Harvard Club of Southern California

SOLD OUT! Edwards Lifesciences – An Unprecedented Look into a Company Transforming Patient Care

We have a rare opportunity to see inside a billion dollar company that uses cutting-edge technology to save lives. Tour their facility, hear management’s story, network with friends, & dine on high-end appetizers. This is a don’t miss, unique opportunity!

Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
GPS/Waze Location For Event Parking Structure 2 (Edwards Lifesciences 1421 McGaw Avenue Parking Structure 2 Irvine, CA  92614). Parking passes will be emailed within 2 days of the event.

Imagine a company that has morphed from a $1 billion spin-off to a $40 billion global behemoth in just over two decades. This isn't just a vision—It's the extraordinary reality of Edwards Lifesciences.

This event is now sold out. Thanks for a great response!

Cost: Members, $30; Non-Members, $50
Contact: Karen Hernandez, hbs@hbsaoc.org

Parking Instructions: GPS/Waze Location For Event Parking Structure 2 (Edwards Lifesciences 1421 McGaw Avenue Parking Structure 2 Irvine, CA  92614). Parking passes will be emailed within 2 days of the event.

WHY EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES STANDS OUT:

• From $1B to $40B: Witness the incredible journey of a company that has grown 40-fold since its spin-off in 2000, driven by a relentless focus on patient outcomes and innovation.
• Lives Saved, Value Created: Learn how Edwards' unwavering commitment to improving patient lives has translated into market leadership and extraordinary financial success.
• Culture of Innovation: Discover how a mission-driven culture that values every employee has become the catalyst for groundbreaking medical advancements.
• Vision Meets Execution: Explore the perfect synergy of strategic foresight and flawless operational execution that has positioned Edwards at the forefront of cardiovascular care.

This is your exclusive opportunity to gain insights from two Harvard MBA alumni who are at the helm of this extraordinary organization:

• Scott Ullem (HBS 1989), Chief Financial Officer
• Daveen Chopra (HBS 2007), Corporate Vice President, Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies

 
WHO IS EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES?

• Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives. Through breakthrough technologies, world-class evidence, and partnerships with clinicians and healthcare stakeholders, our employees have inspired our patient-focused culture to deliver life-changing innovation to those who need them most.

 
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Exclusive Presentations: Experience an engaging overview from Scott Ullem, showcasing Edwards' journey from a $1B spin-off to a $40B leader in medical innovation. Dive deep into Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies with Daveen Chopra, and learn how Edwards is expanding treatment options for millions of patients globally.
• Fireside Chat: Participate in a dynamic discussion moderated by Mark Wilser, where our speakers will share insights on Edwards' unique innovation strategy, their patient-first culture, and how they're shaping the future of cardiovascular care.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow HBS alumni and influential business leaders in Edwards' cutting-edge facilities, designed to foster collaboration and breakthrough thinking.
• Campus Access: Visit Edwards’ Museum which showcases some of the company’s history and technologies, and go back in time to visit a tribute to the company’s founder, Miles Lowell Edwards, and his workshop where the early innovation began.
   

ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
 

Scott Ullem
Chief Financial Officer
Scott Ullem has been chief financial officer since 2014. He is responsible for leading Edwards’ global finance organization. In addition, Ullem has executive responsibility for the company’s information technology, information security, risk management, indirect sourcing, and corporate services teams. He also led the creation of Edwards’ Social Impact Investment Fund to expand access to capital in underserved communities. Prior to joining Edwards, he served as chief financial officer of Bemis Company Inc., a S&P 500 supplier of packaging and pressure sensitive materials used in leading food, consumer, and healthcare products. Ullem was also the executive leader of one of Bemis' three business segments. Prior to Bemis, Ullem was an investment banker for 17 years, serving as a managing director at Goldman Sachs and later at Bank of America. As an investment banker, Ullem worked with public and private companies in multiple industries on mergers and acquisitions as well as equity and debt financing. Ullem currently serves on the board of directors of Illumina as well as Berry Global. He is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute. Ullem received his bachelor's degree in political science from DePauw University and his master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.

Daveen Chopra
Corporate Vice President
Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies
Daveen Chopra joined Edwards Lifesciences as corporate vice president, Surgical Structural Heart, in May 2018, and assumed leadership of Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies in January 2023. Chopra has broad experience in the medical technology industry, including global leadership in strategy, marketing, commercial operations, research and development, and program management. Prior to joining Edwards, Chopra held various roles with increasing levels of responsibility at Medtronic, plc, from 2005 to 2018, culminating in a global leadership role as vice president and general manager of its aortic franchise. Chopra previously served as vice president of global marketing leading Medtronic’s endovascular therapies business. While in Medtronic’s endovascular therapies business, he served as vice president, U.S. commercial operations, director of program management office, senior business manager for the endovascular and peripheral business in Asia-Pacific, global group product manager for thoracic stent grafts, and international aortic product manager. Prior to Medtronic, Chopra served as an international strategy consultant at The Parthenon Group supporting clients in various industries ranging from education to industrial manufacturing. In 2021, he joined the board of Octane. Chopra earned a dual bachelor’s degree in economics and biology from Duke University, and a masters from Harvard Business School, where he graduated with honors.

AGENDA:

• 5:00 to 6:00:  Reception and Open House
• 6:00 to 6:30:  Edwards Overview by Scott Ullem
• 6:30 to 6:45:  TMTT Overview by Daveen Chopra
• 6:45 to 7:00:  Edwards Financial Overview by Scott Ullem
• 7:00 to 7:25:  Fireside Chat moderated by Mark Wilser with Scott Ullem and Daveen Chopra
• 7:25 to 7:30:  Patient Video and Closing Remarks
• 7:30 to 8:00:  Optional Post-Evening Mingling

 
ABOUT EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES:
 
Founded in 1958 by Miles "Lowell" Edwards, a visionary engineer with over 60 patents, Edwards Lifesciences has grown into a global leader in patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring. The company's unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes is evident in their industry-leading R&D investment (15-16% of sales) and their "Every Heartbeat Matters" initiative, which aims to impact the global burden of heart valve disease.
 
Edwards' Irvine campus, a testament to their commitment to innovation and employee well-being, features state-of-the-art research facilities, collaborative spaces, and sustainable design elements. This environment fosters the creativity and passion that drive Edwards' continued leadership in cardiovascular care.
 
Delicious Appetizers, Drinks, and Parking included.
 
Space is limited, and, based on our 2017 sold-out event, we expect tickets to go quickly. Register now to secure your spot! We welcome you to what promises to be one of HBSAOC's most exceptional events, ever!