Racey Muchilwa serves as the Head of Novartis Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), overseeing operations in 46 countries. Since assuming the role in 2019, she has spearheaded a strategic business transformation despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her efforts have involved integrating three major business divisions under unified leadership and charting a new strategic direction prioritizing patient reach alongside traditional business metrics like sales.
With SSA housing one of the world’s largest underserved populations, Muchilwa aims to accelerate access to healthcare and high-quality medicines for over 1 billion people in the region. With over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry across various multinational companies, Muchilwa started her career as a Medical Representative and progressed through roles of increasing responsibility in general management, marketing, and commercial functions. Prior to her current position, she served as the Head of the Novartis Africa Cluster, Pharmaceuticals Division (from October 2018 to October 2019), and previously held the role of Country Group Head of English East and the Horn of Africa for nearly three years.
Muchilwa’s leadership during the COVID-19 crisis earned her recognition, including the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) 2020 Leading Women Awards. She also co-chairs the Women Economic Empowerment and Financial Inclusion workstream commissioned by the World Economic Forum (WEF) Regional Action Group on Africa in 2020.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Muchilwa is married and a mother of two boys. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry – Zoology from Egerton University in Kenya and a Master’s in Business Administration (International Business Management) from the University of Nairobi (U.O.N.), Kenya.
Job: HEAD SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, NOVARTIS
Location: Kenya
Umi100 Honouree 2024