Oak Brook, Illinois — January 20, 2026 — Leads & Copy — WittKieffer, a leadership advisory and executive search firm, has announced the appointment of Akhil Saklecha, MD, as a Managing Director on its Global Investor-Backed Markets team.
Dr. Saklecha will focus on expanding the firm’s work with diagnostics, digital health, and medical device companies, as well as early-stage venture capital firms and the innovation arms of medical centers.
WittKieffer said Dr. Saklecha’s appointment will strengthen its position as a leadership advisory and executive search partner. He brings a combination of clinical expertise, investment leadership, and technology innovation experience, WittKieffer said.
Before joining WittKieffer, Dr. Saklecha was Chief Scientific Officer for Acute Care at Danaher, leading science and technology strategy across diagnostics and overseeing diligence for M&A and venture investments. He also served as Managing Director of Cleveland Clinic Ventures, managing over $75 million in early-stage investments, and as General Partner at Artiman Ventures, helping launch and scale healthcare and technology startups.
Earlier in his career, he was CEO of a venture-backed diagnostic company and held physician executive roles at Aultman Hospital and its affiliates.
Dr. Saklecha is Board-Certified in Emergency Medicine and continues to practice part-time at Cleveland Clinic. He is a board member of multiple venture-backed companies. He graduated from Northeast Ohio Medical University’s accelerated BS/MD program and received his MBA from the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business. He is based in Akron, Ohio.
In his new role, Dr. Saklecha will collaborate with teams across WittKieffer’s markets and solutions to support clients operating at the convergence of clinical innovation, scientific discovery, and investment. His experience aligns with the firm’s work with venture-backed and growth-stage organizations, enabling WittKieffer to guide leaders navigating interconnected markets, the company said.
Michael Castleman, Chief Business Officer and Executive Partner of WittKieffer, said Dr. Saklecha’s background is suited to the needs of today’s investor-backed healthcare and life sciences markets. Dr. Saklecha said WittKieffer’s leadership and connectivity across the healthcare, life sciences, and academic medicine ecosystem are important.
WittKieffer works with organizations in healthcare, life sciences, and education. It helps clients solve problems through executive search, interim leadership, and leadership advisory services.
Contact: Paul Thomas WittKieffer 6306325797 pthomas@wittkieffer.com
Source: WittKieffer
