Novartis Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Novartis has 10 executives leading key functions including finance, country leadership, and medical strategy.

Driven by a commitment to innovation, Novartis is dedicated to reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. The company's leadership philosophy centers on scientific excellence and patient-centric solutions, aiming to address significant unmet medical needs globally.

Leadership Roles at Novartis

  • Group Chief Financial Officer, Novartis Gulf & Saudi Country - Daley Sebastian
  • Chief Financial Officer, Cluster (Asia) - Priya Deepak
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - William O'Connor
  • Chief Financial Officer (Taiwan) - Hector Cao
  • Chief Financial Officer, Levant - Irfan Parkar
  • Country President - Victoria Tian
  • Country President - Elad Maron
  • Customer Engagement Chief of Staff (US) - Soukaïna Mouallif
  • Chief of Staff, Discovery Sciences - Michelle Lawson
  • Chief Medical Officer, , Novartis Innovative Medicines International (Japan) - Matthew Robson
  • Daley Sebastian - Group Chief Financial Officer, Novartis Gulf & Saudi Country

    Daley Sebastian, the Group Chief Financial Officer, Novartis Gulf & Saudi Country, directs financial operations across key Middle Eastern markets. This leadership role involves managing fiscal strategy, budget allocation, and financial reporting to ensure robust economic performance within the Gulf and Saudi Arabian regions. Sebastian oversees financial planning and analysis, driving profitability and resource optimization for Novartis's operations in these critical territories. The financial oversight extends to investment strategies and risk management, aligning regional financial activities with global corporate objectives. Daley Sebastian ensures compliance with local financial regulations while supporting the company's growth initiatives through sound fiscal management.

    Priya Deepak - Chief Financial Officer, Cluster (Asia)

    Priya Deepak, the Chief Financial Officer, Cluster (Asia), manages the financial health and strategic fiscal planning for Novartis's operations across various Asian markets. This executive role encompasses overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting to support regional business objectives and growth. Deepak drives financial discipline and efficiency, ensuring optimal resource allocation to advance the development and delivery of innovative healthcare solutions throughout Asia. The responsibilities include managing financial risks, identifying investment opportunities, and ensuring compliance with diverse regional financial regulations. Priya Deepak's leadership ensures that financial strategies directly contribute to improving patient access to Novartis's treatments across the Asian cluster.

    William O'Connor - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    William O'Connor, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, directs the global financial strategy and operations for Novartis. This pivotal role involves overseeing all aspects of financial management, including accounting, treasury, tax, and investor relations, to ensure the company's financial stability and growth. O'Connor drives financial planning and analysis, capital allocation, and risk management to support Novartis's mission of reimagining medicine. The executive leadership ensures robust financial controls and reporting mechanisms are in place, providing critical insights for strategic decision-making across all business units. William O'Connor's financial stewardship is essential for funding research and development initiatives and expanding access to innovative treatments worldwide.

    Hector Cao - Chief Financial Officer (Taiwan)

    Hector Cao, the Chief Financial Officer (Taiwan), oversees all financial activities and strategic fiscal planning for Novartis's operations within Taiwan. This leadership position involves managing financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting to support the company's objectives in the Taiwanese market. Cao drives financial efficiency and compliance, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to advance the development and delivery of innovative healthcare solutions. The role requires meticulous attention to financial regulations and market dynamics specific to Taiwan. Hector Cao's financial expertise contributes to the sustainable growth and operational success of Novartis in the region, supporting improved patient outcomes through strategic financial management.

    Irfan Parkar - Chief Financial Officer, Levant

    Irfan Parkar, the Chief Financial Officer, Levant, leads financial strategy and operations for Novartis across the Levant region. This executive function involves managing fiscal planning, budget execution, and financial reporting to ensure the economic viability and growth of operations in this key territory. Parkar drives initiatives to optimize financial performance, manage risks, and ensure compliance with local financial regulations. The role requires close coordination with regional business leaders to align financial objectives with market-specific strategies for delivering innovative medicines. Irfan Parkar's financial oversight supports the expansion of Novartis's healthcare solutions, contributing to improved patient access and outcomes throughout the Levant.

    Victoria Tian - Country President

    Victoria Tian, the Country President, directs Novartis's overall business strategy and operations within a specific country. This executive leadership role involves overseeing all commercial, medical, and operational functions to ensure alignment with global corporate goals and local market needs. Tian drives market access initiatives, fosters stakeholder relationships, and champions the company's commitment to improving patient lives through innovative therapies. The position requires strategic vision to navigate complex healthcare landscapes and regulatory environments. Victoria Tian's leadership ensures the effective delivery of Novartis's portfolio, contributing significantly to patient outcomes and the company's presence in the designated country.

    Elad Maron - Country President

    Elad Maron, the Country President, spearheads Novartis's strategic direction and operational execution within a designated country. This senior leadership position encompasses managing all facets of the business, from commercial activities to medical affairs, ensuring seamless integration with global strategies. Maron cultivates key relationships with healthcare stakeholders and regulatory bodies to facilitate market access for innovative pharmaceutical solutions. The role demands a comprehensive understanding of the local healthcare ecosystem to drive patient-centric initiatives. Elad Maron's leadership ensures the effective deployment of Novartis's therapeutic advancements, significantly contributing to enhancing patient well-being and expanding healthcare access within the country.

    Soukaïna Mouallif - Customer Engagement Chief of Staff (US)

    Soukaïna Mouallif, the Customer Engagement Chief of Staff (US), architects strategies to enhance customer interaction and experience within the United States. This position involves coordinating cross-functional teams to optimize engagement touchpoints and drive customer loyalty. Mouallif focuses on developing and implementing innovative customer engagement programs that align with Novartis's mission to improve patient outcomes. The role requires close collaboration with marketing, sales, and digital teams to ensure a cohesive and impactful customer journey. Soukaïna Mouallif drives initiatives that leverage data analytics to personalize customer interactions and measure engagement effectiveness, contributing directly to market penetration and brand advocacy.

    Michelle Lawson - Chief of Staff, Discovery Sciences

    Michelle Lawson, the Chief of Staff, Discovery Sciences, provides strategic operational support and drives key initiatives within Novartis's early-stage research and development functions. This role involves coordinating efforts across scientific teams to accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutic compounds and technologies. Lawson facilitates communication and collaboration between research groups, ensuring alignment with the company's overarching R&D strategy. The position requires a deep understanding of scientific processes and project management to streamline workflows and enhance research productivity. Michelle Lawson supports the leadership in resource planning and strategic decision-making, aiming to expedite the translation of scientific breakthroughs into potential patient treatments.

    Matthew Robson - Chief Medical Officer, , Novartis Innovative Medicines International (Japan)

    Matthew Robson, the Chief Medical Officer, Novartis Innovative Medicines International (Japan), leads the medical strategy and clinical development for innovative medicines within Japan. This critical role involves overseeing clinical trial execution, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, and translating scientific insights into patient benefit. Robson guides the medical affairs teams in engaging with healthcare professionals and key opinion leaders to advance understanding and adoption of novel therapies. The focus is on ensuring that Novartis's innovative treatments meet the specific medical needs of the Japanese population. Matthew Robson's medical expertise is fundamental to driving the successful introduction and utilization of groundbreaking medicines, ultimately improving patient health outcomes in Japan.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Novartis Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Novartis?
    Novartis is led by Daley Sebastian (Group Chief Financial Officer, Novartis Gulf & Saudi Country), along with executives such as Priya Deepak (Chief Financial Officer, Cluster (Asia)) and William O'Connor (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Novartis’s executive team?
    The executive team of Novartis includes leaders such as Daley Sebastian (Group Chief Financial Officer, Novartis Gulf & Saudi Country), Priya Deepak (Chief Financial Officer, Cluster (Asia)), William O'Connor (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Novartis have?
    Novartis has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Novartis’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Novartis includes roles such as Group Chief Financial Officer, Novartis Gulf & Saudi Country, Chief Financial Officer, Cluster (Asia), Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer (Taiwan), Chief Financial Officer, Levant.