Kweli P. Thompson, MD, MPH

As Executive Vice President and President of the Neuroscience Portfolio at Medtronic, the global leader in medical technology, Thompson leads a portfolio that impacts the lives of approximately eight million people each year — roughly one person every four seconds — and generates nearly $10 billion in annual revenue. He directs operating units that partner with specialists across movement disorders, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, pain management, otorhinolaryngology (ENT), neurology, urology, and spine surgery. Under his leadership, the Neuroscience team delivers innovative, market shaping technologies that improve outcomes for people with some of the most complex neurological and musculoskeletal conditions worldwide.

Previously, Thompson served as Senior Vice President and President of the Cardiac Rhythm Management operating unit at Medtronic. His prior leadership roles include Vice President and General Manager of the Defibrillation Solutions business; head of the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapies business; Vice President of Clinical Affairs for the Cardiac and Vascular Group; Vice President of Global Marketing for the Endovascular Innovations business; and Vice President of Global Clinical Research for the Cardiovascular business. In that role, he led an unprecedented collaboration with the United States Food and Drug Administration, multiple stent manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and the Harvard Clinical Research Institute to design a comprehensive international clinical study.

Dr. Thompson has been recognized by Savoy magazine as one of the Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America.  A committed servant leader dedicated to helping others achieve their goals and objectives, Thompson has served on the board of The Blake School (Minneapolis) and he currently serves on the board of the world-renowned Guthrie Theater. He is also a published author on cardiac stents and training procedures. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College, a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School, and a Doctor of Medicine from the Harvard Medical School.