Jeff Hessekiel

EVP, Chief Legal & Administrative Officer

Jeff joined us as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal & Administrative Officer in November 2025.   

He is a seasoned attorney and biopharmaceutical industry leader who brings many years of experience across a range of disciplines, including corporate and commercial legal affairs, litigation, healthcare compliance, quality program management, and public policy. 

In addition to his responsibilities at Cytokinetics, Jeff currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Biocom California, the trade association representing California’s life science sector; Life Sciences Cares, a collective effort of life science companies to eliminate the impacts of poverty on neighbors, and HairToStay, a national nonprofit dedicated to making scalp-cooling treatment affordable. 

Prior to joining Cytokinetics, Jeff served as EVP and General Counsel at Exelixis from 2014 to 2025 where he led a team of over 100 legal, intellectual property, compliance, GxP quality, and government affairs and policy professionals. 

From 2012 to 2014, he was Senior Counsel at the international law firm, Arnold & Porter LLP. Before that, from 2002 to 2012, Jeff held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in the legal department at Gilead Sciences, ultimately serving as Chief Compliance & Quality Officer overseeing global compliance, quality, and internal audit services. 

From 1996 to 2002, Jeff held the positions of associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati PC, and at Heller Ehrman LLP. Prior to his legal career, Jeff also worked in the United States and abroad for several international non-governmental organizations.  

Jeff received a B.A. in Political Science from Duke University and a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University Law School and is admitted to practice in California.  

Beyond work, Jeff is a very happy and busy husband to Heather and father to four kids – Rafe, Lily, Jordan and Scarlett.  You’ll often find him working out, skiing, hiking, or cycling. He and his family are big-time foodies and have traveled widely.  He’s always searching for new travel adventures.