In a post on LinkedIn, Venkatesh wrote:
“After building a strategic asset and strengthening institutional competence in sustainability, my tenure as Medtronic’s inaugural Chief Sustainability Officer has come to a close.”
Venkatesh did not provide a reason for his departure. He assumed the position as the medtech giant’s first CSO in February 2024. He held responsibility for leading the development and execution of the company’s environmental sustainability strategy.
“It was my honor to serve in this pioneering role — to help architect a vision, tenets, and strategy for enterprise-wide sustainability, and to lead a high-performing global team of subject-matter experts,” Venkatesh said. “Together we advanced Medtronic’s standing on many benchmarks, and built sustainability into a driver of business value, institutional resilience, and stakeholder credibility.”
Venkatesh said Ken Washington, Medtronic’s SVP and chief technology and innovation officer, was instrumental in creating the role in the first place. Washington himself departed from his post at Medtronic in November 2025.
“I am grateful to Ken Washington, PhD, who foresaw the need for this role, my leadership team (CSO Team One) and the global CSO organization, cross-functional supporters, business partners across the U.S. and around the world, and my amazing EA, Penny DeMars,” Venkatesh wrote. “With the strong foundation in place, I wish the team continued success on this important journey.
“As I look ahead, I am excited to continue helping organizations scale strategy, results, and purpose-driven growth.”
Another exec departs Medtronic
There has been a series of executive changes at Medtronic over the past year or two, with the departures of Venkatesh and Washington just two of several personnel moves.
In May, Medtronic announced that Brett Wall was set to depart from his role as EVP and president of its Neuroscience portfolio.
Other moves include the recent switch by Jason Weidman, who was SVP and president of Coronary and Renal Denervation at Medtronic, but was named CEO at Teleflex in April.
Other noteworthy departures include EVP and President of Cardiovascular, Sean Salmon, who left last year, about six months before Washington. Salmon followed EVP and Medical Surgical President Bob White and CFO Karen Parkhill, who left in 2024.
