Reshema Kemps-Polanco

Reshema Kemps-Polanco is the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Novartis US, a position she has held since September 2023.1 She is responsible for the commercialization of innovative cancer medicines, including complex platforms such as cell and gene therapy, and radiopharmaceuticals.13

With over 25 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, Kemps-Polanco has a strong track record in leadership roles.4 Prior to her current position, she served as Executive Vice President and US Head of Novartis Oncology from July 2021 to September 2023.1 Before rejoining Novartis in 2021, she spent seven years at Johnson & Johnson, where she held various executive positions, including President of Janssen's Cardiovascular & Metabolism Unit in the US and President of Janssen Pharmaceuticals in Puerto Rico.12

Kemps-Polanco is committed to improving healthcare outcomes, decreasing healthcare inequities, and creating equal access to medicines for all patients.23 She is inspired by reimagining cancer care through therapies that improve survival and survivorship.3

Her educational background includes an MBA from Rutgers Business School, a Master's Degree in Industrial/Organizational Behavior from Louisiana Tech University, and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.2 Kemps-Polanco also proudly served in the United States Army Reserve as part of the Signal Corps from 1991 to 1999.1