Orthofix named an interim CEO, interim CFO and interim chief legal officer following an independent investigation unveiling "repeated inappropriate and offensive conduct," the company said Sept. 12.
Catherine Burzik is interim CEO, Geoffrey Gillespie is interim CFO and Puja Leekha is interim chief legal officer, according to a news release. Keith Valentine, John Bostjancic and Patrick Keran were fired from the respective roles, and Mr. Valentine was asked to resign from the board.
"Orthofix's core values are built around fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture that is respectful, and we do not condone harassing or inappropriate conduct or statements of any kind," Ms. Burzik said in the release. "We require all employees — and especially our leaders — to behave in accordance with the Company’s values. The Board did not make these decisions lightly. We believe they are necessary to ensure our employees, investors, customers, and other stakeholders have confidence in the Company’s leaders."
Ms. Burzik was Orthofix's board chair from 2021 to 2022, and she assumed the role of lead independent director of the combined board after the company's merger with SeaSpine. Mr. Gillespie has been vice president-corporate controller since May 2021. Ms. Leekha joined Orthofix in 2023 as senior vice president, chief ethics and compliance officer.
A search for permanent replacements is underway.