Jeff Berkowitz
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Boasting an illustrious career that encompasses key roles within global healthcare, Jeff Berkowitz is recognized for his exemplary leadership in the industry. His experience encompasses an array of top-tier executive positions including Executive Vice President at UnitedHealth Group, Walgreens Boots, and Senior Vice President at Merck.
Most recently, Jeff led Optum’s International division as CEO at UnitedHealth Group/Optum, while also driving significant strategic initiatives within Optum’s pharmacy benefits management division. His prior position at Walgreens Boots Alliance saw him taking the helm as President of Pharma and Global Market Access, managing both generic and branded procurement, inventory, relations with pharmaceutical companies, and the company’s pricing and reimbursement strategies across all payors and segments. He also handled the specialty pharmacy business, supervising over $10 billion in revenue and a workforce of 5,800 employees.
Before his tenure at Walgreens, Jeff excelled as SVP of global market access at Merck & Co., where he was responsible for worldwide access, pricing, payer marketing, health outcomes, and health technology assessments. Earlier in his career, he held a similar role at Schering-Plough, starting as legal director for the company’s managed care and commercial group in 1998. Prior to this, he was a prominent healthcare attorney at the international law firm Proskauer LLP in New York and Washington, D.C.
Jeff graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Union College, New York, and earned his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School, New York. His remarkable contributions to the field have been recognized by PharmaVoice magazine on three separate occasions, where he was named among the 100 Most Inspiring Leaders in the Life Sciences in 2009, 2010, and 2012. Jeff was also bestowed with PharmaVoice’s inaugural Red Jacket recognition.
In addition to his professional roles, Jeff holds positions on the board of directors of H. Lundbeck A/S, Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., and Zealand Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He further contributes his industry expertise as an Editorial Advisor to Life Science Leader and Pharmaceutical Commerce magazines and has served on the Board of Directors of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce. Jeff’s exceptional career trajectory demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing healthcare and maintaining strong leadership across the sector.
Mr. Berkowitz earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School in Brooklyn, N.Y. He has been recognized three times in PharmaVoice magazine as one of the 100 Most Inspiring Leaders in the Life Sciences in 2009, 2010 and 2012 and is the recipient of PharmaVoice’s inaugural Red Jacket recognition