Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Board And Volunteer Leadership
Awards
Hobbies and Interests
REFEREES
Timeline
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RACEY CAROLINE KHASAYI MUCHILWA

Nairobi,P.O. BOX 25618

Summary

Strategic, impact-driven and results-oriented executive with over 24 years of leadership experience in the pharmaceuticals, FMCG, and social business sectors. Seasoned commercial leader, global health expert, and health equity champion. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, driving business transformation, expanding markets, and implementing sustainable governance practices in both stable and volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments in LIC's and LMIC's. Consistently delivers results for underserved populations. Demonstrates commitment to promoting women's empowerment and fostering inclusive health and leadership through active participation on multiple boards.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

President & Head of Sub-Saharan Africa

Novartis Pharma Services / Novartis AG
11.2019 - Current
  • Spearheaded the consolidation of Pharma, Oncology, Sandoz, and Social Business into ONE Novartis.
  • Leading 400+ associates across SSA, driving innovation and access expansion.
  • Built sustainable, cross-division culture and operations across the region.
  • Established a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations and holding individuals responsible for results.
  • Achieved team engagement of over 70% for four consecutive years.
  • Ensured successful launches of our company strategic brands i.e. Leqvio (Sybrava)
  • Achieved up to 5% growth vs industry in markets not impacted by macro-economic challenges
  • Reduced operational costs through strategic cost management initiatives and maintained a double digit profitability / ROS/ROI

Head of Pharmaceutical Business, Africa

Novartis Pharma AG
10.2018 - 11.2019
  • Led operations and strategy for Africa, reporting to APMA regional leadership.
  • Grew Africa sales by 5%+ vs previous period and maintained a double digit profitability.

Global Launch Execution Team

Novartis Pharma AG
06.2018 - 09.2018
  • Supported global commercial launch strategy under the Global Head of Execution by developed a sharepoint for the key markets to use as one-stop reference for best practice sharing for global launches.
  • Facilitated and organized meetings across the different markets for best practice sharing.
  • Managed over 100 requests from global and country leads who needed referrals for best practice on launches whilst driving traffic to the share point

Country Group Head – English East Africa

Novartis Pharma Services / Novartis AG
11.2015 - 09.2018
  • Oversaw business operations in multiple East African countries, delivering strong commercial performance across all the markets apart from Tanzania.
  • Recorded approximately 17%% growth in the tender business in our key market which was contributing 47% of the total sale of the branded and specialist medicines.
  • Achieved a culture of accountability and responsibility despite a challenging leadership transition period. It's within this period, culture and change champions were recruited linking leadership team and the rest of the organization.

Country Manager

AstraZeneca
02.2014 - 10.2015
  • Directed and led commercial operations and market development for Kenya.
  • Successful launch of 3 DPP4's in the market which recorded a 21% sales growth in the 1st year of launch.
  • Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to inform strategic decision making.
  • Verified appropriately priced products and services to secure competitive advantage and desired returns for both our tender and private business.
  • Achieved revenue targets through proactive client engagement strategies that fostered long-term relationships with customers especially our distributors with minimal product expiry and no credit notes.

Business Franchise Head – EEA & Horn of Africa

Novartis Pharma AG
06.2013 - 01.2014
  • Managed established medicines portfolio and market entry strategies of our established medicines across East Africa recording approximately 11% growth vs previous year

Marketing Manager, Pharmaceutical & FMCG

Laborex Eurapharma
06.2009 - 05.2013
  • Managed strategy, branding, and sales functions; acted as Sales & Marketing Director.
  • During my tenure, through my business development role and leadership and we added 5 additional multinationals to our total portfolio with a turnover of over USD15M.
  • Sales performance through the creation of engaging promotional materials and targeted advertising strategies.
  • Led cross-functional teams for product launch events, significantly enhancing market penetration.
  • Analyzed market trends to identify new opportunities, adjusting marketing plans accordingly for maximum effectiveness.
  • Negotiated partnerships with key influencers, maximizing brand exposure in target markets.

Medical Representative to Sales/Marketing Manager

Surgipharm Ltd / GlaxoSmithKline
02.2000 - 05.2009
  • Progressed through multiple commercial roles with increasing responsibility.
  • Successfully launched GSK branded generics in the markets with over 30% growth on the Co-amoxyclav range.
  • Established strong relationships with healthcare professionals, resulting in increased trust and credibility for the organization.
  • Analyzed market to identify new opportunities and strengthen relationships with hospitals, medical centers and primary provider physicians.
  • Regularly exceeded sales targets by establishing rapport with new clients while maintaining long-lasting relationships with existing ones.

Education

French -

Alliance Française
Kenya
01-2024

MBA - International Business Management

University of Nairobi
Kenya
12-2011

B.Sc. - Biochemistry & Zoology

Egerton University
Kenya
12-1998

KCSE -

Alliance Girls' High School
Kenya
12-1992

Skills

  • Executive Leadership & Governance
  • Market Access & Business Development
  • Strategic Planning & Risk Management
  • Team & Culture Transformation
  • Public Health & Social Impact
  • Cross-Functional Global Team Management
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Change Management
  • Financial management
  • Organizational leadership
  • Strategic planning
  • Crisis management

Languages

English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Kiswahili
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Intermediate (B1)

Board And Volunteer Leadership

  • Independent Executive Director – Pathfinder International,
  • President Elect Nominee – Rotary Club of NABO Nairobi,
  • Board Member – Meridian Health Group,
  • Co-Chair – Women Economic Empowerment (WEF Regional Action Group Africa),
  • Mentorship Leader – CITAM ALIVE Program,
  • Founder Member – AIESEC & BASEU,
  • Assistant Leader – CITAM Women's Ministry

Awards

  • Gender Leader Award, Africa CEO Forum, 2024
  • Africa’s Most Inspirational Women in Leadership, 2022, 2024
  • Corporate Catalyst Award, Global Fund for Widows, 2021
  • Leading Women Award, WBCSD, 2020
  • Top 25 C-Suite Women, Business Monthly EA, 2021, 2022

Hobbies and Interests

  • Swimming
  • Dancing
  • Reading
  • Singing and listening to Music

REFEREES

Upon Request

Timeline

President & Head of Sub-Saharan Africa

Novartis Pharma Services / Novartis AG
11.2019 - Current

Head of Pharmaceutical Business, Africa

Novartis Pharma AG
10.2018 - 11.2019

Global Launch Execution Team

Novartis Pharma AG
06.2018 - 09.2018

Country Group Head – English East Africa

Novartis Pharma Services / Novartis AG
11.2015 - 09.2018

Country Manager

AstraZeneca
02.2014 - 10.2015

Business Franchise Head – EEA & Horn of Africa

Novartis Pharma AG
06.2013 - 01.2014

Marketing Manager, Pharmaceutical & FMCG

Laborex Eurapharma
06.2009 - 05.2013

Medical Representative to Sales/Marketing Manager

Surgipharm Ltd / GlaxoSmithKline
02.2000 - 05.2009

French -

Alliance Française

MBA - International Business Management

University of Nairobi

B.Sc. - Biochemistry & Zoology

Egerton University

KCSE -

Alliance Girls' High School

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