Meet our leadership team

Arianna Schoess Vargas is Managing Director of Heidelberg Engineering, playing a central role in steering the company’s global strategy and growth. She joined Heidelberg Engineering in 2013 and has since led business development, organizational scaling, and international expansion efforts. Arianna’s career spans business development, strategic management, and operational leadership, underpinned by a Master of Arts in Business Administration and a Bachelor in Corporate Management & Economics. Her leadership emphasizes innovation, customer focus, and technology adoption to strengthen the company’s position in ophthalmic imaging and diagnostic solutions worldwide. 

Kfir Azoulay Managing Director of Heidelberg Engineering. With more than 25 years in the ophthalmology and med-tech industry, including over a decade at Heidelberg Engineering, he has built his career at the intersection of clinical science, advanced imaging, laser technologies, and international commercialization.

Kfir leads the company’s strategic direction and global initiatives, with a focus on strengthening Heidelberg Engineering’s imaging franchise and accelerating its evolution toward workflow-integrated solutions. Prior to being announced Managing Director in July 2024, he served as Head of Strategy, where he led global business development, the launch of the company’s Surgical business, and the M&A transaction with EssilorLuxottica.

Before joining Heidelberg Engineering, Kfir served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Lumenis’ global ophthalmology business, leading the launch and scale-up of multiple ophthalmology laser products. He has also served on the board of directors of several organizations across the ophthalmology ecosystem, including G-Metrics GmbH (Germany), CloudVision Ltd. (China), Medisoft Ltd. (UK), and MLL (Germany).

Kfir holds a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he completed the Basic and Clinical Science Program in Ophthalmology (BCSCO) at Columbia University in New York, and postgraduate studies in Public Health at University College London (UCL). He is the author of several patents and publications in ophthalmology and has lived, worked, and studied in six countries.

Christian Martin is Head of Research & Development at Heidelberg Engineering, where he drives the innovation that underpins the company’s next generation of ophthalmic imaging, data management and diagnostic solutions. In this role, Christian leads interdisciplinary teams that translate scientific breakthroughs into clinically meaningful products, ensuring robust R&D execution and long-term technical vision. At Heidelberg Engineering, Christian’s commitment to scientific excellence fosters a culture of innovation that supports the company’s global mission to empower healthcare professionals with high-impact technologies.  

Dr. Stéphanie Magazzeni is Chief Scientific Officer at Heidelberg Engineering, leading clinical research and scientific strategy across the company’s portfolio. With over 25 years in medical technology and ophthalmology, Stéphanie has a proven track record in fostering international scientific collaborations and driving product innovation. Before joining Heidelberg Engineering, she held leadership roles at Carl Zeiss Meditec, where she guided global scientific partnerships and new product introductions. Stéphanie’s vision is to leverage cutting-edge technologies, rigorous clinical evidence, professional education and global expert networks in order to elevate patient care and amplify the worldwide impact of Heidelberg Engineering’s imaging solutions.

Dr. Holger Ruchatz heads the Product Management and Marketing teams at Heidelberg Engineering, bringing over 20 years of experience in product strategy and business development across the ophthalmic and life science sectors. He has led multidisciplinary teams at Prior Scientific, Vision Ophthalmology Group, and most recently at Carl Zeiss Meditec, where he was responsible for key diagnostic and surgical product lines.
At Heidelberg Engineering, Holger oversees the definition, planning, and execution of the product roadmap, translating emerging clinical needs and new technologies into sustainable growth. His approach combines forward-thinking strategy with strong market insight and clear communication to deliver impactful solutions in ophthalmology.

Hartmut Becker is Head of Global Sales at Heidelberg Engineering and a member of the management team responsible for worldwide sales and distribution. Since joining in 2023, he has led efforts to expand the company’s reach through direct subsidiaries and an extensive network of distributors in over 100 countries. Hartmut holds a degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA focused on business and financial strategy. His nearly two decades of experience in medical and life science industries included roles at Carl Zeiss Meditec and Danaher Corporation. 

Dr. Christian Kneis is Head of Operations at Heidelberg Engineering, overseeing production, supply chain, and technical support of our high-quality ophthalmic imaging and IT solutions. He brings extensive engineering and technical expertise, with a background in laser and measurement systems, operational leadership, and process development. Christian holds advanced academic qualifications in photonics and engineering, and his work focuses on optimizing internal processes, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and scaling operational capabilities to support the company’s global commitments to innovation and customer service.

Luca Pizzolon serves as Head of Finance at Heidelberg Engineering, overseeing the company’s financial strategy, planning, reporting and controls to support sustainable growth and operational excellence. In this strategic role, Luca ensures financial integrity and alignment with organizational objectives, partnering closely with the executive team to guide resource allocation, risk management and investment decisions. His work enables the company to scale globally while maintaining fiscal discipline and supporting innovation across research, product development and market expansion. With a focus on transparent financial governance and long-term value creation, Luca’s leadership strengthens Heidelberg Engineering’s ability to deliver advanced ophthalmic imaging and diagnostic solutions that improve clinical outcomes worldwide.