⚠ Leadership Update: Michael C. Kaufmann served as CEO of Cardinal Health from January 2018 to September 2022. The current CEO is Jason Hollar (since September 1, 2022). This page is maintained as a historical reference.
Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH), one of the largest healthcare services and products companies in the world, is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. Former Cardinal Health CEO Michael C. Kaufmann led the Fortune 15 company from January 2018 through September 2022, overseeing a global workforce of approximately 44,000 employees and annual revenues exceeding $180 billion. A 32-year company veteran, Kaufmann rose through the ranks from controller at a distribution center to the corner office, guiding Cardinal Health through the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating complex opioid litigation settlements, and orchestrating strategic initiatives including the landmark CVS Health joint venture that created Red Oak Sourcing.
Read on to discover Cardinal Health CEO email address, Michael Kaufmann net worth, salary and compensation, career history, education, and more.
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Michael Kaufmann – Quick Facts
Cardinal Health Competitors
Cardinal Health operates in the highly concentrated pharmaceutical distribution and healthcare services industry. Together with its two primary rivals, Cardinal Health controls over 90% of the U.S. drug distribution market. The key competitors include:
- McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) – the largest U.S. healthcare distributor by revenue
- Cencora, Inc. (formerly AmerisourceBergen; NYSE: COR) – the second-largest pharmaceutical distributor
- Owens & Minor (NYSE: OMI) – medical/surgical supply distribution competitor
- Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) – healthcare products and services distribution
- Medline Industries – private medical supply manufacturer and distributor
- CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS) – integrated pharmacy and healthcare services
- Becton, Dickinson & Co. (NYSE: BDX) – medical technology and supplies
- Baxter International (NYSE: BAX) – medical products and hospital supplies
Michael Kaufmann Net Worth 2026 – Cardinal Health CEO Salary
As of 2026, Michael Kaufmann’s net worth is estimated at approximately $25–30 million USD. This estimate is based on his cumulative compensation during his tenure at Cardinal Health, his $6.75 million cash severance payment upon departure, approximately $17.8 million in long-term incentive awards, and his historical stock holdings. Kaufmann’s net worth as of January 2020 was estimated at approximately $20.7 million based on SEC insider filings, and subsequent severance and vested equity would have increased this figure considerably.
Cardinal Health CEO Compensation – Michael Kaufmann (FY2019–FY2022)
Key Insight: Kaufmann’s annual compensation declined from $15.6M to $12.5M between FY2019 and FY2021 as the board reduced bonus payouts to reflect the financial impact of opioid litigation settlements. Upon his departure in September 2022, he received a $6.75 million cash severance, a $419,425 pro-rated bonus, and approximately $17.8 million in long-term incentive awards, plus $3.2 million in additional severance benefits.
Cardinal Health Net Worth 2026 – Is Cardinal Health Profitable?
Yes, Cardinal Health is a highly profitable Fortune 15 company. Under current CEO Jason Hollar, the company continues to deliver strong financial results. For fiscal year 2024 (ended June 2024), Cardinal Health reported revenue of $226.8 billion and GAAP net income of $852 million. The company generated an all-time high operating cash flow of $3.76 billion. As of February 2026, Cardinal Health’s market capitalization stands at approximately $52–54 billion, with the stock trading near all-time highs above $220 per share.
Cardinal Health Financial Summary
FY2025 Update: For the first half of fiscal year 2025 (H1 ended December 2024), Cardinal Health reported revenue of $107.5 billion and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $3.81 (up 6% YoY). The company raised its full-year FY2025 EPS guidance to $7.85–$8.00. Cardinal Health’s stock has surged approximately 68% over the past year, trading near all-time highs.
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Cardinal Health CEO Email Address | Michael Kaufmann Contact
Below are the contact details and social media profiles for former Cardinal Health CEO Michael Kaufmann, along with the company’s corporate contact information:
Career & Education – Company, University, & College
Michael Kaufmann spent over 32 years at Cardinal Health, rising from an entry-level controller position at a distribution center to the chief executive office. His career exemplifies the power of internal promotion and deep institutional knowledge in a complex, highly regulated industry. Before joining Cardinal Health, Kaufmann began his career as an auditor and consultant at Arthur Andersen, one of the “Big Five” accounting firms.
Michael Kaufmann Career Timeline
Kaufmann joined Cardinal Health around 1990 as a controller at the company’s Zanesville Distribution Center. Over the next two decades, he held progressively senior roles across repackaging, retail pharmaceutical distribution, procurement, and general management. In 2007, he was appointed Group President of the Medical Segment within Healthcare Supply Chain Services.
In 2008, Kaufmann became CEO of the Pharmaceutical Segment, where he oversaw the company’s largest business division through 2014. He then transitioned to the role of Chief Financial Officer, managing investor relations, capital deployment, and global sourcing from 2014 to 2017. He played a key role in creating the Red Oak Sourcing joint venture with CVS Health and the establishment of Fuse, Cardinal Health’s technology innovation center.
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In January 2018, Kaufmann succeeded George Barrett as CEO and joined the Board of Directors. During his four-and-a-half-year tenure as CEO, he led Cardinal Health to record revenues, drove improvements in the company’s portfolio and cost structure, and managed the organization through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He stepped down on September 1, 2022, with Jason Hollar succeeding him as CEO.
Education
Kaufmann graduated from Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Management. He became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) early in his career while employed at Arthur Andersen. He later served as a trustee and executive committee member of Ohio Northern University’s board. Kaufmann graduated from Indian Creek High School in Wintersville, Ohio in 1981.
Michael Kaufmann Wiki – Age, Family, & More
Former Cardinal Health CEO Michael Kaufmann (age approximately 63 as of 2026) is based in the Columbus, Ohio area. He has described himself as “blessed with a great wife and family,” though he keeps specific details about his spouse and children private. Known for his humility and people-first leadership style, Kaufmann has spoken publicly about the challenge of balancing work and family life, noting that he intentionally schedules family time despite the demanding nature of his role. He enjoys fishing and spending weekends on the water with his family.
Notable Achievements & Recognitions
- Columbus CEO of the Year (2021) – Named Large Business CEO of the Year by Columbus CEO magazine
- HDA Nexus Award for Lifetime Achievement (2023) – Recognized by the Healthcare Distribution Alliance Research Foundation
- Institute for Women’s Leadership “Guys Who Get It” Award (2014) – Honored for championing women’s leadership
- Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Mentor (2012) – Recognized for mentoring women in healthcare
- Champion for Diversity & Inclusion – Set targets to increase women in senior roles from 40% to 48% by 2030 at Cardinal Health
- COVID-19 Supply Chain Leadership – Successfully managed Cardinal Health’s critical healthcare supply chain through the pandemic
Since departing Cardinal Health, Kaufmann has remained active in the business community. He serves on the boards of MSC Industrial Supply, Red Oak Sourcing, Ohio Northern University, and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. He is also an executive committee member of the Columbus Partnership, where he co-leads diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
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About Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health, Inc. is a global, integrated healthcare services and products company headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. Founded in 1971, it ranks among the Fortune 15 and is one of the three dominant pharmaceutical distributors in the United States. The company operates through two primary segments:
Cardinal Health trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CAH. The company serves approximately 90% of U.S. hospitals and more than 29,000 pharmacies, employing roughly 48,000 people across 35+ countries. In fiscal year 2024, Cardinal Health generated $226.8 billion in revenue, making it one of the highest-revenue companies in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the current CEO of Cardinal Health?
The current CEO of Cardinal Health is Jason Hollar, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer effective September 1, 2022. He succeeded Michael C. Kaufmann, who served as CEO from January 2018 through August 2022. For more information, see our profile of Cardinal Health CEO Jason Hollar.
What is Michael Kaufmann’s net worth?
Michael Kaufmann’s net worth is estimated at approximately $25–30 million USD as of 2026. This estimate is based on his disclosed Cardinal Health stock holdings (estimated at $20.7 million as of January 2020), his $6.75 million cash severance, approximately $17.8 million in long-term incentive awards, and other accumulated compensation over his 32-year career at the company.
What was Cardinal Health CEO Michael Kaufmann’s salary?
Michael Kaufmann’s total compensation at Cardinal Health ranged from $12.5 million to $15.6 million annually during his CEO tenure (FY2019–FY2022). In his final full year (FY2022), he earned approximately $13.5 million. Upon departure, he received a severance package worth approximately $28 million, including cash, equity, and benefits.
What is Cardinal Health CEO’s email address?
The corporate email format at Cardinal Health is [email protected]. Michael Kaufmann’s former corporate email was [email protected]. He can also be reached via LinkedIn. For general corporate inquiries, call Cardinal Health at 614-757-5000.
Why did Michael Kaufmann leave Cardinal Health?
Cardinal Health announced a leadership transition on August 11, 2022, with Michael Kaufmann stepping down as CEO and from the Board of Directors effective September 1, 2022. Jason Hollar, who had been serving as CFO, was named his successor. The change was part of a planned leadership transition. Kaufmann received a severance package and continued to be recognized for his contributions, including the HDA Nexus Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2023.
Is Cardinal Health a profitable company?
Yes, Cardinal Health is a highly profitable Fortune 15 company. In fiscal year 2024, the company reported $226.8 billion in revenue and GAAP net income of $852 million. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $7.53, up 29% year-over-year. For H1 FY2025, Cardinal Health raised its full-year EPS guidance to $7.85–$8.00, and its market capitalization exceeded $52 billion as of February 2026.
Article last updated:March 2026March 2, 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings (DEF 14A proxy statements, Form 10-K annual reports), official Cardinal Health press releases, and reputable news outlets. Net worth figures are estimates and may vary by source. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.