This encounter with Giovanni Caforio, CEO of BMS Bristol-Meyers Squibb, is the second of a series of events which focus on the excellence of Italian human capital and personal success stories, presenting Italian top managers holding important positions in global companies. He will be in conversation with Maria Teresa Cometto.
Giovanni Caforio became CEO of BMS Bristol-Meyers Squibb on May 5, 2015. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as chief operating officer with responsibility for leading a fully integrated worldwide commercial organization and the companywide functions of Enterprise Services and Global Manufacturing & Supply. In June 2014, Caforio was elected to the company’s Board of Directors. Prior to serving as chief operating officer, he served as the company’s chief commercial officer.
As a leader, Caforio’s focus is on developing talented managers with the diverse experiences and competencies needed for the continued success of the company.
He joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2000 as vice president and general manager, Italy, in the Worldwide Medicines Group. In 2001, he assumed added responsibility for Greece and Israel, and then all of South East Europe in 2003. In 2004, he was appointed senior vice president, European Marketing and Brand Commercialization. In 2007, he was named senior vice president, U.S. Oncology. In 2010, he was named senior vice president, Global Commercialization, Oncology and Immunology, before becoming president, U.S., in 2011. In 2013, he was named chief commercial officer. Prior to joining Bristol-Myers Squibb, Caforio spent 12 years with Abbott Laboratories in a number of leadership positions.
Born and educated in Italy, Caforio received his M.D. from the University of Rome. In addition to Italian and English, he is fluent in Spanish, French, and Portuguese. He currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and two children.
Maria Teresa Cometto is a journalist and award-winning author based in New York. Since 2000 she has been covering business and high-tech for Corriere della Sera, the leading Italian daily, and writing for other important magazines.
