CFO change at Baxter (NYSE: BAX) as Anita Zielinski steps in
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Baxter International Inc. announced a chief financial officer transition. As of the transition date, Joel Grade’s service as executive vice president and CFO ended, and he moved into a non-executive advisory role through April 30, 2026. Subject to a separation agreement, he will receive severance benefits under Baxter’s Executive Severance Plan for Group 1 Executives. The company stated his transition was not due to any disagreement with management or the board.
Effective the same date, Baxter’s board appointed Anita Zielinski, senior vice president, chief accounting officer and controller, as interim CFO. She will retain her existing responsibilities and receive additional compensation of $50,000 per month while serving as interim CFO, plus a one-time restricted stock unit award valued at $250,000, scheduled to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. Baxter also reiterated its full-year 2026 financial outlook previously provided on February 12, 2026.
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Insights
CFO transition appears orderly, with continuity measures and pay clearly defined.
Baxter International Inc. is managing a CFO change by moving Joel Grade into an advisory role through April 30, 2026 and appointing existing senior finance leader Anita Zielinski as interim CFO. Explicit confirmation that the move is not due to disagreements reduces governance concerns.
The severance package follows the existing Executive Severance Plan, and interim compensation for Zielinski includes an extra $50,000 per month and a $250,000 RSU grant vesting after three years. This mix adds cash and long-term equity incentives tied to her expanded role.
The company reiterated its full-year 2026 financial outlook previously given on February 12, 2026, signaling no immediate change in expectations alongside the leadership shift. Future filings may provide further detail on the permanent CFO search and any subsequent impact on the finance organization.
8-K Event Classification
FAQ
What CFO changes did Baxter International Inc. (BAX) announce?
Why is Baxter CFO Joel Grade leaving his role and will he stay on for a transition?
What compensation will Baxter’s interim CFO Anita Zielinski receive for her expanded role?
Did Baxter International Inc. (BAX) change its 2026 financial outlook with the CFO transition?
Who is Baxter’s new interim CFO and what is her background?
Will Baxter continue searching for a permanent CFO after appointing an interim CFO?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
Transition of Joel Grade as CFO; Appointment of Anita Zielinski as Interim CFO
On March 16, 2026, Baxter International Inc. (the “Company”) announced that, as of such date (the “Transition Date”), Joel Grade’s service as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company has ceased and, as of such date, Mr. Grade has transitioned into a non-executive officer role and will continue employment with the Company in an advisory capacity through April 30, 2026.
Subject to Mr. Grade’s compliance with the terms of a Confidential Transition and Separation Agreement entered into with the Company effective March 15, 2026 (the “Separation Agreement”), including certain release requirements and restrictive covenant obligations, he is entitled to receive severance benefits under the qualifying termination provisions of the Company’s Executive Severance Plan for Group 1 Executives as described in the Company’s Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 13, 2026 under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Following a Change in Control–Executive Severance Plan” (and the amounts set forth in the corresponding “Involuntary Termination without Cause” columns). Mr. Grade’s transition and separation was not the result of any disagreement with Company management or the Company’s board of directors relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.
In connection with these announcements, the Company announced that, effective as of the Transition Date, the Board appointed Anita Zielinski, the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, as interim CFO of the Company. Ms. Zielinski will also continue to serve in her current role and retain her responsibilities as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller while the Company undertakes an executive search process for a permanent CFO.
Ms. Zielinski, 52, joined the Company in 2025 as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller. Before joining the Company, she worked for Sysco Corporation (“Sysco”) for seven years, most recently, beginning in 2022, as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, US Foodservice Operations, and prior to that as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to Sysco, Ms. Zielinski spent more than 20 years at Ernst & Young LLP, including as an audit partner. Ms. Zielinski holds a bachelor’s degree of business administration from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of Texas.
Ms. Zielinski does not have any family relationships with any of the Company’s directors or executive officers, there are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Zielinski and any other persons pursuant to which she was selected as an officer, and there are no transactions between Ms. Zielinski and the Company that would be required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
In connection with Ms. Zielinski’s appointment, the Company entered into amended compensation arrangements with Ms. Zielinski providing the following additional compensation that is commensurate with her additional duties as interim CFO: a payment of $50,000 per month for each month Ms. Zielinski serves in this capacity, and a one-time special award of restricted stock units with a value of $250,000 on the first quarterly off-cycle grant date on or after the Transition Date, which will be scheduled to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.
| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure |
On March 16, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing, among other things, Mr. Grade’s transition and the appointment of Ms. Zielinski as the Company’s interim CFO. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information in Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except in the event that the Company expressly states that such information is to be considered filed under the Exchange Act or incorporates it by specific reference in such filing.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 99.1 | Press Release Dated March 16, 2026 | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC. | ||||||
| Date: March 16, 2026 | By: | /s/ Ellen K. Bradford | ||||
| Name: | Ellen K. Bradford | |||||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary | |||||
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BAXTER ANNOUNCES CFO TRANSITION
Joel Grade to depart as Baxter CFO; Anita Zielinski named interim CFO
DEERFIELD, Ill., MARCH 16, 2026 – Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), a global medtech leader, today announced the departure of executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) Joel Grade. Mr. Grade is leaving the company to prioritize family matters but will continue in an advisory capacity until April 30, 2026.
Baxter has named Anita Zielinski as interim CFO, effective immediately, while the company conducts its search to fill the role. Ms. Zielinski joined Baxter in 2025 as senior vice president, chief accounting officer and controller, and will continue with these responsibilities in addition to serving as interim CFO. She joined Baxter from Sysco Corporation, where she most recently served as senior vice president and CFO, U.S. Foodservice Operations, Sysco’s largest business segment. Prior to Sysco, Ms. Zielinski spent more than 20 years at Ernst & Young LLP, including as an audit partner.
“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 prioritize stabilizing 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.”
2026 Outlook
Baxter also announced today that the company is reiterating its full-year 2026 financial outlook provided on Feb. 12, 2026.
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About Baxter
At Baxter, we are everywhere healthcare happens – and everywhere it is going, with essential solutions in the hospital, physician’s office and other sites of care. For nearly a century, our customers have counted on us as a vital and trusted partner. And every day, millions of patients and healthcare providers rely on our unmatched portfolio of connected solutions, medical devices, and advanced injectable technologies. Approximately 37,500 Baxter team members live our enduring Mission: to Save and Sustain Lives. Together, we are redefining how care is delivered to make a greater impact today, tomorrow, and beyond. To learn more, visit www.baxter.com and follow us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future events or achievements such as statements in this press release related to the company’s 2026 financial outlook. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contemplated in this press release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Baxter’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which you may obtain for free at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect the company’s financial outlook, business, results of operations and financial condition. Baxter undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Media Contact
Stacey Eisen, (224) 948-5353
media@baxter.com
Investor Contact
Kevin Moran, (224) 948-3085
global_corp_investor_relations@baxter.com
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