Merz Aesthetics Expands U.S. Leadership Team With Appointment of Sales and Marketing Veterans to Drive National Growth Strategy
Merz Aesthetics, the world’s largest company solely dedicated to the field of medical aesthetics, has announced the appointment of two highly experienced executives to strengthen its commercial leadership team in North America. The company revealed that Chris Van Dyk has been named Vice President of U.S. Sales, while DJ Sethares has joined as Vice President of U.S. Marketing. These appointments represent a strategic investment in leadership as Merz Aesthetics continues to expand its market share and enhance brand performance across the United States.
In their new roles, Van Dyk and Sethares will take the helm of national sales and marketing operations, respectively, bringing with them a wealth of experience, proven leadership acumen, and a shared commitment to driving innovation, customer engagement, and business growth across the Merz Aesthetics brand portfolio.
Building a Stronger U.S. Commercial Foundation
As part of Merz Aesthetics’ broader efforts to reinforce its leadership team and support the company’s next phase of growth in the United States, the appointments of Van Dyk and Sethares are designed to bring sharper focus to commercial execution, operational excellence, and customer-centric strategies in a highly competitive and evolving aesthetic medicine market.
Both executives will be based at Merz Aesthetics’ global headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, where they will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver on strategic priorities and long-term value creation.
“These key appointments come at a pivotal time as we accelerate our commercial strategy and seek to elevate the Merz Aesthetics experience for providers and patients across the U.S.,” said Patrick Urban, President of Merz Aesthetics North America. “Chris and DJ are both world-class leaders who bring not only exceptional experience and vision, but also a deep understanding of what it takes to win in dynamic, competitive healthcare markets. We are thrilled to welcome them to our team and look forward to the positive impact they will bring to our business and our customers.”
Chris Van Dyk: From Canadian Transformation to U.S. Sales Leadership
Van Dyk most recently served as Country Manager for Merz Aesthetics Canada, a role he assumed in 2022. During his tenure, he led the Canadian organization through a successful phase of commercial transformation and operational growth. Under his leadership, Merz Aesthetics Canada strengthened its market position, achieved significant revenue gains, and fostered strong partnerships with healthcare providers throughout the country. His ability to lead with clarity, accountability, and strategic discipline helped reshape the Canadian business into a more agile and customer-focused organization.
Now, in his new role as Vice President of U.S. Sales, Van Dyk will be responsible for leading all field sales operations across the United States. His mandate includes enhancing customer relationships, optimizing salesforce performance, and delivering consistent, scalable growth across the company’s aesthetics product lines.
With more than two decades of experience across the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, Van Dyk brings a diverse and accomplished track record of commercial leadership. Prior to joining Merz Aesthetics, he held senior positions at several global healthcare giants, including Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, and Alcon, where he managed high-performing teams and led market expansion initiatives in various therapeutic areas.
Van Dyk is widely recognized for his ability to inspire accountability and foster high-performance cultures rooted in executional excellence. His leadership philosophy prioritizes operational clarity, customer trust, and a collaborative approach that builds long-term value for both stakeholders and patients.
“I am honored to take on this new role with Merz Aesthetics and lead the U.S. sales organization at such an exciting moment in the company’s journey,” said Van Dyk. “I look forward to working with our talented teams across the country to further strengthen our provider partnerships, deliver differentiated value, and drive sustained growth in the years ahead.”
DJ Sethares: A Veteran Marketing Leader Joins the Aesthetics Movement
In parallel with Van Dyk’s appointment, Merz Aesthetics also welcomed DJ Sethares as its new Vice President of U.S. Marketing. Sethares joins the company following an impressive 11-year career at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and ViiV Healthcare, where she held numerous senior leadership positions spanning commercial strategy, sales, and global marketing functions.
Most recently, she served as Vice President of Marketing for GSK’s Vaccine Business Unit, where she led U.S. marketing operations and brand strategy across multiple therapeutic areas. In that role, she played a central role in launching and managing commercial campaigns that contributed to strong performance in a highly competitive immunization landscape.
Sethares brings over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, with a demonstrated ability to build strong, agile marketing teams and shape brand narratives that resonate deeply with healthcare professionals and consumers alike. Her appointment signals a deliberate effort by Merz Aesthetics to further integrate strategic marketing with customer engagement and brand differentiation.
Known for her collaborative and “people-first” leadership style, Sethares places a strong emphasis on cultivating positive team culture, leveraging diverse strengths, and aligning teams around a shared vision of impact and innovation.
“I am thrilled to join Merz Aesthetics and contribute to an organization that is not only a leader in the medical aesthetics space but also deeply committed to empowering people to look and feel their best,” said Sethares. “Marketing plays a critical role in elevating brand value and customer trust, and I’m excited to help drive creative, purpose-driven strategies that expand access, inspire confidence, and drive results across the U.S. market.”
A Strategic Inflection Point for Merz Aesthetics
The announcement of these new executive hires comes as Merz Aesthetics continues to experience strong growth momentum in the global aesthetics market. The company has doubled down on its investment in innovation, digital engagement, and customer-centric solutions as it aims to redefine the future of aesthetic medicine.
Backed by a diverse portfolio of leading aesthetic products—including Xeomin®, Radiesse®, Belotero®, and the Ultherapy® system—Merz Aesthetics remains focused on expanding its reach, deepening provider partnerships, and delivering high-quality outcomes for aesthetic patients worldwide.
With the U.S. representing one of the largest and most competitive markets for aesthetic products, the company’s ability to bring in seasoned executives with deep commercial expertise reflects a broader strategic commitment to excellence and leadership.
“These additions to our U.S. executive team position us to execute at an even higher level,” said Urban. “Chris and DJ both understand how to lead through complexity, foster innovation, and deliver customer value. Their expertise will be instrumental as we pursue new opportunities, navigate market dynamics, and continue to shape the future of aesthetic medicine.”
The appointments of Chris Van Dyk and DJ Sethares mark a new chapter in Merz Aesthetics’ growth story in the United States. As the company continues to evolve in an increasingly personalized, data-driven, and digitally enabled landscape, its commitment to top-tier leadership will be critical in navigating the road ahead.
By bringing together a unified vision for sales and marketing and equipping the organization with industry-leading talent, Merz Aesthetics is well-positioned to capture new opportunities, strengthen provider loyalty, and set new standards of excellence across the U.S. aesthetics market.
Both Van Dyk and Sethares will assume their new responsibilities immediately and report directly to Patrick Urban. Their presence at Merz Aesthetics’ global headquarters in Raleigh reflects the company’s enduring commitment to building a vibrant leadership ecosystem at the heart of its operations.
