Karen Russell, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Professional Overview
Karen Russell is an accomplished finance executive with over 15 years of experience leading strategic financial operations across the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. As the Chief Financial Officer at Mercalis, she is responsible for overseeing all financial functions, including financial planning and analysis, treasury, accounting, and investor relations. With a proven track record of driving operational excellence and spearheading transformative initiatives, Karen is a trusted business partner who consistently delivers measurable value to her organizations.

Experience Summary

Current Role
As the CFO of Mercalis, a leading pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization, Karen is responsible for managing the company's financial strategy, planning, and reporting. She works closely with the executive team to optimize financial performance, identify growth opportunities, and ensure operational efficiency. Under her leadership, Mercalis has achieved significant cost savings, improved cash flow, and enhanced financial transparency, contributing to the company's overall success and market competitiveness.

Career Progression
Prior to joining Mercalis, Karen held various senior finance roles at renowned pharmaceutical companies, including Evidera, Patheon, and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). At Evidera, she served as the CFO, where she led the finance function during a period of rapid growth and integration, ensuring seamless financial operations and strategic alignment. At Patheon, she was the VP of Finance for the Drug Product Services division, driving financial performance and supporting the company's global expansion. Earlier in her career, Karen held progressive leadership positions at GSK, where she gained extensive experience in financial planning and analysis, P&L management, and transformational change initiatives.

Academic Background
Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Carolina and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Her strong academic background, combined with her industry expertise, has enabled her to develop a well-rounded understanding of the financial and operational challenges facing pharmaceutical and life sciences organizations.

Areas of Expertise

• Financial strategy and planning

• Operational excellence and process optimization

• Performance management and business partnering

• Mergers, acquisitions, and integration

• Revenue and profit enhancement

• Change management and transformation

Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Karen has demonstrated a keen ability to drive strategic initiatives that enhance financial performance and operational efficiency. At Evidera, she spearheaded the integration of financial systems and processes following a major acquisition, resulting in a 20% reduction in administrative costs. At Patheon, she played a crucial role in the successful implementation of a global ERP system, which improved financial reporting capabilities and enabled better decision-making. At GSK, Karen led the transformation of the finance function, aligning it with the company's evolving business priorities and driving a 15% improvement in operational effectiveness.

Conclusion
With her extensive experience, strong financial acumen, and strategic leadership skills, Karen Russell is poised to continue driving Mercalis' financial success and supporting the company's long-term growth. Her ability to navigate complex business environments, implement innovative solutions, and foster collaborative partnerships makes her a valuable asset to any organization in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry.