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Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall

Life Sciences Leader, Former EVP, Chief Medical Officer, & Chief Patient Officer at Pfizer, Inc.

Widely regarded for reshaping Pfizer’s culture and decision-making to focus on patient engagement and inclusion
Appointed to the Board of Governors of the Patient-Centered Outreach Research Institute by the Obama Administration
Recognized by audiences for her appearances on Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and more
Shares stories from her inspiring four-decade career journey to motivate audiences to overcome obstacles, determine their own destinies, and become effective leaders

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Freda Lewis-Hall, MD, DFAPA, MFPM is a trailblazer in medicine and leadership, with over 40 years of experience as a clinician, researcher, and executive in the biopharmaceutical and life sciences industries. A gifted storyteller, she inspires audiences with her journey from being the first in her family to attend college to becoming a respected physician and executive. Her message of perseverance and self-determination resonates across audiences and industries.

Dr. Lewis-Hall is best known for her tenure at Pfizer, Inc., where she served over a decade on the executive leadership team as executive vice president, chief medical officer, and later chief patient officer. She led initiatives to ensure the safe, effective use of medicines and was instrumental in embedding patient engagement and innovation into the company’s culture and strategy. She is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau.

Before Pfizer, she held leadership roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmacia Corporation, and Eli Lilly and Company. Trained as a psychiatrist, she began her career in frontline care and academia, including roles at Howard University and the National Institute of Mental Health, with a strong focus on mental health disparities and community wellness.

A champion of health equity, Dr. Lewis-Hall serves on numerous influential boards, including the Foundation for the NIH. A frequent health expert on national media like Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and PBS, she has received numerous accolades, including “Woman of the Year” by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association and recognition by Black Enterprise as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Corporate America.”

Speaker Video

Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall interviews Dr. Anthony S. Fauci

Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall: Equanimity Under Duress

Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall: 2013 Commencement Address at Keck Graduate Institute

Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall: TEDMED 2011

Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall: B. Smith Shares Her Struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease

Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall Visits KISS’s Gene Simmons to Talk Atrial Fibrillation

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The Calm Within the Storm: Leading Through Change With Grace and Grit. Navigating change successfully is the ability that distinguishes true leaders as they make decisions that impact people’s lives. Through a personal, relatable anecdote about nearly stepping away from medical school after the sudden loss of her mother, Dr. Lewis-Hall illustrates how a pivotal mentor helped her uncover the equanimity and inner strength she didn't realize she possessed. Her story reveals how calm, focus, resilience, and peace—qualities of equanimity—can be accessed even under immense pressure. In this compelling keynote, audiences be inspired to become change-agile leaders who both gracefully withstand upheaval and guide others through it, advancing both impact and profitability along the way.

From Vision to Victory: Leading with Authenticity, Agility, and Purpose. Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall shares her extraordinary rise from a challenging upbringing to the highest levels of healthcare leadership, offering audiences a compelling roadmap for becoming an authentic, adaptive leader. She redefines authenticity, teaching audiences the ability to lead with a full range of skills and styles that meet the moment without compromising your core values. Through humor, candor, and practical guidance, she explores how leaders can thoughtfully deploy their authentic selves to build trust, navigate uncertainty, and uplift workplace culture. Audiences will leave with renewed confidence, a deeper understanding of leadership adaptability.

Healthcare Trends and Transformation. Dr. Lewis-Hall, a leader in healthcare and life sciences, shares key insights on industry trends and innovations. She discusses how to harness cutting-edge medical technology to improve healthcare equity and outcomes. Despite medical advancements, systemic inefficiencies still hinder progress. She also tackles public health challenges, women’s health issues, and common healthcare myths. This talk provides a clear vision of where healthcare is headed and how to drive meaningful change.

Charting Your Career Legacy: Building Toward the Role You’re Meant to Lead. In this actionable and insight-rich talk, Freda explores how to think beyond your next job and instead reverse-engineer your career from the legacy you want to leave. She shares clear strategies to identify the skills, experiences, and behaviors that align with your future goals, and how to map the learning journey required to get there. Attendees will learn how to construct a personal “board of influencers”—mentors, coaches, sponsors, and role models—who reflect their aspirations, and how to engage them through research, outreach, and meaningful conversation. This session delivers step-by-step guidance on career mapping that’s grounded in intentionality and personal agency. You’ll leave with specific assignments and frameworks to accelerate your growth and own your path forward.