Heather Bresch

Heather Bresch is an American businesswoman and the CEO of Mylan, a global pharmaceutical company known for producing generic and specialty drugs. Born in 1969 in West Virginia, Bresch began her career in the pharmaceutical industry after earning her MBA from West Virginia University. She joined Mylan in 1992, gradually rising through the ranks to become the company’s first female CEO in 2012. Under her leadership, Mylan became a key player in the global generic drug market, particularly recognized for its efforts to make epinephrine auto-injectors widely available.

Bresch’s tenure at Mylan was marked by both accomplishments and controversies, particularly regarding the pricing of the company’s EpiPen product. The significant price increase of the EpiPen raised public and political scrutiny, sparking debates about pharmaceutical pricing and the ethics of drug affordability. Despite this, Bresch has remained a prominent figure in the business world, advocating for increased access to healthcare and the role of generic drugs in improving public health.

One of Bresch’s well-known quotes is, "We have to be bold in our thinking and our actions to create the kind of changes that will improve access to medicine for all." Another significant quote is, "Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge." These statements reflect her approach to leadership and her dedication to transforming the pharmaceutical industry, even amid challenges.