Novartis: Leadership and Science
Speakers
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Anthony WilliamsonAssociate Director, Market AccessAnthony Williamson
Associate Director, Market Access
NovartisAnthony Williamson is an Associate Director of Market Access Strategy at Novartis, where he focuses on ensuring patients get timely and affordable access to the medicines they need by aligning scientific value with real-world healthcare needs. Driven by a commitment to equity, opportunity, and empowering emerging leaders, he works to create environments where people can grow, contribute, and challenge the status quo. A returning One Young World Ambassador and co-lead of Novartis' Early Career community network, Anthony is passionate about turning global conversations into meaningful action to shape a more just and sustainable future for everyone.
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Vasant NarasimhanChief Executive Officer of Novartis InternationalVasant Narasimhan
Counsellor
Chief Executive Officer of Novartis International
NovartisVas Narasimhan is the CEO of Novartis, a global leader in biopharmaceuticals. Since becoming CEO in 2018, Vas has led a strategic and cultural transformation to build a fully focused medicines company—one that delivers high-value medicines that alleviate society’s greatest disease burdens through technology leadership in R&D and novel access approaches. He leads a company of around 78 000 associates that does business in approximately 120 countries and that reached nearly 300 million patients with innovative medicines in 2024. Under his leadership, Novartis has experienced new heights of performance, marking some of the strongest years in the company’s history. Vas has focused his education and career on improving human health and on his personal purpose of inspiring a healthier world. During and after his medical studies, he worked on public health issues such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in India, Africa and South America and continues to champion access and global health priorities today. Over his career, Vas has overseen the approval of over 35 novel medicines and vaccines. Vas is an elected member of the US National Academy of Medicine, a member of the University of Chicago Board of Trustees, and a member of the board of fellows at Harvard Medical School. Vas previously served as chair of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), and remains on its board of directors. This year, Vas was listed as one of the TIME100 Most Influential People in Health. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Vas lives in Basel, Switzerland, with his wife and two sons. A lifelong vegetarian, he is passionate about environmental and wildlife conservation — and is Chair of the African Parks Network, the largest conservation organization in Africa. He received his BA from the University of Chicago and his MD and MPP from Harvard University.
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Samantha BakerSenior ScientistSamantha Baker
Senior Scientist
NovartisSammie Baker is Senior Scientist I in Biomedical Research at Novartis. She focuses on analytical genomics research across all disease areas and platforms within the research organization, enabling project teams to go further & faster with genomics solutions. Beyond her bench work, she co-leads the Green Team US, an ERG focused on fostering a sustainability-minded workplace through grassroots, associate-led and actionable changes throughout the business. She energizes her colleagues in both roles and brings laughter into every room. She is a returning One Young World Ambassador and co-leads Novartis' Early Career community network; Sammie centers wellness-within-leadership to equip other leaders to create sustainable and thoughtful changes through their work.