Kenneth C. Frazier, Executive Chairman & Former CEO, Merck & Co.

Episode 028 – Kenneth C. Frazier, Executive Chairman & Former CEO, Merck & Co.

On this episode of the Executives’ Exchange, Kenneth C. Frazier, Executive Chairman and former CEO of Merck is joined by Margaret Mueller, the Executives’ Club of Chicago’s President & CEO. Frazier discusses his experiences working as a lawyer and activist and how it defined him as a leader. Tune in to hear how his values play out in his successful career. 

01:17 – Kenneth discusses his upbringing in Philadelphia and how it has defined him as a leader
02:52 – Kenneth describes his first job & segregation
04:52 – How powerful advocacy work at the start of his career shaped Kenneth’s leadership as a CEO
10:17 – Kenneth discusses his ambition to become CEO as a general counsel & what people saw in him that he did not see in himself
14:43 – How one can embody their employee’s values, goals and ambitions.
15:50 – A company’s “soul” & how Kenneth found Merck’s soul as CEO
18:00 – Kenneth discusses Covid-19, Merck’s development of a new oral drug, and the global impact it may have
24:32 – How Kenneth’s values translated to his company’s work and vision
28:01 – Kenneth discusses his position on the President’s business council
31:48 – Kenneth discusses company’s positions and progress on racial and social justice in this country
36:17 – Kenneth discusses his transition to chairman at Merck & and what he brings to the table

Episode link: Merck

Host: Margaret Mueller, CEO & President, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago

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