Novavax Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Novavax has 7 executives leading key functions including information technology, human resources, chief of staff, medical affairs, clinical development, legal, and corporate governance.

Driven by a commitment to global health, Novavax focuses on discovering, developing, and commercializing vaccines to combat serious infectious diseases, leveraging a proprietary technology platform to enhance immune response and address unmet medical needs.

Leadership Roles at Novavax

  • Vice President, Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer - Donald Baines
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer - Biegie Lee
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer - Ian Watkins
  • Chief Medical Officer - Louis Fries
  • Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer - Raburn Mallory
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer - Robert Walker
  • Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary - Mark Casey
  • Donald Baines - Vice President, Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer

    Donald Baines, the Vice President, Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer at Novavax, provides strategic operational support and drives key initiatives across the organization. This role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with the CEO's vision and company objectives, particularly in the development and commercialization of vaccines. Donald Baines facilitates critical decision-making processes and manages special projects that advance Novavax's scientific and business goals. The Chief of Staff's responsibilities include enhancing communication channels between leadership and various departments, ensuring efficient execution of strategic plans. Baines's work directly contributes to Novavax's ability to navigate complex challenges in the biotechnology sector and accelerate the delivery of life-saving vaccines to global markets.

    Biegie Lee - Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer

    Biegie Lee, the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer at Novavax, directs all information technology strategy and operations. Overseeing the company's digital infrastructure, Lee ensures robust cybersecurity measures and scalable systems to support Novavax's global vaccine development and commercialization efforts. This leadership role involves managing the integration of advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and data integrity across all departments. By optimizing IT resources, Biegie Lee directly supports the company's mission to deliver innovative vaccines. The Chief Information Officer's responsibilities extend to driving digital transformation initiatives, ensuring seamless data flow for research and development, and maintaining compliance with all relevant data privacy regulations. Lee's strategic vision for technology infrastructure underpins Novavax's ability to respond rapidly to public health challenges and expand its market reach.

    Ian Watkins - Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Ian Watkins, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Novavax, architects the company's global human capital strategy. Overseeing talent acquisition, development, and retention, Watkins ensures Novavax cultivates a high-performing workforce dedicated to its mission of combating infectious diseases. This executive role involves fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, essential for the complex scientific endeavors Novavax undertakes. By aligning HR initiatives with business objectives, Ian Watkins drives employee engagement and organizational effectiveness. The Chief Human Resources Officer's purview includes compensation and benefits, employee relations, and organizational design, all critical for supporting Novavax's rapid growth and international operations. Watkins' leadership ensures the company has the skilled personnel necessary to advance its vaccine pipeline and achieve its commercial goals.
    Ian Watkins

    Louis Fries - Chief Medical Officer

    Louis Fries, the Chief Medical Officer at Novavax, leads the company's clinical development and medical affairs strategy. Overseeing the design and execution of clinical trials, Fries ensures the safety and efficacy of Novavax's vaccine candidates targeting serious infectious diseases. This critical role involves translating scientific innovation into tangible health solutions, guiding the progression of vaccine candidates through regulatory pathways. The Chief Medical Officer's responsibilities include providing medical expertise to research teams, engaging with regulatory bodies, and shaping the company's overall medical strategy. Louis Fries's leadership is instrumental in advancing Novavax's pipeline, including vaccines for COVID-19, influenza, and other significant pathogens, ultimately contributing to improved global public health outcomes.

    Raburn Mallory - Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer

    Raburn Mallory, the Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Novavax, plays a pivotal role in advancing the company's vaccine candidates through rigorous clinical testing. Overseeing the operational aspects of clinical development, Mallory ensures that trials are conducted efficiently and in compliance with global regulatory standards. This position involves close collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer and clinical research teams to optimize trial design and data analysis for vaccines targeting infectious diseases. Raburn Mallory's expertise directly supports Novavax's mission to bring innovative preventative health solutions to market. The responsibilities include managing clinical operations, ensuring data integrity, and contributing to the strategic direction of Novavax's clinical programs, thereby accelerating the availability of crucial vaccines.

    Robert Walker - Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

    Robert Walker, the Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Novavax, directs the company's comprehensive medical strategy and clinical research initiatives. Overseeing the development and execution of clinical trials, Walker ensures the rigorous evaluation of Novavax's vaccine candidates for infectious diseases. This leadership position involves providing critical medical insights to guide the progression of vaccine development, from preclinical stages through to regulatory submission. Robert Walker's expertise is essential for navigating the complex scientific and regulatory landscape of vaccine innovation. The Chief Medical Officer's purview includes fostering collaborations with medical experts and ensuring adherence to the highest ethical and scientific standards in all clinical endeavors, thereby reinforcing Novavax's commitment to public health.
    Robert Walker
    Mark Casey, the Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary at Novavax, oversees all legal affairs and corporate governance functions. This role involves providing strategic legal counsel on matters ranging from intellectual property and regulatory compliance to corporate transactions and litigation. Mark Casey ensures that Novavax operates within the legal framework required for a global biotechnology company, safeguarding its assets and reputation. The Chief Legal Officer's responsibilities include managing the company's legal team, advising the Board of Directors, and overseeing corporate secretarial duties. Casey's expertise is critical in navigating the complex legal landscape of vaccine development and commercialization, supporting Novavax's mission to protect against infectious diseases.
    Mark Casey

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Novavax Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Novavax?
    Novavax is led by Donald Baines (Vice President, Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Biegie Lee (Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer) and Ian Watkins (Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer).
    Who is part of Novavax’s executive team?
    The executive team of Novavax includes leaders such as Donald Baines (Vice President, Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer), Biegie Lee (Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer), Ian Watkins (Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Novavax have?
    Novavax has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Novavax’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Novavax includes roles such as Vice President, Chief of Staff To the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer.