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Karen KatenSenior Executive, Former Executive Vice President of Pfizer and President of Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals
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Biography of Karen Katen
Karen Katen is a top-level executive, former executive vice president of Pfizer and president of Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals, the primary manufacturing division of the company. She is also the president of Pfizer Human Health and holds a position on the board of directors. After joining the Pfizer team in 1974, Karen Katen was involved in the development of marketing campaigns for almost all major medications produced by the pharmaceutical company. Her department launched 8 out of the world's 25 most well-known pharmaceutical products, including Lipitor, which has annual sales approaching $10 billion. Karen Katen is one of the most respected leaders within the corporation, known for her ability to build strong, cohesive teams consisting of employees with various specializations. Her management style significantly differs from the traditional authoritarian approach, which has always contributed to Katen's popularity among the corporation's employees. Katen's teams, which include scientists, doctors, salespeople, and marketers, have successfully worked together throughout the entire product development process, sometimes for 10-12 years, during which time the new product undergoes clinical trials and awaits regulatory approval, thanks to open communication - one of Katen's main principles of work. Additionally, she genuinely cares about the development and quality of life of her employees. Katen's colleagues describe her as the human face of their business.
Early Life and Education
Karen Katen was born in 1948 in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1970, she earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Chicago. Soon after graduation, Katen found work in the sales department of a stationary company, but after a year, she returned to the University of Chicago and became a master's student in 1974. In the same year, she started working at Pfizer, in the marketing department of the Roerig Division. From the very beginning, she demonstrated that she was perfect for the field of marketing and management. Throughout her career at Pfizer, Katen developed and implemented several key strategies that are now considered classics in marketing but were quite innovative at the time.
Career at Pfizer
On her way to becoming a top manager, Karen Katen held several leadership positions in various Pfizer divisions. She was the vice president of marketing in 1983, vice president and director of manufacturing in 1986, and vice president and general manager in 1991. Two years later, at the age of 45, Katen was appointed executive vice president of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Group. By 1995, she was promoted again to become the president of Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals. In 2001, as the president of Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals, Katen took responsibility for global production in over 90 countries. Her position involved direct management of the company's medical and regulatory activities worldwide and oversight of pharmaceutical product development. She became a member of Pfizer's prestigious team of leaders.
Recognition and Philanthropy
From 1998 to 2004, Karen Katen was listed as one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" by Fortune magazine, and in 2002, she was included in the "25 Most Powerful Top Executives" list. She is widely respected as one of the most influential female executives in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to being a member of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Katen serves on the boards of directors of General Motors, Harris Corporation, and RAND Corporation. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago, her alma mater. Furthermore, Karen dedicates a significant amount of time and effort to participating in non-profit medical organizations.
