Kite Pharma Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Kite Pharma has 4 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, and commercial execution.

Driven by a commitment to patient access, Kite Pharma advances cell therapy to treat and potentially cure cancer, reengineering patient immune cells to combat malignancies and establishing a significant impact in cancer immunotherapy.

Leadership Roles at Kite Pharma

  • Deputy Chief Operating Officer - Neda Swisher
  • Senior Director, Business Strategy & Operations Chief of Staff - Leslie Millington
  • Senior Director, Business Strategy & Global Operations, To The Head of Commercial Chief of Staff - Rachel Hodge
  • Director, Head of Business Strategy and Operations. Chief of Staff - Kristen Draves
  • Neda Swisher - Deputy Chief Operating Officer

    Neda Swisher, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Kite Pharma, drives operational excellence across the company's global manufacturing and supply chain for its pioneering cell therapies. Swisher oversees the complex processes involved in reengineering patient immune cells, ensuring the highest standards of quality and efficiency in treatments for hematologic malignancies. This critical role supports Kite Pharma's commitment to making advanced cancer immunotherapies accessible to eligible patients worldwide. Neda Swisher's leadership focuses on scaling operations to meet growing demand while maintaining the integrity of the specialized manufacturing facilities located in the United States and the Netherlands. By optimizing operational workflows and resource management, Swisher directly contributes to the company's ability to deliver potentially curative treatments and solidify its impact in the pharmaceutical industry.

    Leslie Millington - Senior Director, Business Strategy & Operations Chief of Staff

    Leslie Millington, the Senior Director, Business Strategy & Operations Chief of Staff at Kite Pharma, directs strategic initiatives and operational execution. Millington ensures alignment between high-level business objectives and day-to-day functional activities, supporting the company's mission to make innovative cell therapies accessible. This leadership role involves optimizing internal processes and resource allocation to facilitate the complex manufacturing of engineered T cell therapies. Millington's oversight extends to critical operational frameworks that underpin Kite Pharma's advancements in hematologic malignancy treatments. The focus remains on driving efficiency and strategic coherence across the organization, directly contributing to the company's market impact in cancer immunotherapy. By managing key operational projects, Leslie Millington enhances the company's capacity to deliver life-changing treatments to eligible patients.

    Rachel Hodge - Senior Director, Business Strategy & Global Operations, To The Head of Commercial Chief of Staff

    Rachel Hodge, the Senior Director, Business Strategy & Global Operations, To The Head of Commercial Chief of Staff at Kite Pharma, spearheads strategic planning and global operational frameworks within the commercial division. Hodge ensures seamless integration of business strategy with global operational execution, directly supporting Kite Pharma's commitment to patient access for its pioneering cell therapies. This role involves refining commercial operations to enhance the delivery of treatments for hematologic malignancies. By managing key strategic projects, Rachel Hodge strengthens the company's ability to scale its specialized cancer immunotherapy treatments. The focus is on driving operational excellence across international markets, ensuring that Kite Pharma's innovative reengineered T cell therapies reach eligible patients efficiently. Hodge's leadership ensures that commercial strategies are robustly supported by agile and effective global operations, solidifying Kite Pharma's position in the pharmaceutical landscape.

    Kristen Draves - Director, Head of Business Strategy and Operations. Chief of Staff

    Kristen Draves, the Director, Head of Business Strategy and Operations. Chief of Staff at Kite Pharma, architects business strategy and operational frameworks to advance the company's mission. Draves focuses on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of Kite Pharma's cell therapy manufacturing and distribution processes, critical for treating hematologic malignancies. This leadership position involves translating strategic visions into actionable operational plans, ensuring that the reengineering of patient immune cells is managed with precision. Kristen Draves drives initiatives that support the accessibility of these innovative cancer treatments to eligible patients. The operational oversight extends to optimizing resource deployment and streamlining workflows across Kite Pharma's specialized facilities. By aligning business strategy with operational execution, Draves significantly contributes to the company's ongoing advancements in cancer immunotherapy and its market presence.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Kite Pharma Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Kite Pharma?
    Kite Pharma is led by Neda Swisher (Deputy Chief Operating Officer), along with executives such as Leslie Millington (Senior Director, Business Strategy & Operations Chief of Staff) and Rachel Hodge (Senior Director, Business Strategy & Global Operations, To The Head of Commercial Chief of Staff).
    Who is part of Kite Pharma’s executive team?
    The executive team of Kite Pharma includes leaders such as Neda Swisher (Deputy Chief Operating Officer), Leslie Millington (Senior Director, Business Strategy & Operations Chief of Staff), Rachel Hodge (Senior Director, Business Strategy & Global Operations, To The Head of Commercial Chief of Staff) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Kite Pharma have?
    Kite Pharma has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Kite Pharma’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Kite Pharma includes roles such as Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Senior Director, Business Strategy & Operations Chief of Staff, Senior Director, Business Strategy & Global Operations, To The Head of Commercial Chief of Staff, Director, Head of Business Strategy and Operations. Chief of Staff.