CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, MYLAN, INC.; FORMER REGIONAL PRESIDENT OF LATIN AMERICA FOR PFIZER’S EMERGING MARKETS BUSINESS UNIT; FORMER VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, INNOVATION & DESIGN FOR LAUNCH, ASTRA-ZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS
By content editorial director photographer
While Adele Gulfo doesn’t consider herself a risk-taker, she does acknowledge that she’s more excited and energized when she steps outside of her comfort zone. Adele’s done that, a lot. Early in her career, Adele Gulfo went from using her analytical and critical thinking skills as a scientist and a biologist, to running the business side of developing and commercializing some of the most successful pharmaceutical drugs of all time.
“When I first talked to people about moving from research to the business side, I got a lot of blind stares like, ‘You’re not qualified. You don’t know anything about marketing. No one is going to take a scientist seriously as a business leader.’ I didn’t accept the premise that a scientist couldn’t be a good business leader. I saw there was a way you could commercialize products and discoveries and help millions of people, so I went back and got my MBA.” Since then, Adele Gulfo’s been translating the science behind some of the world’s most famous drugs into marketing plans doctors and patients can understand.
“I’M AN ACHIEVER, SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, I LIKE TO FEEL I’VE ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING: MY BOSS WAS HAPPY; SOMEBODY SMILED. THAT’S MY MOTIVATION.”
At Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Adele launched the cholesterol-lowering medicine, CRESTOR ®, growing it into a $2 Billion plus product. At Pfizer, Adele was instrumental in developing the medical and public education campaigns and the launch for LIPITOR®, the revolutionary statin, cholesterol-lowering agent. In terms of sales, LIPITOR® became the world’s most successful medicine. In 2012, under Adele Gulfo’s leadership, Pfizer’s Latin American business achieved more than $3 Billion in revenue.
Earlier this year, after 25 years with “big pharma,” Adele joined the executive leadership team at Mylan, one of the top, branded, generic pharmaceutical companies. In her current position at Mylan, Adele is focused on Latin America; globalizing Mylan’s EpiPen® franchise and working on their multi-dose, dry powder respiratory platform.
“Latin America is an emerging market, and healthcare is high on their agenda. They care about high-quality medicines. Sometimes I feel people in America just want the cheapest generic. They don’t want to know where it came from.”
Adele Gulfo is also on the board of The Committee of 200 (C200). “It’s the most powerful organization no one knows about, although we just celebrated our 38th anniversary. C200 has become a place where the world’s most successful women entrepreneurs and business leader can get together. It’s a safe place to share stories, learn from each other and in some cases, help one another financially. Our mission is ‘Success Shared.’ Women empowering and supporting one another is more important than ever.”
“I work in an industry that makes medicines to help people, but it’s also nice to have a mission. At Mylan, ours is to do good and do well, not just for our company and shareholders, but for people. It’s important for companies and organizations to have a purpose. People want to work for something more than just their salary.”
Women empowering and supporting one another is more important than ever.
with Adele
MOST IMPORTANT SURVIVAL SKILL
I love to exercise, but it’s what I call yoga breaks and breathing.
WHAT EMPOWERS YOU
I’m an achiever, so at the end of the day, I like to feel I’ve accomplished something: My boss was happy; somebody smiled. That’s my motivation.
THROWS YOU OFF YOUR GAME
I don’t like conflict; when people don’t have the right intentions or are coming at things from a negative place.
VALUE MORE NOW THAN 20 YEARS AGO
Time: My personal time, simple times, having coffee with my husband.
MOST DARING
I don’t like heights, but I travel a lot, so getting over my fear of small, private jets, helicopters.
ASPIRE TO
Have it all! I love working, and I love having big things. I’m not happy unless I’m in the thick of it. At the same time, I crave having quiet time at my beach house with my sisters and my husband… and not always being addicted to my cellphone.
NOT WORTH IT ANYMORE
All the personal sacrifice to get to what you want. Like children. I always thought when I’m older I’ll be ready. Then there was a window of time where I thought we had to make it work, but no… It didn’t work.
RECHARGES YOUR BATTERIES
Nature. Time at my beach house. I need to see sky, water, grass, trees.
WHAT ARE YOU READING
Unfortunately, right now, when I’m reading it’s trying to catch up on work.
GUILTY PLEASURE
Massage
STYLE NOW VERSUS 20 YEARS AGO
I’m much more classic, but fun.
FLATS OR HEELS
I love high heels, but I wear flats, mostly.
FALL OR SPRING
Spring
FAVORITE DESIGNERS
Helmut Lang, Armani—because of the cut, Dolce & Gabbana. I like sheath dresses, Italian shoes, Prada. My favorite boots are Miu Miu which have this really cool, black crystal heel.
MISSING FROM YOUR CLOSET
Organization
GO TO OUTFIT
Black sheath dress, like an Armani, with a bright Derek Lam jacket.
HANDBAG OF CHOICE
Chanel
DEFINITION OF LUXURY
A beautiful night sleep and a great bed. Simple things well done.
LIPSTICK OR EYELINER
Eyeliner
CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT BEAUTY PRODUCT
Tinted moisturizer, because I don’t wear foundation. Bronzer or blush and eyeliner.
FACELIFT OR BOTOX
I don’t like surgery, but I could probably use some Botox. (laughs)
1 Comment
How about palm tree at the beach house??