Biography
Dave Ricks is chair and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company. He joined the company 30 years ago and has held roles in business development, marketing, country management and drug development. Dave became CEO in January 2017 and was elected chair of the company’s board of directors effective June 2017
A global biopharmaceutical leader, Lilly has been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years — and today the company’s medicines help more than 71 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, Lilly scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world’s most significant health challenges – including diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and debilitating autoimmune diseases. Under Dave’s leadership, Lilly has delivered record R&D output and business results, positioning the company for strong growth and expanded impact on human health around the world.
Dave joined Lilly in 1996 as a business development associate and held several management roles in U.S. marketing and sales before moving into international leadership positions. He led Lilly’s operations as general manager in Canada and China and then returned as president of Lilly USA, the company’s largest affiliate. In 2012, Dave was promoted to president of Lilly Bio-Medicines, then the company’s largest business unit, overseeing drug development and commercial operations in neuroscience, pain and immunology.
Dave serves on the board of directors for Adobe and Business Roundtable. In addition, he is a member of the board and former board chair of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Dave is a member of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Association’s CEO Steering Committee, The Business Council and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Council for Inclusive Innovation.
Closer to home, Dave is heavily engaged in the development and well-being of Central Indiana and serves on the executive committee and board of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.
