Phyllis Ferrell, Turpin 1990
Phyllis Ferrell is an innovator, investor, and incubator for longevity. She is passionate about brain health, and committed to creating a world that allows our global aging population and economies to thrive. After three decades as a life sciences executive at Eli Lilly & Company, Phyllis retired from the pharmaceutical business and is now working with for-profit and non-profit investors to transform health systems around the world. She loves tackling tough problems with great people and leads cross-functional teams with care and candor.
At Lilly Phyllis held many leadership roles throughout the organization including in medical affairs, medical development, commercial capabilities, sales, marketing, recruiting, business development, strategy, transformation, and Six Sigma. In 2011, Phyllis took on the leadership role for the late-stage Alzheimer’s therapeutic and diagnosis assets in Lilly’s pipeline. Since that moment she has been a relentless advocate for the patients living with the disease and those that love them.
In 2020, Phyllis was placed as an executive-on-loan to the World Economic Forum-commissioned Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC), where she has served as the visionary and leader of the Healthcare System Preparedness program. DAC is a global multi-stakeholder partnership of organizations aimed at mobilizing the world against Alzheimer’s disease, with the specific focus of ensuring that health systems are prepared to embrace innovation and better care for our global aging population.
Phyllis has a BA in Economics from DePauw University and an MBA from Stanford University. Phyllis is a current member of the World Dementia Council, an advisory committee member of the Milken Institute Center for Future of Aging and the USC Clinical Trial Recruiting Laboratory, and will remain an advisor for the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, Phyllis is also on the Boards of Directors for the DePauw School of Business and Leadership, the Stanford Business School Fund, Gates Ventures Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative, the Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Indianapolis 500 Festival. Phyllis is a founding member of Women Against Alzheimer’s and Women of Impact Boone County; co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Council and the alumna sponsor of the Women in Economics and Business Program at DePauw University. Phyllis is passionate about Alzheimer’s advocacy and brain health so that other boys don’t have to grow up without their grandfathers’ presence as her sons did.
