Bryan J. Stewart

Leadership. Character. Results.

Serving mission-focused,

values-led leaders and organizations

to plan, grow, lead and serve

with passion and purpose.

Board Director | Governance Expert | CEO | Entrepreneur | Veteran

PDA CertifieD in Private Company Governance and ESOP Essentials

Biography

Mr. Stewart is a distinguished board member, certified governance expert, and accomplished executive with extensive experience ​serving in fiduciary and advisory roles across corporate, non-profit, education, and government boards. As the founding President ​of the Alabama chapter of the Private Directors Association (PDA), Bryan has helped shape governance practices for private ​companies. He has completed certification programs on Private Company Governance and ESOP Essentials. He is also a ​recognized author and speaker on leadership, entrepreneurship, and corporate governance.

Approach & Value

As a seasoned board director, I help organizations navigate complex governance challenges, strategic growth, and financial ​oversight. I specialize in CEO succession planning, risk management, strategy, and driving sustainable organizational growth. ​Whether guiding through crisis situations, facilitating seamless leadership transitions, or optimizing board governance structures, I ​focus on building strong, mission-driven organizations that thrive.

What sets me apart is my unique blend of expertise in both public and private sectors, supported by board certification in Private ​Company Governance and ESOP Essentials. I bring over two decades of leadership in Fortune 500 companies, private equity-​backed firms, and entrepreneurial ventures. My network of industry leaders, investors, and CXOs spans healthcare, medical ​devices, and life sciences, enabling me to connect the right people and resources to unlock growth opportunities.

I serve on boards because I’m passionate about mission-driven leadership and contributing to the long-term success of ​organizations that align with my values. I thrive on mentoring and coaching emerging leaders and am committed to fostering a ​culture of collaboration, integrity, and high performance. Serving as a board director allows me to pay forward the lessons of ​leadership I’ve gained and create a lasting impact by guiding organizations to succeed and serve their stakeholders effectively.

Board Experience

• Finance, Audit, & Operations Committee Leadership: Successfully chaired the Finance, Operations, and Audit Committee for a ​national veteran-focused non-profit, ensuring financial sustainability and operational oversight.
  
• CEO Succession Planning: Led a seamless CEO succession process, recruiting top talent and enhancing organizational stability for ​long-term success.
  
• Governance Expertise: Certified in private company governance and ESOP essentials, Bryan brings deep expertise in risk ​management, financial oversight, and board strategy to his board roles.
  

Work Experience

Bryan’s dynamic business career spans both public and private sectors. He has held leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies such ​as Medtronic, Abbott Laboratories, and Zimmer Biomet and made impactful contributions to private equity-owned firms like ​AmeriPath and Healogics. His proven ability to lead companies through growth and transformation is showcased in his current roles ​as the Founder and CEO of HDO Health, a medical device company, and Principal of The Leadership Seed, where he coaches and ​mentors emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.

As a connector and visionary leader, Bryan has built diverse, high-performance teams that deliver exceptional results. His strategic ​insight and governance experience enables him to break down silos, foster collaboration, and drive organizational growth. Bryan is ​also a founding member of The Bullpen, an invite-only network of life science investors and CXOs.

Education & Certifications

Private ​Company ​governance

esop

essentials

Thought Leadership

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