People on the move … Jan. 6
Drug Store News has rounded up all the retail pharmacy comings and goings to help keep you informed. Here are this week’s announcements.
Anne Cassity named SVP of government affairs at National Community Pharmacists Association
The National Community Pharmacists Association has announced that Anne Cassity has been promoted to the role of senior vice president of government affairs.
Cassity will lead NCPA’s federal and state legislative and regulatory outreach, spearhead political and external affairs, and work closely with the department of policy and pharmacy affairs to coordinate the organization’s efforts.
She managed NCPA’s congressional affairs department before leaving the association in 2011 to become health care policy adviser to then-Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. She spent several years as a government relations director for a Medicaid-managed care organization in Louisiana before returning to NCPA in September 2018 to serve as vice president of federal and state government affairs. Cassity has also held positions on the staff of U.S. Reps. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) and Bob Riley (R-Ala.). She holds a law degree from Mississippi College School of Law and is a graduate of Louisiana State University.
“Community pharmacy has never been more visible among patients, members of the media and policymakers, and that’s in part due to Anne’s efforts,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, MBA. “With her extensive experience and her background with NCPA, she’s a great fit to lead our government affairs department. We’re excited Anne is stepping into this role as we continue growing community pharmacy’s influence and prominence.”
Viatris announces appointments of Scott A. Smith and Elisha W. Finney to company’s board
Global healthcare company Viatris announced that Scott A. Smith and Elisha W. Finney have been appointed as the newest members of the company’s board of directors. Smith and Finney fill the vacancies created by the retirement of Neil Dimick and Ian Reid.
Scott Smith is an experienced global biotechnology and pharmaceutical executive who currently serves as president and executive director of BioAtla, a global biotechnology company focused on the development of Conditionally Active Biologic antibody therapeutics. Previously, Smith was president and CEO at Celgene Corporation, rising up the ranks from SVP and Global Head of Immunology, and then president of inflammation and immunology. He is known for his ability to build out, grow and manage large complex organizations. “One of his many achievements during his 10-year career at Celgene was overseeing the clinical development, registration, launch and global commercial success of the blockbuster drug Otezla,” the company said.
Elisha Finney is an experienced former public company executive officer and current public company director who most recently served a long career at Varian Medical Systems as executive vice president and CFO, overseeing corporate accounting, corporate communications and investor relations, internal audit, risk management, tax and treasury and corporate information systems. During her time at Varian, she helped the company grow to be a world-leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions, the company says.
Finney serves on the boards of directors of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and NanoString Technologies, each as audit committee chair, and also serves on the board of directors of ICU Medical as chair of the nominating and governance committee and member of the audit committee. She received a B.A. in risk management and insurance from the University of Georgia and a master's degree in finance from Golden Gate University.
Curaleaf adds two new members to the board of directors
Curaleaf Holdings, an international provider of consumer cannabis products, has announced that Michelle Bodner and Shasheen Shah have been added to the board of directors, effective December 31, 2022.
"I am thrilled to welcome Michelle and Shasheen to the Curaleaf board of directors to deepen our bench and add talent to our board, as we further develop governance,” said executive chairman Boris Jordan. “Michelle is a seasoned entrepreneur and savvy advisor in the financial services, government, real estate and cannabis spaces and delivered impressive results for Curaleaf in our early days.”
Jordan continued, "Shasheen is a talented executive coach and progressive thinker who has delivered breakthrough results to global business leaders for 20 years. I know that his business insights, approach to leadership culture and unique perspective will be instrumental in guiding the board and our company forward in its next evolution of growth."
Bodner is a Wall Street-trained entrepreneur with expertise in operations, real estate and executive coaching. She has delivered advisory services to government agencies, banks, large corporations, non-profits and early and mid-stage companies in multiple disciplines. In 2015, Ms. Bodner was engaged by Curaleaf, Inc. (then, Palliatech, Inc.) as a consultant responsible for the Company's New York State license application. Since that time, Michelle has held multiple positions at Curaleaf including tenures as a board member, first chief operating officer, and the president and CEO of Curaleaf's New York and Florida operations.
Shah, CEO of Coherent Strategies Consulting and Coaching, is a leadership development coach and trusted advisor to global executives and organizations. He helps develop high-performance teams achieve successful business outcomes and navigate the personal challenges that go hand in hand with the journey. He has worked with executives from Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Tesla, ButcherBox and LinkedIn, among others. He is the author of the Kid and the King: The Hidden Inner Struggle High Achievers Must Conquer to Reignite and Re-engage with Life.
Diana Ferguson to become Sally Beauty Holdings board chair
Sally Beauty Holdings announced an upcoming change in its board of directors as part of a planned leadership transition. Robert (“Bob”) McMaster, in connection with his plans to retire as a director, will step down as chair of the board at the conclusion of the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders on January 26, 2023. Diana Ferguson, the current independent director, has been tapped by the board as its chair-elect.
Ferguson has been a director at the company since 2019 and currently serves as chair of the Compensation and Talent Committee. She brings an extensive track record of success in corporate financial management, strategic planning and transaction execution, the company said.
Ed Rabin, Marshall Eisenberg and John Miller have also announced their upcoming retirements from the Board and will not be standing for re-election. These retirements follow the appointment of Rachel Bishop, Jeffrey Boyer and Chip Molloy to the board in July 2022.
“On behalf of our board, executive management team and all Sally Beauty Holdings associates, I would like to thank Bob, Ed, Marshall and John for their significant contributions to the Company’s growth over the past 16 years,” said Denise Paulonis, president and chief executive officer. “Together, they have been instrumental in helping to grow Sally into a global international omnichannel retailer that is beloved by our community of DIY beauty enthusiasts and professional stylists.”
“I am honored to be chair elect to the board and I thank Bob for his leadership,” said Ms. Ferguson. “I believe strongly in our mission and people, and I am confident Sally Beauty Holdings has the right team and strategy in place to continue executing on our strategic plan and delivering value for all our stakeholders. I look forward to this opportunity and to continuing to work with my fellow directors and the company’s management team to position Sally Beauty for long-term success.”