We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ELITE Awards, where we honor those people in healthcare and life sciences who are making a mark on our industry, on patients, on colleagues, and on the world. For 10 years we’ve shone a much-deserved spotlight on the individuals and teams who throughout their careers are building legacies marked by helping people live better—and hopefully longer—lives. It’s the reason why so many join our industry in the first place. This year marks 1,000 outstanding people honored and recognized for the countless hours of dream chasing that has made an impact on our industry.
These legacies are being built at various points in our winners’ careers in roles that span the industry. From CEOs to launch strategists, tech geniuses to environmental warriors, serial entrepreneurs to mentors for others, the 2024 ELITE 100 features the full gamut of people in the life sciences who are making a real difference across all aspects of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and diagnostics.
At the top of this year’s list is our Uber ELITE winner Adele Gulfo, MBA, CEO of Biopharma Commercial Unit of Sumitomo Pharma. Sumitomo is a household name in Japan and is emerging on the U.S. scene in a big way with Adele’s guidance and expertise. The driving force behind blockbusters like Crestor and Lipitor, Adele is leading Sumitomo’s charge into the women’s health space with one-of-a-kind Myfembree and OAB treatment Gemtesa. She’s got a lot more on her list of innovations to bring to market.
In fact, it’s probably safe to say that none of the ELITE individuals and teams you can read about below are done growing their legacies. Keep an eye on these industry greats.
THE ELITE AWARDS HONORS PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING 19 CATEGORIES
Transformational Leaders: People who change the way things work within an organization—whether that involves building a whole new organizational structure, a new way to handle projects or turning around a failing business.
Leaders of the Future: Up-and-coming junior people who have displayed the characteristics of an emerging leader.
Data Miners: Individuals specializing in analytics within the pharma/biotech/med device industry and those who support the healthcare industry who are able to turn hordes of numbers and research into actionable insight.
Creative Directors: The heads of marketing teams known for their daring creative and jealousy-inducing campaigns.
Tech-know Geeks: Innovators who are developing technological breakthroughs and are helping to reshape the industry.
Entrepreneurs: Visionary risk-takers who are developing new companies to answer unmet needs and fill the voids that many people didn’t even realize existed.
Disruptors: People who are not afraid to disrupt the status quo and change the way the industry operates.”
Sales MVPs: The sales leaders within a company who are doing an outstanding job of building revenue and forming relationships that add to the growth of the company.
Strategists: Anyone with a sixth sense for what works and the ability to predict what a company will need to do in order to remain relevant as the industry evolves.
Mentors: The industry gurus who serve as the role models that everyone else aspires to emulate.
Master Educators: People on a mission to revolutionize the way that patients and/or doctors learn and absorb the information that life science companies have to offer (for instance CME programs, medical journals, universities, etc.)
Launch Experts: Marketers with significant success in bringing a new drug to market or revitalizing an old drug with a fresh campaign.
Patient Advocates: Patients who network, speak out, and support the advancement of new treatments and better care.
Drug Researchers and Developers: The scientists, researchers, and clinical trial experts who are moving the industry forward with breakthrough and efficient treatments options.
Digital Crusaders: The individuals advancing applications of digital channels or platforms to transform marketing and/or company operations.
Marketing Teams: Teams from manufacturers (pharma, specialty, medical device), agencies, supplier/vendors, or some combination of the three that have achieved great marketing success as a group.
PR Gurus: Communication experts who are masters at spreading news and good publicity.
Talent Acquisition Leaders: Job recruiters and HR executives with a keen eye for recognizing top talent and placing them in the right roles.
Philanthropic Heroes: Anyone who works within our industry and is doing extraordinary charity work or philanthropic endeavors. The charity work does not have to be healthcare-related and can be anything that is helping individuals, communities, or the world at large.
Environmental Champions: Individuals or teams within the life sciences and healthcare marketing industries who are leading environmental or sustainability efforts within their organization or even outside of their day jobs. These efforts can be anything related to improving the global environment; reducing carbon footprint; eliminating harmful or excessive waste; and creating a more sustainable company, society, and/or economy.
