Edwards Lifesciences Appoints Doretta Mistras as Chief Financial Officer, Marking a Strategic Leadership Transition
Edwards Lifesciences has announced a significant leadership update with the appointment of Theodora Mistras—widely known as Doretta Mistras—as its new corporate vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). The transition is set to take effect at the end of May, signaling a new chapter in the company’s financial leadership as it continues to expand its role in advancing structural heart and critical care technologies.
Mistras will step into the role following the planned transition of longtime CFO Scott Ullem, who previously announced his intention to move on from the position. The leadership change reflects Edwards’ commitment to continuity, strategic growth, and strong financial stewardship during a period of ongoing innovation and market expansion.
A Seasoned Financial Leader Joins Edwards
Doretta Mistras brings with her decades of experience across corporate finance, investment banking, and healthcare strategy. She joins Edwards from Viatris, where she has served as chief financial officer since March 2024. In that role, she was responsible for overseeing a vast global finance organization, including financial planning, reporting, and operational finance functions across a complex multinational business.
Her tenure at Viatris has been marked by leadership in managing financial operations in a highly dynamic healthcare environment, requiring both strategic oversight and operational discipline. This experience positions her well to contribute to Edwards’ long-term financial objectives and support its continued investment in innovation and patient-focused solutions.
Strong Background in Investment Banking
Before joining Viatris, Mistras built an extensive career in healthcare investment banking. She served as a managing director at Citigroup Global Markets, where she advised corporate clients on financial strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets transactions. Her work involved guiding executive teams and boards through complex financial decisions, often in high-stakes environments.
Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles at Goldman Sachs, further solidifying her expertise in financial strategy and corporate advisory. Across these roles, Mistras developed a deep understanding of the healthcare sector, working closely with organizations navigating growth, transformation, and market challenges.
Her combined experience in both corporate finance and advisory roles gives her a comprehensive perspective that aligns well with Edwards’ strategic priorities.
Academic Credentials and Foundation
Mistras’s academic background reflects a strong foundation in both global studies and economics. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Pennsylvania, along with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Wharton School. This dual academic focus has contributed to her ability to navigate global financial environments while maintaining a strong grasp of economic principles.
CEO Endorsement and Strategic Vision
Edwards’ CEO, Bernard Zovighian, expressed confidence in Mistras’s appointment and emphasized the strategic importance of her leadership.
He highlighted her broad experience and deep understanding of the healthcare industry as key assets that will support the company’s ongoing initiatives. According to Zovighian, Mistras’s expertise will play a crucial role as Edwards continues to execute its differentiated strategy—one that balances innovation, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.
Her leadership is expected to contribute not only to financial performance but also to the company’s broader mission of improving patient outcomes and delivering meaningful value to stakeholders, including customers, shareholders, and the healthcare ecosystem at large.
Transition from Longtime CFO Scott Ullem
The appointment also marks the transition of Scott Ullem, who has served as Edwards’ CFO since 2014. Over the past decade, Ullem has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s financial strategy, helping guide its growth and strengthening its position within the medical technology sector.
Under his leadership, Edwards has achieved significant financial milestones while continuing to invest in innovation and expand its global footprint. His tenure has been characterized by disciplined financial management and a strong partnership with executive leadership.
Zovighian acknowledged Ullem’s contributions, expressing gratitude for his leadership and the impact he has had on the organization. He also noted that Ullem’s commitment to a thoughtful and structured transition reflects the company’s longstanding emphasis on continuity and stability in leadership.
Continued Involvement as Strategic Advisor
Although stepping down from the CFO role, Ullem will remain involved with Edwards in the near term as a strategic advisor. This arrangement ensures a smooth transition and allows the company to benefit from his experience and institutional knowledge during the handover period.
Such continuity is particularly valuable in maintaining momentum across key financial initiatives and supporting the onboarding of new leadership. It also reflects Edwards’ broader approach to leadership transitions—prioritizing stability, collaboration, and long-term success.
Supporting Edwards’ Growth and Innovation Strategy
Mistras’s appointment comes at a time when Edwards Lifesciences continues to invest heavily in innovation, particularly in areas such as structural heart therapies and minimally invasive technologies. The company has built a strong reputation for advancing medical solutions that improve patient outcomes while addressing complex cardiovascular conditions.
As CFO, Mistras will play a central role in aligning financial strategy with these innovation goals. Her responsibilities will include overseeing capital allocation, managing financial risks, and ensuring that the company maintains a strong balance sheet while pursuing growth opportunities.
Her experience in guiding organizations through strategic transformations will be particularly valuable as Edwards navigates evolving market dynamics and continues to expand its global reach.
A Forward-Looking Leadership Transition
The leadership change reflects a broader theme within Edwards Lifesciences: the importance of forward-looking decision-making and proactive succession planning. By appointing a leader with deep expertise in both healthcare and finance, the company is positioning itself to sustain its growth trajectory while maintaining strong financial discipline.
Mistras’s ability to bridge operational finance with strategic advisory experience makes her well-suited to support Edwards’ long-term objectives. Her leadership is expected to enhance the company’s ability to respond to market opportunities, drive innovation, and deliver consistent financial performance.
The appointment of Doretta Mistras as chief financial officer marks a significant milestone for Edwards Lifesciences. With a strong track record in healthcare finance and investment banking, she brings the expertise needed to support the company’s next phase of growth.
At the same time, the transition honors the contributions of Scott Ullem, whose leadership has helped shape Edwards into a financially robust and strategically focused organization. His continued involvement as an advisor ensures continuity and reinforces the company’s commitment to thoughtful leadership transitions.
As Edwards Lifesciences moves forward, the combination of experienced leadership, strategic clarity, and ongoing investment in innovation positions the company to continue delivering value across the healthcare landscape.
About Edwards Lifesciences
Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives. Through breakthrough technologies, world-class evidence and partnerships with clinicians and healthcare stakeholders, our employees are inspired by our patient-focused culture to deliver life-changing innovations to those who need them most
