Karen Licitra is Worldwide Chairman, Global Medical Solutions Group within Johnson & Johnson’s Medical Device and Diagnostics segment. She is responsible for setting the strategy and vision for a portfolio of healthcare companies including the Vision Care, Diabetes Care and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (OCD) franchises, as well as Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP) and the Sedation business unit. Karen also leads the MD&D center of excellence for regulatory affairs. Prior to her current role, she was Company Group Chairman for Johnson & Johnson and Worldwide Franchise Chairman for Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., and Johnson & Johnson Medical, Canada.

Karen is known for creating innovative new growth platforms and has a wealth of domestic and global industry experience acquired during 28 years in sales, marketing, commercial and general management. She began her Johnson & Johnson career in 1984 as a sales representative with Ethicon, Inc. She advanced through positions of increasing responsibility in sales and marketing and in 1996 she was promoted to Vice President, Product Management. With the acquisition of the Biopsys Medical business in 1997, Karen was named Vice President, Breast Care Management where she led the successful integration of that business. She became Vice President and General Manager, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., in September 2000, was promoted to President in December 2000, and named Company Group Chairman in 2002.

Karen serves on the Board of Directors of the Advanced Medical Technology Association Advamed), a trade association focused on the medical technology industry, and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the St. Peter's Healthcare System. She is also the Board Chair for the Campaign to End Obesity, a cause committed to advancing national policy and platforms to combat obesity.

A native of New Jersey, Karen earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Rider College (now Rider University).

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