“Guiding Global Access with Vision, Compassion, and Impact for Every Patient”
Mary Cantu, MHA, is a dynamic and widely respected executive with more than two decades of experience in global market access, reimbursement strategy, and healthcare policy. A trusted voice across the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, Mary has held influential leadership roles within Fortune 500 companies and high-growth healthcare organizations alike—helping to shape how cutting-edge innovations gain access to markets and patients worldwide.
Currently serving as Vice President of Global Market Access, Mary brings unmatched expertise in building and executing comprehensive, product-specific strategies that ensure optimal coding, payment, and coverage across a wide range of healthcare environments. From ophthalmic devices to joint reconstruction technologies and diabetes care, she has consistently driven outcomes that enhance product value, elevate patient access, and support sustainable commercial success.
Mary’s work is grounded in a deep, technical understanding of reimbursement structures and healthcare systems across both domestic and international markets. She has led successful market access and payment strategies in the U.S., as well as in regions as diverse as the Middle East, South Korea, India, and Latin America. Her ability to work across multiple payment models—including bundled payments and value-based schemes—has led to significant milestones such as new CPT and DRG codes, positive Health Technology Assessments, and favorable coverage determinations by both government and private payers.
What sets Mary apart is her ability to work cross-functionally and cross-culturally. She partners closely with regional commercial teams, R&D, clinical research, legal, and medical affairs to align market access strategies with broader product and business goals. A frequent contributor to leadership committees and advisory boards, Mary is a sought-after strategic advisor who brings the voice of reimbursement into every stage of product development and lifecycle management. Whether shaping target product profiles, co-authoring manuscripts accepted by national journals, or building real-world evidence strategies, she ensures that access and value are central pillars of innovation.
In her previous roles, including Sr. Director of International Market Access and Director of Global Market Access for Joint Reconstruction, Mary built high-performing global teams and played a central role in expanding reimbursement operations, improving HTA outcomes, and advocating for new technologies with key stakeholders, including physicians, policymakers, and industry groups. She also created and scaled internal call centers, reimbursement training programs, and payer engagement resources that helped transform how organizations approach payer conversations and value communication.
Mary is not only an operational expert but also a strategic visionary. Her leadership has enabled the successful commercialization of numerous technologies through carefully orchestrated health economics strategies, value dossiers, budget impact models, and payer-facing tools. Her insights into Medicare, Medicaid, and global healthcare legislation allow her to anticipate changes, mitigate risks, and identify emerging opportunities for market expansion.
Outside of her core responsibilities, Mary is deeply engaged with the broader healthcare ecosystem. She actively participates in industry groups such as AdvaMed, ISPOR, MedTech Europe, and therapeutic-specific societies like AAO and ASCRS. As a Spanish-speaking leader and skilled public speaker, she represents her companies at global conferences and policy forums, advocating for access, innovation, and patient-centric care around the world.
Mary earned her Master of Science in Health Care Administration from The University of Texas at Arlington and her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Her colleagues and partners know her not only for her technical acumen but also for her integrity, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare access globally.
In every role, Mary Cantu brings clarity, credibility, and compassion to the complex world of healthcare access—ensuring that life-changing technologies reach the patients who need them, when they need them most.
Character
Mary Cantu is a purpose-driven leader known for her integrity, resilience, and commitment to improving patient access to life-changing healthcare innovations. She leads with humility and focus, consistently earning the trust of cross-functional teams, external stakeholders, and global partners through her ethical approach and unwavering dedication.
Knowledge
With over 20 years of experience in global market access and reimbursement strategy, Mary possesses deep subject matter expertise in healthcare systems, payment mechanisms, and regulatory environments across U.S. and international markets. Her comprehensive understanding of coding, coverage, and payment frameworks makes her a highly sought-after expert in shaping health policy and enabling successful market entry.
Strategic
Mary brings a strategic mindset to every challenge, aligning clinical, commercial, and policy objectives to build access strategies that drive business growth and patient outcomes. She consistently anticipates market shifts, crafts forward-thinking solutions, and integrates value-based approaches that maximize opportunity for both pipeline and in-market products.
Communication
An accomplished communicator and collaborative leader, Mary excels in translating complex economic and policy concepts into compelling value propositions for diverse audiences. Whether engaging with government agencies, physician societies, or internal leadership teams, she articulates strategies with clarity and impact, inspiring alignment and action across all levels.
