Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) hires Anita Zielinski as chief accounting officer
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Cardinal Health, Inc. appointed Anita Zielinski as Chief Accounting Officer, effective November 5, 2026. She will join as Senior Vice President Finance on September 16 and succeed Mary Scherer, who will remain Chief Accounting Officer through November 5, 2026.
Zielinski, 52, previously held senior finance and accounting roles at Baxter International and Sysco, and was a partner at Ernst & Young. Her compensation includes an annual base salary, annual cash bonus under the Management Incentive Plan, equity under the long-term incentive program, a $750,000 cash sign-on bonus, and an initial grant of time-vesting restricted share units with a grant date value of $1,000,000 that vest ratably over three years.
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8-K Event Classification
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
1 item
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Key Figures
Cash sign-on bonus: $750,000
Initial RSU grant value: $1,000,000
Vesting period: 3 years
+1 more
4 metrics
Cash sign-on bonus
$750,000
One-time cash sign-on bonus for Anita Zielinski
Initial RSU grant value
$1,000,000
Time-vesting restricted share units vesting ratably over three years
Vesting period
3 years
Initial RSU grant vests ratably over three years
Age of appointee
52
Age of Anita Zielinski at the time of appointment
Key Terms
Management Incentive Plan, restricted share units, long-term incentive program, Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K
4 terms
Management Incentive Plan financial
"an annual cash bonus under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan"
A management incentive plan is a structured pay program that rewards company executives and senior managers when they meet specific goals, using cash bonuses, stock awards, or options. It matters to investors because it helps align leaders’ actions with shareholder interests—like tying a coach’s bonus to a team’s wins—while influencing retention, risk-taking and potential share dilution, all of which can affect company performance and stock value.
long-term incentive program financial
"annual equity-based awards pursuant to the Company’s long-term incentive program"
A long-term incentive program is a company plan that pays executives or employees rewards—often stock, options, or cash—only if the business hits performance goals over several years. It matters to investors because these payouts align managers’ interests with shareholders, encouraging decisions that boost sustained growth and share value rather than short-term gains; think of it as a multi-year bonus tied to measurable company outcomes.
Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K regulatory
"no transactions required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K"
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
What executive change did Cardinal Health (CAH) announce regarding its Chief Accounting Officer?
Cardinal Health appointed Anita Zielinski as Chief Accounting Officer, effective November 5, 2026. She will join as Senior Vice President Finance on September 16, succeeding Mary Scherer, who will continue as Chief Accounting Officer until the effective transition date.
What is the compensation package for Anita Zielinski at Cardinal Health (CAH)?
Anita Zielinski will receive an annual base salary, an annual cash bonus under the Management Incentive Plan, and annual equity awards. She will also receive a $750,000 cash sign-on bonus and $1,000,000 in time-vesting restricted share units vesting over three years.
What is Anita Zielinski’s professional background before joining Cardinal Health (CAH)?
Before joining Cardinal Health, Anita Zielinski served as interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer at Baxter International, held senior finance and accounting roles at Sysco, and spent over twenty years in Ernst & Young’s assurance practice, including as a partner starting in 2013.
What equity awards will Anita Zielinski receive from Cardinal Health (CAH)?
Zielinski will receive annual equity-based awards under the company’s long-term incentive program. In addition, she will receive an initial grant of time-vesting restricted share units with a grant date value of $1,000,000, vesting ratably over three years.