People on the move … Nov. 8
Drug Store News has rounded up all the retail pharmacy comings and goings to help keep you informed.
Here are this week’s announcements.
Walgreens Boots Alliance names Neal Sample as CIO
Neal Sample is the new executive vice president and chief information officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Reporting to CEO Tim Wentworth, Sample has been working alongside WBA technology leaders over the course of the last month to assess and advance the company’s technology goals. Moving forward, he will lead the strategy for WBA’s IT function and the implementation of its technology and digital innovation, with an emphasis on improving the digital experience for customers and patients.
“I am excited to welcome Neal to our executive leadership team and confident that as our CIO he will help take our IT capabilities to the next level using his strong background and experience in formulating modernization plans, implementing technology solutions, accelerating growth and redefining standards of execution excellence,” said Wentworth. “He will be a key component to achieving our goals as we build on the company’s pharmacy strength and trusted brand to evolve healthcare delivery.”
According to WBA, Sample is an award-winning technologist and seasoned executive who has a strong track record of driving growth and innovation. He brings more than 20 years of experience across industries that include healthcare, financial services and consumer internet.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Board at Wellfield Technologies, Inc., as well as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, Missouri.
He was previously the CIO for Northwestern Mutual, where he rebuilt, optimized and centralized the technology function for the company. During this time, he was able to attract and develop leaders in security, data, engineering and infrastructure; raise internal and external technology metrics; and implement several automated and self-service capabilities for clients.
Teva appoints new CEO for Teva API
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has appointed Dr. R. Ananthanarayanan (Ananth) as CEO of its Teva Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients business. Dr. Ananth will lead the API business starting November 27, 2023, and will be based out of Teva's U.S. headquarters in Parsippany, N.J.
“I am excited to welcome Ananth back to Teva to lead the Teva api business during this pivotal time for our company, as we continue to progress on our plan for turning Teva api into a standalone business,” Richard Francis, Teva’s President and CEO, said. “We’re confident that this strategy will result in a more focused end-to-end operation, and I am confident that Ananth's extensive knowledge of both Teva and the industry landscape will be an invaluable asset to drive growth, maximize current and potential revenue streams, and better serve customers and patients."
Dr. Ananth joins Teva with more than 34 years of experience leading global API businesses in external sales, internal operations and in contract development and manufacturing operations. He will lead Teva api through its transformation to a standalone business, which plays a critical part in Teva's Pivot to Growth strategy announced in May 2023. Having led the former Teva api and biologics operations organization at Teva from 2014 to 2018, Dr. Ananth has a deep understanding of Teva’s API business, the company said.
Prior to joining Teva, Dr. Ananth previously served as CEO of a global leading private equity firm, and a leading contract development and manufacturing organization for large scale production of active ingredients, electronic chemicals, specialty chemicals and intermediates for agro, pharma, dyes and pigments. Prior to this, he served as CEO of Strides Pharma Science Limited, a global generic pharmaceutical company.
“I am very excited to return to Teva to lead the API business, and to join my esteemed colleagues and teams at Teva api – old and new,” Dr. Ananth stated. “I have confidence in the strategic vision set out by Richard Francis and the Teva executive leadership team to create a more focused end-to-end operation poised to return to growth and create more impact and value for Teva and the patients we serve worldwide."
Beauty by Imagination appoints Jennifer Van Aken as VP, brand strategy and growth for Goody and Ouidad
Beauty by Imagination, a manufacturer of hair care brands including Wet Brush, Goody, Ouidad, Curls and Bio Ionic, has announced that Jennifer Van Aken has been appointed vice president of brand strategy and growth for Goody and Ouidad.
In this strategic leadership position, Jennifer will be responsible for general management of the brands including global P&L, go-to market strategy, social, innovation strategy, brand visual identity and brand growth strategy, the company said.
Jennifer joins BBI with more than 25 years of experience in strategic marketing, innovation development and brand building work for companies including L’Oreal, Beiersdorf and Unilever.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Van Aken to BBI to lead these two dynamic brands,” said Marina Binichis, EVP of marketing, communications and ecommerce at Beauty by Imagination. “Jenn’s extensive experience in the beauty industry is well suited for this role and we’re looking forward to her impact as one of our three female VPs leading BBI’s Business Units.”