David A. Ricks

Chair and Chief Executive Officer

Eli Lilly and Company

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. Under Dave’s leadership, Lilly has delivered record research and development output and innovative medicines that continue to reach more people, positioning the company for sustained growth and an expanded role in the advancement of human health.
Tackling the world’s most significant health challenges demands a relentless focus on scientific innovation and an awareness that speed is critical in the quest for life-changing treatments. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry, and genetic medicine, today more than 44,000 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.
Lilly’s innovation strategy has yielded 16 new medicines and a pipeline among the most valuable in the industry since Dave became chair and CEO in 2017. Previously, Dave held roles that spanned functions, geographies, and therapeutic areas after joining the company as a business development associate in 1996. 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.
These experiences – grounded in long-standing Lilly values of integrity, excellence, and respect for people – have culminated in a leadership approach rooted in purpose, which in turn drives growth and continuous improvement. Lilly’s achievements on behalf of patients have been enabled by the teamwork, collaboration, and persistence that have been Lilly hallmarks under Dave’s stewardship.
Supporting the health innovation ecosystem and local communities is also a priority. Dave serves on the boards of Adobe, Business Roundtable, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, The Business Council, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Council for Inclusive Innovation, and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.
Under Dave’s leadership, Lilly is focused on the tremendous opportunity – and responsibility – to advance scientific innovation that will lead to better outcomes for patients and for society at large. By continuing to deliver breakthrough medicines, as the company has for nearly 150 years, Lilly is working to change the trajectory of disease and make a profound, positive impact on the health and quality of life of people around the world.