Karen Madden

Karen Madden is Chief Technology Officer for the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany (and/or its affiliates). In this role, she is shaping the Technology Roadmap and long-term R&D strategy, systematically exploring emerging opportunities that lead to breakthrough innovations. She is also responsible for leading the Life Science Innovation board with a focus on ensuring a balance of long-term, high-impact programs with short-term, critical growth projects by using a rigorous portfolio management process and technology Key Performance Indicators. Karen represents Life Science in the global scientific community by building and managing relationships with key universities, start-up companies and industry organizations, as well as our customers. Karen also serves as the U.S. Country Speaker, representing the Group's strategic needs in the key market while driving collaboration and unity among U.S. based employees.

Before joining the company, Madden served as Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at PerkinElmer. She was responsible for driving innovation across all the company's businesses and end markets. Since 2014, she has been part of Perkin Elmer's senior leadership team and was a key contributor to helping transform the business into a significant life sciences and diagnostics enterprise.