Kelly McGrail Pokuta, PharmD

Objective

Strategic and accomplished C-suite healthcare executive with company start-up and product commercialization expertise in pharmaceutical industry, specialty pharmacy, Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM), Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO), health plans/managed care pursuing executive advisor and/or board of director roles focusing on healthcare business strategy, execution, and innovation for established and start-up organizations.

KEY Experiences

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF Strategy OFFICER, SYNERGIE MEDICATION COLLECTIVE LLC                            

2022 - Present

• Create and execute upon short- and long-term strategic plans, implement new supply chain GPO model across the organization to drive affordability and access, and responsible for supply chain revenue.

• As Chief Trade Relations Officer from 2022 to 2025, developed and executed company strategies for 7 departments at a start-up GPO. Oversee contracting, pharmaceutical manufacturer relations, operations, and client relations, and achieved > $1B in annual medical contract revenue.

• Responsible for the development and implementation plan for pharmacy rebates starting early 2026 and rebate revenue.

• Member of executive leadership team and Board of Directors key contributor.

Vice President Trade Relations and Strategy & Chief Trade Relations Officer, Prime Therapeutics LLC

2019 - 2022

• Managed 65 employees in pharmaceutical manufacturer relations, client activities, contracting, rebate strategy, invoicing, and Trade's technology initiatives.

• Created and managed the MedDrive medical program for Blues plans and rebate aggregator clients that generated medical rebate revenue annually.

• Created, implemented, and managed GPO partnership with Ascent/Express Scripts for pharmacy rebates and responsible for $10B in annual pharmacy rebate.

• Member of Senior Leadership Team and Executive Leadership Team participant.

Board Member (Voting), Ascent Health Services, affiliated WITH Cigna/Express ScriPTs                                     

 2019 - 2022

• Represented Prime Therapeutic’s minority ownership interest in Ascent Health Services GPO

• Consulted on GPO growth opportunities and strategic direction and profitability

Principal, Specialty Strategy Solutions

2017 - 2024

• Owner/operator of a health care consulting company

• Past clients include pharmaceutical manufacturers, specialty pharmacy providers, and payors/PBMs

Senior Vice President, Industry Relations, Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.

2017 - 2019

• Led team managing pharmaceutical contracts for specialty therapies, PBM network contracting, corporate contract management, data analytics, specialty strategy, and business development.

• Created new strategic partnerships with external stakeholders and redefined specialty care delivery and management for patients, payors, prescribers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

• Responsible for > $125M in annual EBITDA contribution and improved margin opportunities for specialty pharmacy payer and manufacturer contracts.

• Member of Executive Leadership Team.

Vice President, Specialty and Industry Relations, OptumRX/United Health Group

2011 - 2017

• Led a team that manages all aspects of pharmaceutical manufacturer contracting for specialty therapies including rebates, fee-for-service arrangements, discounts, rebates, and other contracting opportunities.

• Created value propositions for specialty formulary management, specialty plan design, and proactive client consultation.

• Managed >$150M in EBITDA annually and improved margin opportunities for specialty contracts.

• As a specialty health care subject-matter expert internally and externally, provided strategic vision and expertise on the current and future trends in specialty care.

• Led data monetization with aggregators, value-based outcomes, specialty product distribution, and clinical outcomes collaboration.

Specialty Oncology Pharmacy Program Manager, CVS Health

2009 - 2011

• Developed, executed, and project managed oncology programs

• Analyzed drug pipelines and forecast market impact and share

• Created and implemented programs to improve patient adherence to oncology therapies

• Developed and maintained pharmaceutical manufacturer relationships

• Consulted with payors on formulary management initiatives 

Senior Product Manager, New Product Planning and Marketing, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America

2004 - 2009

• Led global brand and professional strategies for Preclinical through Phase 3 drugs including brand strategy, key opinion leader development, advisory board management, clinical program development, and market research projects to support product commercialization

• Primary point person for Research and Development planning to support global product commercialization including Phase 3 trial design and life cycle management studies

• Aligned strategies and commercial activities with Medical Affairs, Research and Development, Managed Markets, Business Analytics, and Sales to support successful product commercialization and pull through 

• Managed medical education and grant activities for Oncology, Diabetes, Gastrointestinal Disease, and Cardiovascular franchises

• Managed Medical Information services for Gastrointestinal Disease, Gout, and Oncology franchises

Strengths Finder
Top 5 Strengths

1. Strategic

2. Ideation

3. Individualization

4. Futuristic

5. Relator

Interests & Hobbies

Avid golfer
Spin enthusiast
Wine connoisseur
Culinary artist
Entrepreneur