Children's Wisconsin Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Children's Wisconsin has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, finance, medical affairs, and development.

Driven by a commitment to pediatric health, Children's Wisconsin provides comprehensive care for children with diverse illnesses and injuries, impacting communities across Wisconsin and beyond.

Leadership Roles at Children's Wisconsin

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Gil Peri
  • Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO - Juliya Buettner
  • Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Marc Cadieux
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Cinthia Christensen
  • Foundation For The Health System President & Chief Development Officer - Margaret Nelson
  • President, Primary Care, Children's Wisconsin - Michael Gutzeit
  • President, Medical Staff - Danny Thomas
  • Chief Medical Officer - Rainer Gedeit
  • Chief Medical Officer, Neonatologist - Paul Myers
  • Associate Chief Medical Officer - Michelle Linsmeier
  • Gil Peri - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Gil Peri, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Children's Wisconsin, directs the overall strategic vision and operational execution for the health system. Peri guides the organization's mission to provide exceptional pediatric care, ensuring alignment with market needs and advancements in medical science. This leadership role involves fostering innovation across all departments, from clinical services to research initiatives, and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, including the board of directors and community partners. The focus remains on enhancing patient outcomes and expanding access to specialized pediatric services throughout Wisconsin and surrounding regions. Peri's executive oversight ensures the health system's long-term sustainability and its continued impact on child health. The President & Chief Executive Officer drives the organization's growth and commitment to serving children with all types of illnesses, injuries, birth defects, and other disorders, building upon the hospital's legacy as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.

    Juliya Buettner - Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO

    Juliya Buettner, the Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO at Children's Wisconsin, provides strategic support and operational coordination for the chief executive officer. Buettner manages key initiatives, facilitates communication across executive leadership, and ensures the efficient functioning of the CEO's office. This role involves preparing materials for board meetings, tracking strategic priorities, and acting as a liaison between the CEO and various departments. The Chief of Staff plays a vital part in translating the CEO's vision into actionable plans, supporting the delivery of specialized pediatric care for children with diverse medical needs. Buettner's responsibilities extend to enhancing organizational effectiveness and ensuring that the health system's operations align with its mission of serving children throughout Wisconsin and beyond. The Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO supports Gil Peri in driving strategic objectives and maintaining the high standards of care for which Children's Wisconsin is known.

    Marc Cadieux - Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Marc Cadieux, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Children's Wisconsin, directs all financial operations and fiscal strategy for the health system. Cadieux oversees budgeting, financial planning, revenue cycle management, and investment strategies to ensure the organization's financial health and sustainability. This critical role involves managing financial resources to support the delivery of comprehensive pediatric care, including specialized services for complex illnesses and injuries. The Chief Financial Officer works closely with the executive team and the board to maintain financial integrity and drive growth initiatives. Cadieux's leadership ensures that the health system can continue to invest in advanced medical technologies and expand its reach to serve children across Wisconsin and neighboring regions. The Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer is instrumental in securing the financial foundation necessary for Children's Wisconsin to operate as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and a leading provider of pediatric services.
    Marc Cadieux

    Cinthia Christensen - Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

    Cinthia Christensen, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Children's Wisconsin, manages the day-to-day operations and ensures efficient delivery of healthcare services across the system. Christensen oversees multiple departments, focusing on optimizing clinical workflows, resource allocation, and operational performance to support the organization's mission. This executive position involves collaborating with other senior leaders to implement strategic initiatives that enhance patient care quality and operational effectiveness. The Chief Operating Officer drives improvements in service delivery, ensuring that the health system can effectively manage all types of pediatric illnesses and injuries. Christensen's responsibilities include overseeing the integration of new technologies and processes to maintain the hospital's status as a leading pediatric care provider. The Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer ensures seamless operations for patients from Wisconsin, Michigan, northern Illinois, and beyond, reinforcing the system's commitment to accessible, high-quality care.

    Margaret Nelson - Foundation For The Health System President & Chief Development Officer

    Margaret Nelson, the Foundation For The Health System President & Chief Development Officer at Children's Wisconsin, leads philanthropic efforts and fundraising strategies to support the health system's mission. Nelson oversees all aspects of development, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, and community engagement, to secure vital resources for pediatric care, research, and facility enhancements. This executive role is crucial for advancing the organization's capacity to treat children with diverse illnesses and injuries. The Chief Development Officer works to cultivate relationships with donors and stakeholders, ensuring sustained financial support for Children's Wisconsin's programs and services. Nelson's leadership drives the foundation's ability to fund critical initiatives, enabling the hospital to maintain its status as a leading pediatric provider in Wisconsin and beyond. The Foundation For The Health System President & Chief Development Officer plays a key part in the long-term growth and impact of the health system.

    Michael Gutzeit - President, Primary Care, Children's Wisconsin

    Michael Gutzeit, the President, Primary Care at Children's Wisconsin, directs the strategy and operations for the health system's primary care services. Gutzeit oversees a network of clinics dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality pediatric care to children throughout Wisconsin. This leadership role focuses on enhancing patient experience, improving health outcomes, and ensuring comprehensive care coordination for routine check-ups, immunizations, and management of common childhood illnesses. The President, Primary Care works to integrate primary care with specialized services, ensuring seamless transitions for patients requiring advanced medical attention. Gutzeit's commitment is to strengthen the foundation of child health by making essential pediatric services readily available to families across the region. Michael Gutzeit drives the expansion and excellence of primary care services, reinforcing Children's Wisconsin's role as a comprehensive provider for all pediatric health needs.
    Michael Gutzeit

    Danny Thomas - President, Medical Staff

    Danny Thomas, the President, Medical Staff at Children's Wisconsin, serves as a key liaison between the physician community and the health system's leadership. Thomas advocates for the needs and professional development of the medical staff, ensuring their alignment with the organization's clinical goals and patient care standards. This role involves fostering collaboration among physicians, supporting quality improvement efforts, and contributing to strategic planning related to medical services. The President, Medical Staff plays an important part in maintaining a high-performing clinical environment that addresses a wide range of pediatric illnesses and injuries. Thomas's leadership helps to ensure that the medical staff is well-equipped to provide exceptional care to children throughout Wisconsin and beyond. Danny Thomas champions the interests of physicians, contributing to the overall excellence and effectiveness of Children's Wisconsin's medical services.
    Danny Thomas

    Rainer Gedeit - Chief Medical Officer

    Rainer Gedeit, the Chief Medical Officer at Children's Wisconsin, leads clinical strategy and medical affairs across the health system. Gedeit oversees physician engagement, quality improvement initiatives, and the implementation of evidence-based medical practices to ensure the highest standards of pediatric care. This executive position involves collaborating with clinical teams to address complex pediatric illnesses, injuries, and congenital disorders. The Chief Medical Officer plays a crucial role in shaping the medical direction of the organization, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in patient care. Gedeit's leadership ensures that Children's Wisconsin remains at the forefront of pediatric medicine, providing advanced treatments and comprehensive services to children from Wisconsin and surrounding areas. The Chief Medical Officer champions patient safety and clinical outcomes, reinforcing the hospital's commitment as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and a trusted provider of specialized care.

    Paul Myers - Chief Medical Officer, Neonatologist

    Paul Myers, the Chief Medical Officer, Neonatologist at Children's Wisconsin, provides specialized medical leadership with a focus on neonatal care and critical infant health. Myers guides the strategic direction for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and related services, ensuring the highest quality of care for the most vulnerable patients. This role involves overseeing clinical protocols, advancing research in neonatology, and collaborating with teams to manage complex infant conditions, birth defects, and developmental disorders. The Chief Medical Officer, Neonatologist contributes significantly to the health system's overall medical strategy, particularly in areas requiring advanced neonatal expertise. Myers's dedication supports the mission of providing comprehensive care to infants across Wisconsin and beyond, reinforcing Children's Wisconsin's capabilities in treating premature and critically ill newborns. This leadership ensures the continued excellence in neonatal services offered by the health system.

    Michelle Linsmeier - Associate Chief Medical Officer

    Michelle Linsmeier, the Associate Chief Medical Officer at Children's Wisconsin, supports the Chief Medical Officer in overseeing clinical operations and medical quality initiatives. Linsmeier assists in the development and implementation of strategies aimed at enhancing patient care, safety, and clinical outcomes across the health system. This position involves working closely with medical departments to ensure adherence to best practices and regulatory requirements. The Associate Chief Medical Officer contributes to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in pediatric medicine, addressing diverse medical needs from common illnesses to complex conditions. Linsmeier's role is vital in supporting the health system's commitment to providing exceptional care to children throughout Wisconsin and surrounding regions. Michelle Linsmeier aids in the strategic direction of medical affairs, reinforcing Children's Wisconsin's dedication to pediatric health excellence.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Children's Wisconsin Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Children's Wisconsin?
    Children's Wisconsin is led by Gil Peri (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Juliya Buettner (Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO) and Marc Cadieux (Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Children's Wisconsin’s executive team?
    The executive team of Children's Wisconsin includes leaders such as Gil Peri (President & Chief Executive Officer), Juliya Buettner (Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO), Marc Cadieux (Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Children's Wisconsin have?
    Children's Wisconsin has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Children's Wisconsin’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Children's Wisconsin includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Foundation For The Health System President & Chief Development Officer.