Michael Barbella, Managing Editor12.15.23
Venus Concept Inc. has promoted Dr. Hemanth Varghese to the newly created role of president and chief operating officer (COO), reporting to CEO Rajiv De Silva.
Varghese joined Venus Concept last fall as president and chief business officer. His responsibilities were later expanded to include the chief innovation officer role as well. Varghese has helped develop and execute the company’s turnaround strategy. In his new role, Varghese will assume global oversight of sales and marketing, and technical operations in addition to his ongoing responsibility for corporate development, R&D, and clinical affairs. Ross Portaro, executive vice president and general manager of Global Sales and Marketing, and William McGrail, senior vice president, Technical Operations and Compliance, report directly to Varghese.
“I am delighted to have Hemanth as our new president and chief operating officer, who will continue to build on our strong achievements to date with our new company strategy,” De Silva said. “His past success and experience in driving business transformations and high-level corporate strategy development coupled with the progress he has made at Venus Concept over the last year, positions him well to lead our key operational business functions and execute this next phase of our strategic plan.”
In addition to promoting Varghese, Venus Concept als hired Kirk Gunhus as vice president and general manager of International Sales and Marketing. Gunhus reports directly to Ross Portaro and will be responsible for leading all commercial operations in the company’s direct international markets and managing its global distribution partner network.
Gunhus is a seasoned aesthetics industry professional with more than 20 years of experience leading commercial organizations in international markets with experience at companies such as Medicis, Zeltiq, Sientra, and MiraDry.
“We are excited to have Kirk’s leadership experience and successful track record in driving commercial performance in high-growth markets around the globe,” Portaro stated. “As we continue to reshape our international footprint, Kirk’s deep industry knowledge and experience in expanding international partner networks will be an important driver of future growth in the business.”
Venus Concept is a global medical aesthetic technology leader with a product portfolio of minimally invasive and non-invasive medical aesthetic and hair restoration technologies. With a sales and marketing presence in more than 60 countries and 14 direct markets, Venus Concept’s products comprise aesthetic device platforms, including Venus Versa, Venus Legacy, Venus Velocity, Venus Fiore, Venus Viva, Venus Glow, Venus Bliss, Venus BlissMAX, Venus Epileve, Venus Viva MD, and AI.ME. Venus Concept’s hair restoration systems include NeoGraft and the ARTAS iX Robotic Hair Restoration system. Venus Concept has been backed by healthcare industry growth equity investors including EW Healthcare Partners (formerly Essex Woodlands), HealthQuest Capital, Longitude Capital Management, Aperture Venture Partners, and Masters Special Situations.
Varghese joined Venus Concept last fall as president and chief business officer. His responsibilities were later expanded to include the chief innovation officer role as well. Varghese has helped develop and execute the company’s turnaround strategy. In his new role, Varghese will assume global oversight of sales and marketing, and technical operations in addition to his ongoing responsibility for corporate development, R&D, and clinical affairs. Ross Portaro, executive vice president and general manager of Global Sales and Marketing, and William McGrail, senior vice president, Technical Operations and Compliance, report directly to Varghese.
“I am delighted to have Hemanth as our new president and chief operating officer, who will continue to build on our strong achievements to date with our new company strategy,” De Silva said. “His past success and experience in driving business transformations and high-level corporate strategy development coupled with the progress he has made at Venus Concept over the last year, positions him well to lead our key operational business functions and execute this next phase of our strategic plan.”
In addition to promoting Varghese, Venus Concept als hired Kirk Gunhus as vice president and general manager of International Sales and Marketing. Gunhus reports directly to Ross Portaro and will be responsible for leading all commercial operations in the company’s direct international markets and managing its global distribution partner network.
Gunhus is a seasoned aesthetics industry professional with more than 20 years of experience leading commercial organizations in international markets with experience at companies such as Medicis, Zeltiq, Sientra, and MiraDry.
“We are excited to have Kirk’s leadership experience and successful track record in driving commercial performance in high-growth markets around the globe,” Portaro stated. “As we continue to reshape our international footprint, Kirk’s deep industry knowledge and experience in expanding international partner networks will be an important driver of future growth in the business.”
Venus Concept is a global medical aesthetic technology leader with a product portfolio of minimally invasive and non-invasive medical aesthetic and hair restoration technologies. With a sales and marketing presence in more than 60 countries and 14 direct markets, Venus Concept’s products comprise aesthetic device platforms, including Venus Versa, Venus Legacy, Venus Velocity, Venus Fiore, Venus Viva, Venus Glow, Venus Bliss, Venus BlissMAX, Venus Epileve, Venus Viva MD, and AI.ME. Venus Concept’s hair restoration systems include NeoGraft and the ARTAS iX Robotic Hair Restoration system. Venus Concept has been backed by healthcare industry growth equity investors including EW Healthcare Partners (formerly Essex Woodlands), HealthQuest Capital, Longitude Capital Management, Aperture Venture Partners, and Masters Special Situations.