Kristi Payne Benitez is currently Vice President, Compensation and Benefits for the medical device company C.R. Bard, Inc. Ms. Payne Benitez works directly with Bard's Board of Directors and executive management in the design and development of executive and non-executive compensation programs to align management' s efforts and results with  the  success of the company. She is also responsible for the design and implementation of employee benefit plans and programs at the company's U.S. and international offices and has primary responsibility for compensation and benefits matters in corporate transactions, legal compliance and required SEC disclosures.

Ms. Payne Benitez joined C.R. Bard in 2008 from the pharmaceutical company, Schering-Plough Corp., where she was Legal Director, Corporate Law for more than 5 years. At Schering-Plough, she was lead counsel for compensation and benefit plan design, governance, legal compliance, administration, communication and disclosure. Prior to joining Schering­ Plough, Kristi was Assistant General Counsel, Compensation and Benefits for Pharmacia Corporation.

Ms. Payne Benitez began her legal career as an associate with Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobsen in the Employee Benefits and Executive compensation practice group. Following Fried Frank, she was an associate in the Employee Benefits group at Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam and Roberts.