Meet Julie Kim, Takeda’s CEO-Elect
Meet Julie Kim
Takeda’s CEO-elect
Julie Kim brings more than three decades of global health care experience and a reputation for advancing innovation, expanding access to life-changing medicines and delivering meaningful impact for patients and communities. A member of Takeda’s Executive Team since 2019, she is known for leading with inclusion, humility and a growth mindset—bringing together diverse perspectives to solve complex challenges. As CEO‑Elect, Julie is building on Takeda’s strong foundation for Takeda’s next era of growth and acceleration.
A Track Record of Results Across Markets and Therapeutic Areas
In her most recent role leading Takeda’s U.S. Business Unit, which accounts for nearly 50% of the company’s revenue, she adeptly:
Previously, she rebuilt Takeda’s Plasma Derived Therapies Business Unit, driving consistent growth while modernizing and expanding the company’s global plasma network. Under her leadership, Takeda accelerated AI-enabled operations, increased plasma supply ahead of schedule and advanced its role as an industry leader in plasma-derived innovation.
Global Experience, Industry Leadership
Julie’s career has been shaped by extensive global experience, including leadership roles across the U.S., Europe and Asia. She has worked directly with teams in more than 40 markets and has overseen strategies across roughly 80 countries. She has had diverse roles including Global Franchise Head of Biotherapeutics for Baxter, General Manager for the U.K. and Ireland, and head of International Value Demonstration & Access at Shire—each deepening her understanding of diverse cultures, healthcare systems and market dynamics.
Her global fluency and collaborative leadership have made her a respected voice in industry forums. Recognizing the role and influence of the U.S. market and the policies that often impact global markets, Julie plays an active role as a member of the Board of Directors for Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). As Chair of PhRMA’s International Committee, she is helping to advance policies that protect medical innovation and strengthen patient access worldwide.
Decades of Proven Leadership
Commitment to Patients and Communities
Julie’s leadership is anchored in service—to patients, to communities and to the broader health care ecosystem. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, she co-founded the CoVIg‑19 Plasma Alliance, bringing together competitors, partners and regulators in a first-of‑its‑kind collaboration.
She has championed community-based health initiatives across the U.S., expanded Community Health Worker programs and partnered with organizations to address health disparities at the local level. In Massachusetts, Julie has played a meaningful role in strengthening the state’s life sciences ecosystem, advancing innovation and supporting the success of diverse early-stage entrepreneurs through the Massachusetts Next Generation (MassNextGen) program in collaboration with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. She has twice been appointed by the Massachusetts Governor to serve on Councils that help advance economic development and drive the state’s innovation ecosystem.
A Leader with Heart, Vision and Values
Julie’s leadership is shaped by her belief that people – patients, colleagues and communities – are at the center of every decision. Raised by physician parents who modeled service, integrity and compassion, she learned early the power of listening with intention and leading with humility.
Julie blends rigor with empathy, helping organizations stay steady in complexity while never losing sight of the real lives behind every medicine. She is known for elevating high-performing teams and building environments where people can grow, contribute and innovate. She sets high expectations and empowers others to meet them - balancing accountability, inclusivity and purpose – qualities that inspire trust and enable sustained, long-term success.
FAQs
Julie was recently proposed as a new candidate for Takeda's Board of Directors at the upcoming Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, on June 24, 2026. If elected, the Board plans to appoint Julie as representative director, president & CEO immediately following the meeting.
There are three core things that Julie is most looking forward to:
- Remaining grounded in our heritage and values that have defined us for nearly 245 years and will not change.
- Transforming for the growth opportunity ahead of us. Takeda is preparing to execute multiple upcoming launches that have the potential to change the standard of care in narcolepsy type 1, polycythemia vera and psoriasis, while advancing a robust late-stage pipeline and adapting advanced technology and AI to redesign how we work.
- Investing in the fantastic people who work for Takeda all over the world who embody our values and bring them to life by putting patients first, building trust, enhancing our reputation and growing our business sustainably.
Successfully launching three new products (oveporexton, rusfertide and zasocitinib) in the next 12 months and firmly establishing them as Takeda’s next generation of growth drivers.
- Continuing to advance the five additional late-stage assets, including the two exciting oncology programs, as well as the rest of Takeda’s pipeline.
Ensuring the resilience and competitiveness of core, in-line brands even as the company navigates challenging market dynamics.
Transforming the organization and processes to unlock new capabilities and efficiencies, while also freeing up resources to invest for growth.
Julie recently reflected on this topic on International Women’s Day on LinkedIn. Read her reflection here.
Julie will split her time between Boston and Tokyo
Julie was born in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the United States as a toddler. She was raised in Cleveland, Ohio.
Julie has a husband, two children, a dog and a cat.
Some of Julie’s hobbies include (in no particular order): cooking, reading, dancing, Pilates, boxing, hiking, learning languages, visiting new places, going to the spa and watching K-dramas.
- “You can’t look at the competition and say you’re going to do it better. You have to look at the competition and say you’re going to do it differently.” Steve Jobs
- “Fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- “Some men see things and ask why. Others dream things and ask why not.” George Bernard Shaw
