Sarah Aiosa is the president for Latin America at pharmaceutical giant Merck Co., where she has been since February 2022 and is the first female president in the company’s history to lead this region. She is responsible for setting strategic direction, managing a $2 billion P&L for the human health portfolio that encompasses five thousand employees across thirty countries. Previously, Aiosa was the CEO and managing director of MSD Sweden.
In 2023, ALPFA recognized Aiosa as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas. She is an executive member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association and obtained her Board Ready Certification for Excellence in Board Governance by the LCDA, KPMG, and the University of California Law San Francisco that same year.
How does your Latino heritage influence you as a leader?
My Latino heritage infuses my leadership with pride, passion, commitment, and responsibility. I feel privileged to lead Latin America, a region where I have my maternal and paternal roots, and one that has historically been underserved, yet is filled with intrinsically diverse populations full of promise, hope, and opportunity.
Outside of work, what are you passionate about and why?
I am passionate about arts, culture, and travel. As a global citizen that is innately curious, I am constantly inspired by new and rich experiences. It’s why I am so excited to have been nominated to serve a Board Member of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
The Alumni Society’s theme of this year is Leadership for a Changing World. What does it mean to you to lead in a changing world?
Our world is constantly changing, and change can be difficult for those that you lead or with whom you collaborate. It’s important to demonstrate empathy, have faith, offer support and a listening ear, and to stay focused on having a positive impact on the world and those that surround you.
What major changes have you observed in your industry over the past year?
Innovations in the pharmaceutical industry have revolutionized the way we screen, diagnose, and care for patients with cancer, chronic disease, and even those with rare illnesses. In addition, the advent of artificial intelligence is influencing every part of the life sciences industry, from drug discovery to supply chains and even marketing. It’s exciting!
What are you doing to ensure you remain a nimble and adaptable leader during these changing times?
I consider myself an adaptive leader, a concept first introduced by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky, from Harvard and touted by Roselinde Torres in her famous TED Talk, “What It Takes to be a Great Leader.” As an adaptive leader, I maintain an external focus, cultivate a strong network, find win-win solutions, and practice constant self-reflection and self-correction.
Connect with Sarah Aiosa on LinkedIn.
