Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, May 2026 – Eli Lilly and Company has appointed Jean Santana as Senior Director – Global People Strategy, Manufacturing & Quality, further strengthening its leadership team as the organization continues to expand its global manufacturing and quality operations.
In her new role, Jean will lead people strategy initiatives supporting manufacturing and quality functions globally, aligning workforce, leadership, and organizational priorities with Lilly’s continued growth and innovation agenda.
Jean Santana has built an impressive HR leadership career at Eli Lilly and Company over the past eight years, progressing through multiple strategic leadership roles across talent acquisition, HR business partnering, DEI strategy, and enterprise people transformation. Prior to her latest appointment, she served as Senior Director – HR Business Partner, Manufacturing & Quality, where she supported critical operational and workforce initiatives across Lilly’s manufacturing and quality ecosystem.
Earlier, Jean led enterprise inclusion initiatives as Senior Director – DEI & Enterprise Latinx Equity Strategy, driving diversity, equity, and inclusion programs while helping shape enterprise-wide people strategies focused on representation, leadership development, and organizational culture.
She also served in several HR business partnering roles supporting commercial, research, development, and global business operations at Lilly, including positions as Associate Director – HR Business Partner, Global Commercial, Research & Development, and Senior Associate – HR Business Partner, US Commercial. Her journey within the company began in talent acquisition, where she worked as Talent Acquisition Recruiter – Global Recruitment & Staffing, helping strengthen Lilly’s global hiring capabilities.
Before joining Lilly, Jean held human resources and recruitment roles with Hudson’s Bay Company, MacKay Shields LLC, and Maxim Healthcare Services, where she developed expertise across talent acquisition, employee relations, and HR operations.
Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and delivering innovative medicines that improve lives worldwide. Founded nearly 150 years ago by Colonel Eli Lilly, the company continues to advance science across biotechnology, chemistry, and genetic medicine to address some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges.
With a strong focus on innovation, manufacturing excellence, and patient-centered healthcare solutions, Lilly operates globally and continues to invest significantly in research, technology, and workforce capabilities to drive long-term growth and scientific advancement.
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