August 24, 2020

Virtual panel discussion with Lilly CEO to highlight fifth Lilly Day at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A virtual panel discussion with David Ricks, chairman and CEO of  Eli Lilly and Co., who is a 1990 graduate of Purdue’s Krannert School of Management, will highlight Lilly Day at Purdue on Thursday (Aug. 27).

The multifaceted event is designed to introduce Purdue students to the global pharmaceutical company and the career opportunities that exist within the Fortune 200 company.

"Lilly’s unique relationship with Purdue goes back to the early days of both institutions. Purdue people have been part of many of Lilly’s most significant advances in medicine, including insulin, production of the polio vaccine and now our work to defeat COVID-19," Ricks said. "We’re eager to see the skills and ideas the next generation of Boilermakers will bring to advance our purpose to make life better for people around the world."

Ricks became Lilly’s chairman and CEO in 2017 after stints as president of Lilly Bio-Medicines, Lilly USA and Lilly China, as well as general manager of Lilly Canada. He joined Lilly in 1996 as a business development associate and held several management roles in U.S. marketing and sales before taking leadership roles abroad.

Ricks’ influence extends across the health care industry. He is chairman-elect of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA). He also serves on the boards of Adobe, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and chairs the Riley Children’s Foundation’s board of governors. He is a member of The Business Council and the Business Roundtable.

The "Community, COVID and Careers" virtual panel discussion, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Those who wish to participate may register by texting "LDAPPanel" to 50500.

In addition to Ricks, Lilly panelists include Joy Fitzgerald, vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, and two early career professionals, who are Purdue alumni: Rapheal Davis (consumer science '16), sales representative, Diabetes Business Unit, and Helen Flynn (biology '19), scientist, Medicines Innovation Hub.

Students from all class levels will be able to learn about Lilly ­– the largest private employer in Indiana – and its more than 130 years of hiring Purdue graduates in areas such as engineering, science, information technology, statistics, finance, human resources, marketing, procurement, supply chain and sales.

Lilly employs nearly 1,700 Purdue graduates – more than from any other university.

After the panel discussion, students will be able to explore career paths with Lilly in virtual breakout sessions beginning at 5:30 p.m. To register, students may text "LDAPBreakout" to 50500. Space is limited. 

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at purdue.edu.

Media contact: Jim Bush, jsbush@purdue.edu  

Source: Dave Ricks, Eli Lilly and Co. chairman, president and CEO

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