Chair & CEO, Eli Lilly and Company
Health Evolution Leadership Committee

Dave Ricks is chair and chief executive officer of Lilly, a company turning science into medicine to make life better for people around the world.

Lilly has pioneered discoveries that help people overcome serious health challenges for nearly 150 years. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry, and genetic medicine, today more than 50,000 Lilly colleagues and valued partners are working with urgency to redefine diabetes care, eliminate health issues caused by obesity, advance the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, solve debilitating immune system disorders, and transform difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases.

Under Dave’s leadership, Lilly has delivered record research and development output and innovative medicines that continue to reach more people around the world, positioning the company for sustained growth and an expanded role in the advancement of human health.

During his 30 years at Lilly, Dave has held executive positions across the company’s business functions, geographies, and therapeutic areas. He served as general manager of Lilly Canada, president and general manager of Lilly China, president of Lilly USA, and president of Lilly Bio-Medicines before becoming CEO and board chair in 2017.

Dave holds a bachelor’s degree and an honorary doctorate degree from Purdue University and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University. He serves on the boards of Adobe, Business Roundtable, and Purdue University and is a board member and former chair of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Dave is a member of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations’ CEO steering committee, The Business Council, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Council for Inclusive Innovation, and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.