybersecurity solutions. Before joining SolarWinds, he held leadership roles at Pulse Secure, LLC, Citrix Systems, Inc., Polycom, Inc., Motorola, Inc., and several other technology companies. His experience managing large, complex organizations and overseeing global technology initiatives has equipped him with the skills to navigate and solve intricate business and technology challenges.
Ramakrishna’s leadership in cybersecurity and crisis management has been particularly noteworthy. His experience in implementing effective cybersecurity measures across matrixed organizations will be crucial for Cardinal Health as it continues to prioritize the security of its operations and customer data. As the company increasingly integrates technology into its healthcare solutions, Ramakrishna’s insights into managing and mitigating technological risks will ensure that Cardinal Health remains resilient in an ever-changing environment.
Ramakrishna also brings strong governance experience, serving on the boards of multiple technology companies, including Enterprise 4.0 Technology Acquisition Corp., SailPoint Technologies Holdings, Inc., Mitel Networks Corporation, and Meru Networks, Inc. He will join Cardinal Health’s Audit and Risk Oversight Committees, where his background in risk management and technology will be vital in ensuring the company’s continued success in addressing emerging risks and compliance challenges.
In a statement, Gregory Kenny, Chairman of the Board for Cardinal Health, expressed enthusiasm about the new appointments: “Robert brings decades of experience in leading technology-oriented healthcare companies and successfully driving rapid growth and innovation. His expertise in strategic uses of data across healthcare systems and navigating complex business environments will be a great contribution to the board. Likewise, Sudhakar’s proven leadership in both technology and business strategy, combined with his ability to collaborate and drive results, will be a tremendous asset to the company. We are pleased to welcome them to our board and look forward to their valuable insights.”
Jason Hollar, CEO of Cardinal Health, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how Musslewhite and Ramakrishna’s extensive experience and leadership in technology align with the company’s growth initiatives: “Their track records of delivering results align with our culture, and we look forward to the contributions they will make to Cardinal Health.”
Brief Bios of the New Board Members
Robert Musslewhite
Robert Musslewhite currently serves as an advisor to a private equity firm. He has previously held roles as CEO of Definitive Healthcare Corp. and OptumInsight, as well as Chair and CEO of The Advisory Board Company. Musslewhite is a graduate of Princeton University with a degree in Economics and Harvard Law School.
Sudhakar Ramakrishna
Sudhakar Ramakrishna is the President and CEO of SolarWinds Corporation. He has held leadership roles at Pulse Secure, LLC, Citrix Systems, Inc., Polycom, Inc., and other technology companies. Ramakrishna holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering from Osmania University, a Master of Science in Computer Science from Kansas State University, and a Master of Management from Northwestern University.
About Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health is a leading global distributor of pharmaceuticals and medical products. The company operates in several sectors, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, laboratory products, home-health services, and nuclear pharmacies. Cardinal Health is committed to improving patient outcomes through its customer-focused approach and innovative solutions that address evolving healthcare needs.
