Kenneth Frazier

Kenneth Frazier, an experienced leader in the pharmaceutical industry, retired from the position of Executive Chairman and former CEO at Merck & Co. His tenure at the helm of the company was characterized by an emphasis on research funding, particularly in Alzheimer's disease treatments, over meeting the year's earnings target. Frazier directed Merck's defense against litigation over the anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx, demonstrating his ability to navigate complex legal and corporate challenges. His leadership qualities were recognized by Time's list of the most influential people in the world in both 2018 and 2021.

Frazier is a trustee of the Cornerstone Christian Academy in Philadelphia, highlighting his dedication to the field of education. His intellectual pursuits have been honored with membership to prestigious societies; he was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2018 and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Publicly, Frazier has demonstrated his ability to address sensitive and critical issues. He resigned from President Trump's American Manufacturing Council in 2017, following the president's comments on the Unite the Right rally. In 2020, he spoke on racial tensions in an interview with CNBC after the murder of George Floyd. Furthermore, Frazier and his wife showed their commitment to health issues in African-American communities by donating $5 million to Jefferson Health for a stroke initiative. His keynote speech at the ALI Annual Dinner in 2013 and appearances on C-SPAN further underline his ability to engage with diverse audiences on a range of topics.