Mary Jane Helenek ’82P, ’84GP, ’87MBA, a member of St. John’s University’s Board of Governors, is a highly accomplished, entrepreneurial pharmaceutical executive with a 30+ year successful track record of developing and launching pharmaceutical products, driving expansion and leading highly profitable turnarounds through execution, discipline, and strong people management skills.
She is a visionary operations leader with solid experience managing all levels of the business, including administration, budgeting, commercial, manufacturing, research and development, and quality. Ms. Helenek quickly identifies opportunities and risks in business plans and budgets to repeatedly drive success. She has outstanding relationship-building skills, strong communication abilities, and exceptional emotional intelligence that excels in matrix and hierarchical structures.
Currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Provepharm, Inc., the US organization of Provepharm Life Solutions, based in Marseille, France, Ms. Helenek is responsible for all aspects of the US operations, including clinical development, finance, and commercial operations. She attracts superior talent and develops high-performing teams, and is a forward-thinking COO who lays the foundation for long-term success.
Prior to joining Provepharm, Ms. Helenek was the President and Chief Executive Officer of American Regent, Inc. (formerly Luitpold Pharmaceuticals Inc.), a group company of Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., where she grew annual revenue from less than $10 million to nearly one billion dollars. She delivered nearly $7.5 billion in revenue and over three billion dollars in profits during her tenure as CEO.
Prior to joining Luitpold, Ms. Helenek was a Clinical Pharmacist at Syosset Hospital, now part of Northwell Health (formerly North Shore LIJ hospital network), and worked as a pharmacist in various settings throughout Long Island. She is a member of numerous professional organizations, and is involved in many charitable and service endeavors. She is also an inventor holding several US and international patents.
Ms. Helenek earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, cum laude; her master’s degree in institutional pharmacy administration; and a master of business administration degree from St. John’s University, and a master’s degree in legal studies from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.