Julie McHugh

Biopharmaceutical Industry Executive (Retired), Active Professional Board Director
Board Member, Penn State Smeal College of Business Board of Visitors

Julie McHugh '86 is a 37-year veteran of the biopharmaceutical industry.  For the past ten years, she has served as a non-executive director on multiple health science company corporate boards.  In 2013, she retired from her operating career with her last role as Chief Operating Officer at Endo Health Solutions where she was responsible for the pharmaceutical and generic drug businesses.  Previously, Julie held executive positions including CEO of Nora Therapeutics, Company Group Chairman at Johnson & Johnson, and President of Centocor.  During her career, Julie led the development and commercialization of break-through products for the treatment of cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, autoimmune, and infectious diseases.

Julie has led organizations ranging from small start-ups to large, complex multinational companies.  Her leadership roles have included multi-billion-dollar businesses with several thousand employees as well as start-ups. Her background includes experience in general management, strategic planning, R&D, mergers and acquisitions, and organizational design.  As an operational leader, she has implemented numerous initiatives to improve effectiveness and efficiency.

Julie is currently chairman of the board for Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and is a non-executive director on the boards of Lantheus Medical Imaging, Evelo Biosciences and Xellia Pharmaceuticals. She is also a senior advisor to HealthCare Royalty Partners.