Walgreens Boots Alliance's Ornella Barra assumes seat on AmerisourceBergen board

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. - AmerisourceBergen on Friday announced that Ornella Barra, EVP Walgreens Boots Alliance and president and CEO of global wholesale andinternational retail has been elected to its board of directors, effective immediately. Barra has been appointed by the board to fill the vacancy created by Gregory Wasson’s resignation from the company’s board on Jan. 9 following Wasson’s retirement from Walgreens Boots Alliance. 

 

“We are very pleased to have Ornella join the AmerisourceBergen board of directors,” stated Richard Gozon, chairman of the board of AmerisourceBergen. “Her extensive experience in wholesale pharmaceutical distribution and international health and pharmaceutical retail industries and strategic insight will be an asset to our board, particularly as we continue to grow our global operations. Ms. Barra also provides a valuable perspective on our strategic relationship and collaboration with Walgreens Boots Alliance.” Commenting on Wasson’s resignation from AmerisourceBergen’s board, Gozon said “Mr. Wasson has garnered tremendous respect from the board during his tenure and the board wishes to thank him for his contributions to the continuing success of AmerisourceBergen.”

 

“[Ornella] has a deep understanding of the needs of our customers, including pharmacists, and the demands of running a global enterprise," added Steven Collis, president and CEO AmerisourceBergen. "I am confident that Ornella will contribute in countless ways as we continue to advance AmerisourceBergen’s strategic goals and objectives.”

 

Prior to here role at Walgreens Boots Alliance, she was CEO Wholesale and Brands of Alliance Boots. Barra had previously been CEO of the Pharmaceutical Wholesale Division of Alliance Boots (from January 2009 to September 2013), and before that, Wholesale & Commercial Affairs director. In her role, she was responsible for the Pharmaceutical Wholesale Division as well as the overall development of International Health & Beauty and Brands of Alliance Boots. Barra is chairman of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and is also a member of the board of directors of Assicurazioni Generali. Barra began her career as a pharmacist in Italy and is Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham School of Pharmacy.

 

Walgreens Boots Alliance is entitled to designate a director — including any successor director to fill an unexpired term — to the AmerisourceBergen board of directors as part of its strategic long-term relationship with the company.

 

Barra has not been appointed to serve on any committees of the AmerisourceBergen board.