Biotech CEO Sisterhood: Alnylam CEO Yvonne Greenstreet on her career path, the importance of diversity of opinions, and leading Alnlyam into a critical phase of growth

Interviewed by Sisterhood editorial board member Sheila Gujrathi, Yvonne Greenstreet describes her upbringing and early career as a physician in the UK, her decision to get an MBA, and the mentors who have impacted her path. She describes joining Alnylam in 2016, and the growth that has happened there since then. Plus, how being CEO has been different, and the values she prioritizes as a leader.

Biographies

Yvonne Greenstreet, MBChB, MBA

Dr. Yvonne Greenstreet joined Alnylam in 2016 as Chief Operating Officer, was promoted to President and COO in 2020, and was appointed as a Director and Chief Executive Officer in late 2021. Yvonne has more than 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, driving strategy and innovation, bringing transformative medicines to patients, and building successful businesses in the US, Europe and globally.

Between 2011 and 2013, Yvonne was Senior Vice President and Head of Medicines Development at Pfizer serving on the executive team leading a rapidly growing $16bn division. Prior to Pfizer, she was at GlaxoSmithKline plc for 18 years, where she was Senior Vice President and Chief of Strategy for Research and Development. Yvonne had previously been in various positions of increasing responsibility at GSK, including Senior Vice President for Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer for Europe.

Yvonne trained as a physician and earned her medical degree (MBChB) from The University of Leeds in the UK. She also holds an MBA from INSEAD Business school in France. She serves on the board of directors of The American Funds. Yvonne is a member of the Discovery Council of Harvard Medical School, and the Council on Foreign Relations. She is also a member of the Biotechnology Industry Organization Health Section Governing Board and the board of the Biomedical Science Careers Program. Yvonne was recognized as the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association 2024 Woman of the Year.

Sheila Gujrathi, MD is a biotech entrepreneur, healthcare investor, and drug developer with over 25 years of experience. She serves as chair of ADARx, Ventyx, and Lila Bio, and director of Janux. She previously served as chair of Turning Point (acquired by BMS for $4.1B) and ImmPACT Bio (acquired by Lyell). Dr. Gujrathi is the co-founder and former CEO of Gossamer Bio. Prior to Gossamer Bio, she served as chief medical officer of Receptos (acquired by Celgene for $7.2B). At Receptos, she led the development of Zeposia®, which is approved for multiple sclerosis and for ulcerative colitis. Previously, she was the immunology therapeutic area head at BMS and held multiple roles in immunology and oncology at Genentech. Earlier in her career, she was a management consultant at McKinsey and completed her medical training at Harvard, UCSF and Stanford.

Dr. Gujrathi has earned multiple awards, including Corporate Directors Forum Director of the Year; Healthcare Technology Report Top 25 Women Leaders; Athena Pinnacle Award, and was named among the Fiercest Women in Life Sciences. Dr. Gujrathi is passionate about making the working world safe and inclusive for women and other minority groups. She is co-founder of the Biotech CEO Sisterhood and the South Asian Biopharma Alliance. She received both her M.D. and B.S. in biomedical engineering in the accelerated Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern University where she was the 2024 commencement speaker.