BOARD OF DIRECTORS & COMMITTEES

Robert B. Ford is Abbott's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He assumed the role of Chairman in December 2021, having been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in March 2020.

Previously, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer; and as Executive Vice President, Medical Devices, leading Abbott's Diabetes Care, Cardiovascular and Neuromodulation businesses.

Mr. Ford earned a bachelor's degree from Boston College and a master's degree in business administration from UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business.

Dr. Alpern has served as the Ensign Professor of Medicine and Professor of Internal Medicine, at Yale School of Medicine since June 2004. From June 2004 to January 2020, Dr. Alpern served as Dean of Yale School of Medicine. From July 1998 to May 2004, Dr. Alpern was the Dean of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Alpern also serves as a Director of AbbVie Inc. and Tricida, Inc. and served as a Director on the Board of Yale New Haven Hospital from October 2005 through January 2020.

As a result of his long-tenured leadership positions at the Yale School of Medicine and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and as a former Director on the Board of Yale New Haven Hospital, Dr. Alpern contributes valuable insights to the Board through his medical and scientific expertise and his knowledge of the health care environment and the scientific nature of Abbott’s key research and development initiatives.

Ms. Austin is President and Chief Executive Officer of Austin Investment Advisors, a private investment and consulting firm, and chairs the U.S. Mid-Market Investment Advisory Committee of EQT Partners. Previously, Ms. Austin also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Move Networks, Inc., a provider of Internet television services. Ms. Austin served as President and Chief Operating Officer of DIRECTV, Inc. Ms. Austin also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hughes Electronics Corporation and as a partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Ms. Austin served on the Board of Directors of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson from 2008 to 2016 and Target Corporation from 2002 to 2020. Ms. Austin currently serves on the Board of Directors of AbbVie Inc., CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., and Verizon Communications Inc. 

Through her extensive management and operating roles, including her financial roles, Ms. Austin contributes significant oversight and leadership experience, including financial expertise and knowledge of financial statements, corporate finance and accounting matters.

Ms. Blount has been Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago since August 1, 2020. Ms. Blount also is the Michael L. Nemmers Professor of Strategy and former Dean of the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University from 2010 to 2018. From 2004 to 2010, she served as the Vice Dean and Dean of the Undergraduate College of New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Ms. Blount joined the faculty of New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business in 2001 and was the Abraham L. Gitlow Professor of Management and Organizations. Prior to joining NYU in 2001, Ms. Blount held academic posts at the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business from 1992 to 2001. Ms. Blount currently serves on the Board of Directors of Ulta Beauty, Inc. and the Joyce Foundation.

Having served as Dean of the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and as Vice Dean and Dean of the Undergraduate College of New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Ms. Blount provides Abbott’s Board with expertise on business organization, governance and business management matters.

Ms. Gonzalez has served as Vice President and Treasurer of The Clorox Company since January 2018, pursuant to which she is responsible for treasury, investor relations and real estate matters.  From 2010 to 2017, she served as Vice President of Finance, Household and Lifestyle Segments, with responsibility for a portfolio of multiple businesses.  From 2008 to 2010, she served as Vice President of Finance, Global Strategic Initiatives after holding various leadership roles in finance across the company.  Ms. Gonzalez joined The Clorox Company in 1997, having previously worked in finance for American Airlines in Latin America.

As Vice President and Treasurer of The Clorox Company, and through her prior financial roles in several of its businesses, Ms. Gonzalez has considerable experience providing financial leadership to a multinational public company with multiple businesses, contributing significant financial expertise and knowledge of financial statements, corporate finance and accounting matters.

Ms. Kumbier served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company from 2017 to April 2020.  Previously, she served as Senior Vice President of Motor Company Product and Operations from 2015 to 2017, as Senior Vice President of Motorcycle Operations from 2012 to 2015, as Senior Vice President of Product Development from 2010 to 2012, and as Vice President Supply-Chain Management from 2007 to 2010.  She started her career with Harley-Davidson in 1997. Prior to Harley-Davidson, Ms. Kumbier was employed with Kohler Company, maker of premium plumbing products, in a variety of positions from 1986 to 1997. Ms. Kumbier currently serves as a Director of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated and Tenneco Inc.

Having served in several executive roles at Harley-Davidson, Ms. Kumbier contributes extensive experience in the management of a multinational public company, including significant manufacturing, product development, business development and strategic planning experience.

General McDew is a retired four-star general who served for 36 years in the United States military before retiring in October 2018. From August 2015 to August 2018, General McDew served as Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, the single manager for global air, land and sea transportation for the U.S. Department of Defense. Previously, he also served as Vice Director for Strategic Plans and Policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Military Aide to the President, Director of Air Force Public Affairs, and Chief of Air Force Senate Liaison Division. General McDew currently serves on the Board of Directors of Parsons Corporation, Rolls-Royce, North America, Inc., United Services Automobile Association, and Boys & Girls Club of America.

Through his extensive leadership in the U.S. Air Force, General McDew contributes significant experience managing large, complex global operations, including strategic planning, security and risk management, cybersecurity, and supply chain and infrastructure management.

Ms. McKinstry has been the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of Wolters Kluwer N.V. since September 2003 and a member of its Executive Board since June 2001. Ms. McKinstry also serves on the Board of Accenture, the Board of Overseers of Columbia Business School, and the Board of Directors of Russell Reynolds Associates. Ms. McKinstry is also a member of the European Round Table of Industrialists. Ms. McKinstry served on the Board of Directors of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (LM Ericsson Telephone Company) from 2004 to 2012.

As the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of Wolters Kluwer N.V., Ms. McKinstry contributes global perspectives and management experience, including an understanding of key issues facing a multinational business such as Abbott’s.

Mr. Osborn was Chairman of Northern Trust Corporation from 1995 through 2009 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 1995 through 2007. Mr. Osborn served on the Board of Directors of Nicor, Inc. from 1999 to 2006, Tribune Company from 2001 to 2012, Caterpillar Inc. from 2000 to 2021, and General Dynamics Corporation from 2009 to 2021.

As the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern Trust Company, Mr. Osborn acquired broad experience in successfully overseeing complex global businesses operating in highly regulated industries.

Mr. Roman has served as the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of 3M Company since May 2019. Previously, he served as Chief Executive Officer from July 2018 to May 2019 and as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President from July 2017 to June 2018 with direct responsibilities for 3M's five business groups and its international operations. From June 2014 to July 2017, Mr. Roman served as 3M's Executive Vice President, Industrial Business Group. He served as 3M's Senior Vice President, Business Development, from May 2013 to June 2014 and as Vice President and General Manager of Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division from September 2011 to May 2013.

As Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of 3M Company, Mr. Roman has extensive experience leading a multinational public company with multiple businesses, contributing significant manufacturing, supply chain, technology, and finance experience, as well as valuable insights into corporate strategy and risk management.

Mr. Starks served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Jude Medical, Inc., from 2004 until his retirement in January 2016, after which he served as its Executive Chairman of the Board until January 2017, when Abbott completed the acquisition of St. Jude Medical. Mr. Starks also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of St. Jude Medical from 2001 to 2004 and as its President and CEO, Cardiac Rhythm Management Business from 1997 to 2001.

Having served as St. Jude Medical's Executive Chairman and its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and having joined St. Jude Medical in 1996, Mr. Starks contributes not only comprehensive and critical knowledge of the medical devices industry, but also extensive business and management experience operating a global public company in a highly regulated industry.

Mr. Stratton has served as the Executive Chairman of Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. since April 30, 2021. Previously, Mr. Stratton served in a variety of roles at Verizon Communications, Inc., including as Executive Vice President and President of Global Operations from February 2015 to December 2018, as Executive Vice President and President of Global Enterprise and Consumer Wireline from April 2014 to February 2015, as President of Verizon Enterprise Solutions from January 2012 to April 2014, and as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Verizon Wireless from October 2010 to January 2012. Mr. Stratton currently serves on the Board of Directors of General Dynamics Corporation. Mr. Stratton also served as a member of The President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee from October 2012 to July 2018 and as a Director of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association from February 2015 to July 2018.

Through his executive leadership experience, Mr. Stratton contributes extensive business and management expertise operating a global public company such as Abbott, including valuable insights on corporate strategy and risk management. His service on the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee enables him to provide government perspective and experience in a highly regulated industry.

Mr. Tilton served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of UAL Corporation, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Air Lines, Inc., an air transportation company and wholly owned subsidiary of UAL Corporation, from September 2002 to October 2010. Mr. Tilton also served on the Board of United Continental Holdings, Inc. from 2001 to 2013 and served as its Non-Executive Chairman of the Board from October 2010 to December 2012. Mr. Tilton is also a Director of AbbVie Inc. and Phillips 66. Mr. Tilton also served on the Board of Directors of Lincoln National Corporation from 2002 to 2007, of TXU Corporation from 2005 to 2007, of Corning Incorporated from 2010 to 2012, and as Chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and a member of its companywide Executive Committee from June 2011 to June 2014.

Having previously served as Chief Executive Officer of UAL Corporation and United Air Lines, Non Executive Chairman of the Board of United Continental Holdings, Inc., Chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase & Co., Chairman, President, and Vice Chairman of Chevron Texaco, and as Interim Chairman of Dynegy, Inc., Mr. Tilton acquired strong management experience overseeing complex multinational businesses operating in highly regulated industries, as well as expertise in finance and capital markets matters.