Rick Winneker specializes in drug discovery and development, and life science research and organizational strategic planning. During his 30-year scientific career, Rick has worked in all phases of research and development including building several pharmaceutical research organizations. Most notable is his work shaping and leading several pharmaceutical research departments in endocrinology and women’s health that resulted in 14 compounds being delivered to the development pipeline along with four registered products.

Rick has held several pivotal roles in his career, most recently as Senior Vice President, reporting to the Chief Mission Officer at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). While at LLS he built and led a research group focused on improving the standard of care and accelerating cures for patients with blood cancers. He transformed the way research was conducted adding more therapy related strategic partnerships and further engaged the academic and pharma / biotech community. He expanded and strengthened the research staff and portfolio; led the strategic planning of future innovations in research programs and increased awareness of LLS programs and accomplishments.

Prior to LLS, Rick worked for nearly 15 years at Wyeth Research, spearheading a drug discovery group focused on contraception, menopausal symptoms and reproductive disorders in women. Rick first joined Wyeth as Director of the Women’s Health Research Group, he was later promoted to Senior Director of Women’s Health & Bone and then to Assistant Vice President, Women’s Health & Musculoskeletal Biology. Before joining Wyeth Research, Rick worked for Sterling Winthrop Pharmaceuticals Research Group for over 12 years where he started his career as a Senior Research Biologist in the Department of Endocrinology.