Joel Grade

Background

About Joel Grade

I am the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Baxter International (NYSE: BAX), a Fortune 500 global medical technology leader. As CFO, I advise the executive team and board on finance, capital markets, strategy, business transformation, operations, planning and forecasting, initiative prioritization, M&A, people development, investor relations, and sustainability. I joined Baxter following a 25-year career with Sysco (NYSE: SYY), the world's global foodservice leader. Career Trajectory Over the course of my career at Sysco, I held various global C-suite finance and executive roles (e.g, EVP of Corporate Development, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and SVP of Foodservice Operations), leading various regions of the US and Canada, with revenues ranging from $5 billion to $20 billion. I also led several enterprise-wide transformation initiatives which enabled Sysco’s business model to adapt to changing market conditions and disruptive market forces. I began my career in public accounting at Ernst & Young, providing audit services to public and private companies in the technology, manufacturing, and financial services sectors, including assisting with two IPOs. I also earned my CPA license (currently inactive). Corporate Governance & Board Experience I bring deep corporate governance experience through my work with corporate boards (internally at Baxter and Sysco and externally at outside entities), as well as audit, finance, compensation, cost, and board operating committees. At Baxter and Sysco, I have served as a key member of internal management committees (operating, investment, enterprise risk management, sustainability, and technology). At Sysco, I served as Chairman of its Mexico and Panama Joint Venture boards. Currently, I am a member of the Wisconsin School of Business External Advisory Board and the Kellogg Financial Network Advisory Board at Northwestern University. Previously, I was Sysco’s delegate with the International Food Distributors Industry Association, Chair of the Finance Committee for Brighter Bites Charity Board, and a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). I have also engaged in board governance training through Deloitte’s Center for Board Effectiveness.