H. C. Daniel Vasella

Dr. h.c. Daniel Vasella, MD: Daniel Vasella graduated with an MD from the University of Bern in 1979. After holding a number of medical positions in Switzerland, he joined Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation in the USA in 1988. From 1993 to 1995, Daniel Vasella advanced from Head of Corporate Marketing and Senior Vice President and Head of Worldwide Development to Chief Operating Officer of Sandoz Pharma Ltd. In 1995 and 1996, Daniel Vasella was a member of the Sandoz Group Executive Committee and the Chief Executive Officer of Sandoz Pharma Ltd. After the merger that created Novartis in 1996, Daniel Vasella served as President and Chairman of the Executive Committee. In 1999, he additionally was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors. Daniel Vasella is also a member of the Board of Directors of Pepsico, Inc., United States, the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse Group, Switzerland, and the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG, Germany. In addition, he is a member of the International Board of Governors of the Peres Center for Peace in Israel and a member of several industry associations and educational institutions, including the International Business Leaders Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai, where he serves as Chairman. In 2002, Daniel Vasella was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Basel.