In February 2022, Frank Clyburn was named as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of the International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF’s) Board of Directors. The announcement increased the number of black executives leading Fortune 500 companies to six. The five other Fortune 500 Black CEOs include Lowe’s Marvin Ellison, Walgreens Boots Alliance’s Roz Brewer, TIAA’s Thasunda Brown Duckett, M&T Bank’s René F. Jones and Quarte Retail’s David Rawlinson II.
Prior to joining IFF, Clyburn served as the Executive Vice President and President of Human Health for Merck & Co. (Merck), where he had full P&L responsibility for their largest business. During his tenure, he was also responsible for building one of the leading oncology businesses in the world, which is the largest business within Merck and has transformed cancer care on a global scale. He was an integral part of the integration of Merck’s $41 billion acquisition of Schering-Plough, where the company achieved strong top-line growth and delivered significant cost synergies.
Merck
Clyburn joined Merck in 2008 and held various positions including Chief Commercial Officer, the inaugural president of the company’s Global Oncology business, and President of its Primary Care and Women’s Health businesses.
Clyburn also spearheaded the creation of Merck’s Global Oncology business. Clyburn also executed the worldwide launch of Merck’s immuno-oncology medicine which helped establish the company as a leader in oncology.
Sanofi Aventis
Previously, Clyburn was Vice President of the Oncology and Internal Medicine business units at Sanofi Aventis and held a wide range of leadership roles with the company. He was actively involved in the $65 billion integration of Sanofi and Aventis.
Education
Clyburn received his Master of Business Administration degree from Arizona State University and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin & Marshall College.
- Arizona State University (1998 - 2000)
Master of Business Administration - MBA - Franklin & Marshall College (1982 - 1986)
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts
Board Membership
- European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)
- Chairman, Board of Trustees - Thomas Edison State University
- Past: DuPont
Fun Fact:
- Philadelphia Eagles fan.
Peronal Life
Frank Clyburn’s profile is part of our Black Excellence Series.