10 Merck leaders in new roles in 2026
Each of these ten Merck leaders in new roles in 2026 started their current role at Merck this year, from the head of the Merck Manufacturing Division to finance, engineering, technology and legal leaders. A reader can learn how Merck leaders approach a role they started in 2026 from people who hold one now.
Professionals to explore
Caroline Younan, MBA, CPA
LinkedInExperience: Finance Director, Digital Human Health · Merck
Caroline Younan has been Finance Director, Digital Human Health at Merck since January 2026, based in the New York City area. At Merck, Caroline Younan was also Finance Director, Human Health Digital, Data & Analytics and Content Accelerator from 2022 to 2026 and Director, Global Financial Planning & Analysis - Human Health Commercial from 2019 to 2022.
Dave Maraldo, Ph.D.
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President and President, Merck Manufacturing Division · Merck
Dave Maraldo has been Executive Vice President and President, Merck Manufacturing Division at Merck since May 2026, based in Rahway, New Jersey. Dave Maraldo also lists Senior Vice President Operations at Merck since 2022 and was Vice President Vaccines and Biologics Commercialization there from 2020 to 2022.
David Nash
LinkedInExperience: Finance Director, Human Health Center of Excellence · Merck
David Nash has been Finance Director, Human Health Center of Excellence at Merck since July 2026. At Merck, David Nash was also Finance Director, US Oncology from 2023 to 2026, Finance Director, Merck Manufacturing Division from 2019 to 2022 and Associate Director - Pipeline Valuation and Portfolio Prioritization from 2016 to 2019.
David Nguyen
LinkedInExperience: Director - MMD Finance, Global Quality · Merck
David Nguyen has been Director - MMD Finance, Global Quality at Merck since June 2026, based in Greater Philadelphia. At Merck, David Nguyen was also Director - Corporate Development, Integration Office from 2024 to 2026 and Associate Director - Oncology Clinical Development Finance from 2022 to 2024.
Ed Trautman
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director · Merck
Ed Trautman has been Executive Director at Merck since January 2026, based in Neshanic Station, New Jersey. At Merck, Ed Trautman was also Senior Director from 2024 to 2025, Director - Cybersecurity Engineering from 2018 to 2023 and Associate Director - Windows & Virtualization from 2015 to 2023.
Jeffrey Gruen
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director and Managing Counsel, Merck Animal Health · Merck
Jeffrey Gruen has been Executive Director and Managing Counsel, Merck Animal Health at Merck since March 2026, based in the New York City area. At Merck, Jeffrey Gruen was also Managing Counsel, Merck Animal Health Intelligence from 2021 to 2026 and Legal Director, Labor & Employment Law from 2017 to 2021.
Lawrence Reich
LinkedInExperience: Associate Vice President, Legal · Merck
Lawrence Reich has been Associate Vice President, Legal at Merck since August 2026, based in Greater Philadelphia. At Merck, Lawrence Reich was also Executive Director, Managing Counsel from 2019 to 2026 and Global Regulatory Lead, Oncology from 2017 to 2019.
Michael Valentin
LinkedInExperience: Information Technology Director · Merck
Michael Valentin has been Information Technology Director at Merck since June 2026, based in Springfield, New Jersey. Michael Valentin also lists Information Technology Associate Director at Merck since 2020 and was IT Portfolio / Program Manager there from 2015 to 2019.
Mumthaz Kasim
LinkedInExperience: Director MMD Finance Centre of Excellence · Merck
Mumthaz Kasim has been Director MMD Finance Centre of Excellence at Merck since May 2026. Mumthaz Kasim also lists Director Global Oncology Finance at Merck since 2024 and was Financial Director LEVNA Cluster there from 2023 to 2024 and Associate Director Finance from 2016 to 2021.
Richard W. Pranke
LinkedInExperience: Director of Engineering · Merck
Richard W. Pranke has been Director of Engineering at Merck since June 2026, based in the New York City area. Richard W. Pranke also lists Director, Operations Infrastructure Support, Drug Substance Operations and Supply at Bristol Myers Squibb since 2021 and was Associate Director, Engineering & Scale-Up Technology, API Operations there from 2014 to 2021.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's function to your question, since a manufacturing executive, a finance director and a lawyer see different parts of the business. People whose role started earliest in the year have had the most time in it.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you focus on in your first months in your current role?
- 02Which parts of your past roles have been most useful in the role you hold now?
- 03How do you decide which priorities to take on first when you start a new role at a large company?
Reaching Merck leaders in new roles in 2026
How can I contact one of these Merck leaders in new roles in 2026?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: Merck, based on profile data retrieved on October 24, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Merck leaders in new roles in 2026?
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Can an AI agent ask one of these Merck leaders in new roles in 2026 a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. Claude and ChatGPT can do the same through the Instant Expert connector: setup is at /docs/mcp for Claude and /docs/chatgpt for ChatGPT. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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