Giovanni Caforio

Giovanni Caforio has been chief executive officer of pharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) s ince May 2015 and serving on the company’s Board of Directors since June 2014. In May 2017, he assumed the role of chairman of the board.

As CEO, Giovanni has led the company’s focus on researching and developing transformational medicines, which includes a leading portfolio of immunotherapies that are fundamentally changing the way cancer is treated. Under his leadership, Bristol Myers Squibb is evolving its operating model, in order to increase speed and competitiveness. 

With a background as a physician with an MD in medicine, Giovanni has helped strengthen the company’s patient-focused culture — one driven by innovation, speed, accountability and passion. As a leader, he is focused on the business value of a company culture that promotes and rewards diversity and inclusion. 

Prior to becoming CEO, Giovanni served as chief operating officer with responsibility for leading a fully integrated worldwide commercial organization and the companywide functions of Enterprise Services and Global Manufacturing & Supply. This was preceded by his work as the company’s chief commercial officer. 

Giovanni joined Bristol Myers Squibb in 2000 as vice president and general manager, Italy, in the Worldwide Medicines Group. He assumed added responsibility for Greece and Israel in 2001, and for South East Europe in 2003. In 2004, he was appointed senior vice president, European Marketing and Brand Commercialization. In 2007, he relocated to the U.S. to assume the role of senior vice president, U.S. Oncology. In 2010, he was named senior vice president, Global Commercialization, Oncology and Immunology, before becoming president of the company’s U.S. organization in 2011. 

Prior to joining Bristol Myers Squibb, Giovanni spent 12 years with Abbott Laboratories in a number of leadership positions.