Cutera, Inc. Announces Executive Leadership and Governance Changes

Cutera, Inc., a leading provider of aesthetic and dermatology solutions, have made significant changes to the company’s executive leadership to focus on improving performance and results. 

 

The board of directors has appointed Sheila A. Hopkins interim chief executive officer and Janet D. Widmann independent chair of the board, effective immediately. 

 

The board’s search for a permanent CEO is underway.

Hopkins has served as a member of Cutera’s board of directors since May 2021 and currently serves as a director for Prestige Consumer Healthcare. Hopkins previously served as president, global vision care and executive vice president of Bausch + Lomb. She has also held other executive leadership roles at other multinational organizations, including Colgate-Palmolive, Procter & Gamble and Tambrands. In her role as Cutera’s interim CEO, Hopkins will be focused on leading the execution of the company’s AviClear strategy and pursuing additional growth opportunities across Cutera’s global footprint.

 

“My primary focus as interim CEO is to ensure we continue moving full speed ahead with respect to the AviClear strategy in order to realize the value inherent in this groundbreaking innovation, while also maintaining laser focus on our core business,” said Hopkins. “I look forward to working closely with the management team and facilitating a seamless transition of leadership today and as we bring on permanent leadership.”

Widmann has served as a member of Cutera’s board of directors since December 2021. She is a member of the board of directors of Avista Corporation and Acorn Health, and has been an advisor to Vida Health. She previously served as president and CEO of Kids Care Dental and Orthodontics and held numerous leadership roles, including executive vice president and chief executive, at Blue Shield of California. Widmann has been recognized as one of the Most Influential Corporate Board Directors by Women Inc. With more than 10 years of experience serving on corporate, private and not-for-profit boards and more than 25 years of experience driving growth within the healthcare industry, she is well-positioned to oversee the execution of Cutera’s strategy to drive the business forward, according to the company.

 

The appointments follow the immediate terminations of Daniel Plants as executive chairman and David Mowry as CEO, for cause. The Board’s decision to terminate Plants and Mowry was made following joint and unanimous recommendations from a special committee comprising all members of the board’s governance and corporate responsibility committee and the majority of the members of the board of directors.

 

Said Widmann, “The board’s decision to terminate Mr. Mowry and Mr. Plants is consistent with our commitment to taking actions that we believe are in the best interests of the company and Cutera stockholders. Looking ahead, we remain focused on leading with clinical results, supporting practice expansion, placing the customer at the center of our partnership approach and delivering improved patient outcomes. Sheila is a proven leader, and on behalf of the Board, we are confident that she is the right person to lead Cutera during this transitional period and thank her for stepping into the role of Interim CEO as the Board conducts its search.”