Astellas Pharma Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Astellas Pharma has 10 executives leading key functions including corporate strategy, financial oversight, marketing operations, strategic collaboration, research development, and regional management.

Focused on advancing global health through innovative pharmaceutical manufacturing, Astellas Pharma delivers life-changing therapies while maintaining a commitment to excellence in research, development, and international market expansion.

Leadership Roles at Astellas Pharma

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Naoki Okamura
  • Chief Financial Officer - Atsushi Kitamura
  • Country President and General Manager - South Cone Cluster and LATAM Partnership Markets - Samuel Mantilha
  • Chief Marketing Officer, Lead, Office, Strategic Operations - Kenichi Kazuta
  • Head of Strategic Collaboration Chief of Staff - Sand'Eria Lewis
  • Chief Marketing Officer & Manager, External Manufacturing Integration - Matthew Brieger
  • Vice President, Chief of Staff for Research and Development, Head of CRDO Office - Tomohiro Kusawake
  • Chief Marketing Officer, Lead Office (Reporting & Analytics) - Dhanush Adiga
  • Chief People Officer, Enterprise Programs Lead, Office of & Director, Level) - Samantha Yuen
  • Associate Director, External Manufacturing Integration - Carmen Watson
  • Naoki Okamura - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Naoki Okamura, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Astellas Pharma, directs the overarching corporate strategy and global pharmaceutical manufacturing initiatives. Overseeing the entire organizational structure, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between research breakthroughs and commercial viability. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory environments across international markets to sustain long-term growth. By prioritizing innovation in drug development, Naoki Okamura drives the company toward achieving significant therapeutic milestones. The President & Chief Executive Officer maintains close collaboration with the Board to refine operational goals and enhance shareholder value. Through rigorous oversight of global supply chains and clinical pipelines, the executive secures the competitive position of the firm. Ultimately, Okamura fosters a culture of scientific excellence that defines the current market trajectory of the organization while ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality medical solutions to patients worldwide.
    Naoki Okamura

    Atsushi Kitamura - Chief Financial Officer

    Atsushi Kitamura, the Chief Financial Officer at Astellas Pharma, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies essential for pharmaceutical manufacturing success. Overseeing global financial reporting and risk management, the Chief Financial Officer ensures transparency and compliance across all regional operations. This leadership role involves optimizing investment in research and development to maximize returns on therapeutic assets. By implementing robust financial controls, Atsushi Kitamura supports the sustainable growth of the enterprise. The Chief Financial Officer coordinates with executive leadership to align budgetary resources with long-term strategic objectives. Through meticulous analysis of market trends and economic indicators, Kitamura strengthens the balance sheet and enhances operational efficiency. The executive provides critical insights that guide capital deployment, ensuring the company maintains a strong position in the competitive global pharmaceutical landscape while delivering consistent value to stakeholders through disciplined financial stewardship and strategic resource management.

    Samuel Mantilha - Country President and General Manager - South Cone Cluster and LATAM Partnership Markets

    Samuel Mantilha, the Country President and General Manager - South Cone Cluster and LATAM Partnership Markets at Astellas Pharma, directs all pharmaceutical operations and commercial activities across the South Cone and LATAM regions. Overseeing regional market expansion, the Country President and General Manager - South Cone Cluster and LATAM Partnership Markets ensures that the company's therapeutic portfolio meets the specific healthcare needs of these diverse markets. This leadership role involves managing local regulatory relationships and building strategic partnerships to strengthen the company's presence. By tailoring commercial strategies to regional dynamics, Samuel Mantilha drives revenue growth and market share. The Country President and General Manager - South Cone Cluster and LATAM Partnership Markets coordinates with global leadership to align regional performance with the broader corporate mission. Through effective local management, Mantilha ensures that the firm delivers high-quality medical solutions to patients throughout the region while maintaining operational excellence and compliance.

    Kenichi Kazuta - Chief Marketing Officer, Lead, Office, Strategic Operations

    Kenichi Kazuta, the Chief Marketing Officer, Lead, Office, Strategic Operations at Astellas Pharma, architects the commercialization strategies for the pharmaceutical portfolio. Overseeing the integration of marketing operations with strategic business units, the Chief Marketing Officer, Lead, Office, Strategic Operations ensures that product messaging reaches key healthcare providers effectively. This leadership role involves analyzing market data to identify growth opportunities within the global pharmaceutical sector. By aligning promotional activities with clinical evidence, Kenichi Kazuta drives brand awareness and product adoption. The Chief Marketing Officer, Lead, Office, Strategic Operations collaborates with cross-functional teams to streamline the launch of new therapies. Through the implementation of data-driven marketing frameworks, Kazuta optimizes the reach of the company's medical solutions. The executive ensures that strategic operations remain agile, allowing the organization to respond rapidly to shifting market demands while maintaining a strong focus on patient-centric communication and therapeutic value.

    Sand'Eria Lewis - Head of Strategic Collaboration Chief of Staff

    Sand'Eria Lewis, the Head of Strategic Collaboration Chief of Staff at Astellas Pharma, facilitates high-level partnerships and internal alignment across the pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem. Overseeing the coordination of strategic initiatives, the Head of Strategic Collaboration Chief of Staff ensures that cross-departmental projects support the core mission of the organization. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships to accelerate the development of innovative medical solutions. By streamlining communication between executive leadership and operational teams, Sand'Eria Lewis drives organizational efficiency. The Head of Strategic Collaboration Chief of Staff monitors the progress of key collaborations to ensure they meet rigorous performance standards. Through the synthesis of diverse operational inputs, Lewis provides the executive team with actionable intelligence. The executive plays a vital role in maintaining the cohesion of the company's strategic agenda, ensuring that all collaborative efforts contribute directly to the advancement of the firm's global pharmaceutical objectives.

    Matthew Brieger - Chief Marketing Officer & Manager, External Manufacturing Integration

    Matthew Brieger, the Chief Marketing Officer & Manager, External Manufacturing Integration at Astellas Pharma, directs the commercial strategy while overseeing the seamless integration of external manufacturing partners. Overseeing the supply chain interface, the Chief Marketing Officer & Manager, External Manufacturing Integration ensures that production capacity aligns with global market demand for pharmaceutical products. This leadership role involves managing relationships with third-party manufacturers to maintain quality standards and operational continuity. By optimizing the link between manufacturing output and commercial distribution, Matthew Brieger drives market penetration for key therapeutic lines. The Chief Marketing Officer & Manager, External Manufacturing Integration collaborates with internal teams to ensure that external production processes meet the company's stringent regulatory requirements. Through the strategic management of external partnerships, Brieger enhances the scalability of the firm's operations. The executive ensures that the company maintains a robust and flexible supply chain capable of supporting long-term growth.

    Tomohiro Kusawake - Vice President, Chief of Staff for Research and Development, Head of CRDO Office

    Tomohiro Kusawake, the Vice President, Chief of Staff for Research and Development, Head of CRDO Office at Astellas Pharma, manages the operational infrastructure supporting the company's pharmaceutical research and development pipeline. Overseeing the administrative and strategic functions of the R&D division, the Vice President, Chief of Staff for Research and Development, Head of CRDO Office ensures that scientific teams have the resources necessary to advance clinical trials. This leadership role involves coordinating complex research projects to accelerate the discovery of new medical treatments. By optimizing the workflow within the R&D office, Tomohiro Kusawake drives the efficiency of the drug development process. The Vice President, Chief of Staff for Research and Development, Head of CRDO Office collaborates with senior scientists to align research goals with the company's long-term therapeutic strategy. Through rigorous project management, Kusawake ensures that the R&D pipeline remains productive and focused on high-impact medical innovations.

    Dhanush Adiga - Chief Marketing Officer, Lead Office (Reporting & Analytics)

    Dhanush Adiga, the Chief Marketing Officer, Lead Office (Reporting & Analytics) at Astellas Pharma, directs the data-driven marketing strategy through advanced reporting and analytical frameworks. Overseeing the interpretation of market performance metrics, the Chief Marketing Officer, Lead Office (Reporting & Analytics) ensures that commercial decisions are backed by rigorous quantitative evidence. This leadership role involves developing sophisticated analytics tools to track the success of pharmaceutical product launches across diverse regions. By transforming complex data into actionable insights, Dhanush Adiga drives the optimization of marketing spend and resource allocation. The Chief Marketing Officer, Lead Office (Reporting & Analytics) collaborates with regional teams to refine commercial tactics based on real-time performance data. Through the implementation of robust reporting systems, Adiga enhances the transparency and accountability of the marketing function. The executive ensures that the company maintains a competitive edge by leveraging data to anticipate market shifts and improve patient outcomes.

    Samantha Yuen - Chief People Officer, Enterprise Programs Lead, Office of & Director, Level)

    Samantha Yuen, the Chief People Officer, Enterprise Programs Lead, Office of & Director, Level) at Astellas Pharma, directs the human capital strategy and enterprise-wide organizational development programs. Overseeing talent acquisition, employee engagement, and leadership development, the Chief People Officer, Enterprise Programs Lead, Office of & Director, Level) ensures that the workforce is aligned with the company's mission of pharmaceutical innovation. This leadership role involves designing programs that foster a culture of excellence and inclusivity across the global organization. By implementing strategic HR initiatives, Samantha Yuen drives employee performance and organizational agility. The Chief People Officer, Enterprise Programs Lead, Office of & Director, Level) collaborates with the executive team to ensure that human resource policies support the company's long-term growth objectives. Through the management of enterprise programs, Yuen strengthens the internal capabilities of the firm. The executive ensures that the organization attracts and retains the talent necessary to maintain its leadership in the pharmaceutical industry.

    Carmen Watson - Associate Director, External Manufacturing Integration

    Carmen Watson, the Associate Director, External Manufacturing Integration at Astellas Pharma, manages the technical and operational integration of third-party manufacturing facilities into the company's global supply chain. Overseeing the quality assurance and process alignment for external partners, the Associate Director, External Manufacturing Integration ensures that all outsourced production meets the company's rigorous pharmaceutical standards. This leadership role involves auditing manufacturing processes and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency and reliability. By coordinating between internal quality teams and external manufacturers, Carmen Watson drives the consistency of the product supply. The Associate Director, External Manufacturing Integration collaborates with cross-functional departments to resolve production bottlenecks and ensure timely delivery of medical products. Through the meticulous management of external manufacturing relationships, Watson supports the scalability of the company's operations. The executive ensures that the firm maintains a resilient supply chain capable of meeting global demand for its pharmaceutical portfolio.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Astellas Pharma Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Astellas Pharma?
    Astellas Pharma is led by Naoki Okamura (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Atsushi Kitamura (Chief Financial Officer) and Samuel Mantilha (Country President and General Manager - South Cone Cluster and LATAM Partnership Markets).
    Who is part of Astellas Pharma’s executive team?
    The executive team of Astellas Pharma includes leaders such as Naoki Okamura (President & Chief Executive Officer), Atsushi Kitamura (Chief Financial Officer), Samuel Mantilha (Country President and General Manager - South Cone Cluster and LATAM Partnership Markets) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Astellas Pharma have?
    Astellas Pharma has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Astellas Pharma’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Astellas Pharma includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Country President and General Manager - South Cone Cluster and LATAM Partnership Markets, Chief Marketing Officer, Lead, Office, Strategic Operations, Head of Strategic Collaboration Chief of Staff.