Pharmaceuticals
10 CHROs in Pharmaceuticals
These ten executives hold or have held the chief human resources officer or chief people officer title at pharmaceutical companies. A reader can learn from them how drugmakers organize HR, rewards and talent development and how HR leaders support culture change.
Professionals to explore
01—10Annah Litzenberger
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · Deciphera Pharmaceuticals
Chief Human Resources Officer at Deciphera Pharmaceuticals since March 2026, and Chief Human Resources Officer at Fosun Pharma USA Inc. from 2023 to 2026. She was also VP, Head of HR at Xilio Therapeutics, Inc. (2021–2023) and Global Head of Talent and Inclusion & Diversity, Pharma R&D at GSK (2020–2021).
Betty Larson
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer · Merck
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Merck since April 2024. Her other roles include Chief People Officer at GE HealthCare (2022–2024), EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer at BD (2018–2022) and Director, Board at Fortrea (2023–2024).
Heidi Manna
LinkedInExperience: Chief People Officer · Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Chief People Officer at Jazz Pharmaceuticals since November 2018. At The Campbell's Company she was Vice-President Talent Management, Culture, and Organizational Development (2018) and Vice-President, Human Resources - Americas Division, US Sales, e-Commerce and Global Functions (2014–2018). Her profile says she has served as a chief human resource officer and board member of public companies.
Kelley Boucher
LinkedInExperience: EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer · Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Former EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (2019–2025); she has been Chief People Officer at Apellis Pharmaceuticals since May 2025. She was also Vice President, Head of Human Resources at Johnson & Johnson MedTech (2016–2019) and Vice President and Head of Human Resources, Corporate at Shire (2015–2016).
Kristen Blair Mulholland
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · Johnson & Johnson
Chief Human Resources Officer at Johnson & Johnson since October 2024. Her other Johnson & Johnson roles include Head of Human Resources, Global Total Rewards (2019–2024) and Vice President, Global Performance Management & Development (2011–2012), and she was Head of Human Resources, Pharmaceuticals and External Innovation at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine (2014–2019).
Nicola Greenway
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · Takeda
Chief Human Resources Officer at Takeda since April 2026. Her other Takeda roles include SVP, Group Head of HR, Global Portfolio Division (2022–2026), Head of People Advisory Group, Switzerland (2020–2022) and SVP Human Resources, Global Manufacturing, Supply and Quality (2019–2022). Her profile describes her as a global HR executive who sets strategy and leads teams, and as an active mentor focused on equity and belonging.
Nikita Shah
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer · Amneal Pharmaceuticals
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at Amneal Pharmaceuticals since August 2020. Her other Amneal roles include Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer (2018–2020) and Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Human Resources (2014–2018), and she was Head of Global Human Resources at Warner Chilcott (2011–2014).
Payal Sahni
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · Pfizer
Chief People Experience Officer, Executive Vice President at Pfizer since January 2022, responsible for the company's colleague experience, including culture, talent development, engagement, benefits, compensation and workplace experience. She was Chief Human Resources Officer at Pfizer from 2020 to 2022 and Senior Vice President Human Resources there (1997–2020).
Roanne Parry
LinkedInExperience: Chief People Officer · GSK
Chief People Officer at GSK since May 2026, and Chief Human Resources Officer at CSL from 2024 to 2026. Her other GSK roles include Senior Vice President Human Resources R&D (2022–2024), SVP HR Global Pharma Commercial (2019–2022) and Vice President HR Emerging Markets (2018–2019).
Shannon Devers
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer · Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. since September 2024. Her other Ionis roles include Senior Vice President, Human Resources (2020–2024), Vice President, Human Resources (2013–2020), Executive Director, Human Resources (2009–2013) and Director, Human Resources (2006–2008).
Choose the right perspective
Match the company's size and stage to yours, since HR at a global drugmaker differs from HR at a mid-size or specialty pharmaceutical company. Also look at the person's earlier HR roles, such as total rewards, R&D or manufacturing HR, to find someone whose background fits your question.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How did you organize HR to support research, manufacturing and commercial teams with very different talent needs?
- 02What worked best for retaining scientists and other hard-to-hire specialists?
- 03How did you handle people integration and culture during a merger, acquisition or restructuring?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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