2025 HBA Woman of the Year - Reshema Kemps-Polanco

Reshema Kemps-Polanco, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Novartis U.S., is celebrated as Woman of the Year for her transformative leadership in commercializing innovative medicines and championing equitable access to treatments for some of the world’s most serious diseases. Her unwavering dedication to nurturing future industry leaders is evident through her active sponsorship, mentorship and creation of pathways for women to ascend to executive roles across the life sciences industry. Reshema’s impact-driven leadership inspires teams to demonstrate uncommon courage and redefine what is possible, helping more patients live longer and healthier lives.  

With over 25 years in the industry, spanning two top 10 global pharmaceutical companies, Reshema leads Novartis’ end-to-end commercial expansion of medicines across oncology, immunology, neurology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases. She is driving a transformational growth strategy to help Novartis maintain its leading position in the world's largest healthcare market. Prior to rejoining Novartis in 2021, Reshema spent seven years at Johnson & Johnson where she held multiple leadership positions, most recently serving concurrently as President, Cardiovascular & Metabolism and President, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Puerto Rico. Reshema began her career at Novartis, where she spent 15 years in roles of increasing responsibility.