Dr. Vicki Sato

Dr. Vicki Sato is an accomplished executive and scientist with an extensive background advising and leading companies in life science innovation. She was the President of Vertex Pharmaceuticals from 2 until her retirement from that position in 25 and had previously served eight years as Vertex’s Chief Scientific Officer and Chair of the scientific advisory board. Prior to joining Vertex in 1992, she was with Biogen, Inc. from 1984 to 1992, most recently as Vice President of Research and a member of the scientific advisory board. Vicki is also a business advisor to enterprises in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

She serves as director for publicly held companies Akouos Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb Corporation, Syros Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and BorgWarner, Inc., and as the chair of Denali Therapeutics and Vir Biotechnology. She was formerly on the board of directors at PerkinElmer Corporation, where she had served for sixteen years. Vicki chairs the Advisory Council of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. She is also an overseer of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.

Vicki is the author of numerous professional publications and received her AB, AM, and PhD degrees from Harvard University. Vicki served as Professor of Management Practice of Harvard Business School from 26 until her retirement in 217. She is the Founding Faculty Chair of the Blavatnik Fellowship in Life Science Entrepreneurship program at HBS.