RIDGEFIELD, CT -- The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation (BI Cares), a Ridgefield, Connecticut-based nonprofit organization with a mission to improve patients’ lives and strengthen communities, today announced the addition of new leaders to oversee the Foundation’s direction and programs.
Karen Iannella, a resident of Brookfield, Connecticut, was appointed BI Cares President and is responsible for the Foundation’s community-driven programs, which improve access to healthcare and enhance STEM education with a focus on the underserved. In addition, she serves as Head, US Communications and Patient Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Karen has more than 25 years of experience in the health care industry in areas including marketing, business development, patient advocacy and professional relations.
The BI Cares Steering Committee, a 12-member group of cross-functional leaders, applies their leadership skills to provide strategic input and make community investment decisions. The new additions to the Steering Committee are as follows:
- Heidi De Wit-Sommerfeld, a resident of Suwanee, Georgia, leads U.S. Communications for the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health business at its U.S. headquarters in Duluth, GA. In addition to a strong international and multi-cultural background, she has a wealth of experience in communications and healthcare.
- Dr. Jay Fine, a resident of Mount Kisco, New York, is Vice President and Global Therapeutic Area Head of Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research at Boehringer Ingelheim. He is the author of over 60 scientific publications and patents, and has received numerous honors and awards.
- Graham Goodrich, a resident of Darien, Connecticut, is Vice President, Marketing for Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals’ diverse portfolio of diabetes products. His career includes more than 20 years of marketing, sales and management experience in biopharmaceutical and management consulting industries.
- Dan Kraus, a resident of Brookfield, Connecticut, is Head, U.S. Information Technology at Boehringer Ingelheim, responsible for leading the U.S. functional team and supporting key strategic and operational business initiatives.
“The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation is thrilled to have Karen Iannella as our new president supported by a strong Steering Committee of talented, socially conscious leaders,” said Paul Fonteyne, Chairman, Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Board of Directors. “Together the team will implement our new five-year strategy to improve the lives of patients in need, strengthen our communities, and increase our impact.”
The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy lists BI Cares as the #1 foundation in Connecticut based on total giving (financial contributions plus product donations) in its annual report, Giving in Connecticut 2015.
Click here to see a one-page summary of BI’s Corporate Social Responsibility program.
About Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation
Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation is a nonprofit foundation with a mission to provide “more health” to patients, families and communities through its major programs:
- A Patient Assistance Program that makes our branded medicines available free of charge to patients without prescription insurance coverage who meet certain eligibility criteria
- A Product Donation Program that donates Boehringer Ingelheim medicines to approved nonprofit partners who meet certain standards, and who distribute the medicines around the world where there is tremendous unmet need
- A Strategic Community Investment Program that provides financial support to Connecticut community-driven programs that improve access to healthcare and enhance STEM education for the underserved
- A Skills-based Volunteer Program through which employees donate their time and skills to nonprofit organizations to help fill community needs
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation. Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, the company operates globally with approximately 50,000 employees. Since its founding in 1885, the company has remained family-owned and today creates value through innovation for three business areas including human pharmaceuticals, animal health and biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and providing valuable services and support to patients and their families. Our employees create and engage in programs that strengthen our communities. Please visit our website to learn more about how we make more health for more people through our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. In 2016, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $17.6 billion (15.9 billion euros). R&D expenditure corresponds to 19.6 percent of its net sales.
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