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Petra Meyer

Managing Director at Golden Seeds

New York, New York

Overview 

Petra Meyer is a seasoned executive with a strong track record in leading P&L, serving as a Chief Marketing Officer for major companies like Merck KGaA and currently holding the role of General Manager at Walgreens Boots Alliance. She has successfully driven business growth and brand development in the Life Science, HealthTech, and Consumer Health & Wellness sectors throughout her career. With a background that includes C-suite and board advisory roles, Petra has excelled in strategic business planning and cross-functional team leadership, contributing significantly to the success of companies like Merck KGaA and Unilever. Currently, she leverages her expertise at Walgreens Boots Alliance, overseeing operations in Europe and demonstrating a keen focus on business strategy and P&L accountability.

Work Experience 

  • Managing Director & Co-Chair, Life Science Committee, Board & Executive Advisor

    2019 - Current

    Golden Seeds: 180+ million AUM angel network with current investments in 82 early-stage, women-led companies. Identify, mentor, and evaluate life science companies affiliated with Columbia and Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, NYU Biolabs, JLABS (Johnson & Johnson), and other sources of investment opportunities. Advise portfolio company boards, founders, and executives. • Led 6 deals (due diligence, deal memos, presentations, advisory) in over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, medical devices, CBD therapeutics, women’s health, and marketing technology. • Advised medical device portfolio company through IPO that delivered 4.4X, 28-month return to Golden Seeds investors. • Built New York Metro Area life science ecosystem, including extensive network of investors and multi-disciplinary start-up experts.

Golden Seeds is a seed-stage investment firm that focuses on women entrepreneurs.

  • Co-Founder, Board & Executive Advisor

    2018

    Inspired Solutions: Strategy consultancy focused on go-to-market and geographic expansion for health & wellness clients ranging from start-ups to global enterprises. Work closely with client company executive teams and boards to develop and execute capital formation, plus revenue & EBITDA growth strategies. Representative engagements include: • Launched French wellness brand in the US. Included creating and executing go-to-market plan and establishing operations. Successful geographic expansion provided further product proof-of-concept and revenue growth, which enabled $2.7 million Series A round. • Collaborated with socio-economic trend & innovation agency to turn around EU personal care brand with 9 quarters of declining sales. Conducted qualitative & quantitative research that drove rebranding and new product development. Restored growth; beat client goals. • Developed German go-to-market strategy and roadmap for UK dietary supplement manufacturer. Identified and analyzed competitors, omni-channel distribution opportunities, marketing strategies, and costs. Delivered plan that met client’s EBITDA growth goals. • Worked with several early-stage US clients on comprehensive and specific strategies for market identification, capital formation, product/market fit, IP protection, and scalability.

  • Regional Managing Director (General Manager), Europe, Alphega Pharmacy Group

    2013 - 2018

    WBA: $139 billion, US-headquartered retail pharmacy and health, wellness & beauty company with 12,500 locations across the US, Europe, and Latin America (NSDQ: WBA). Owned $3.1 billion P&L for wholesale distribution channel/brand that served 6,800 independent retail pharmacies in 9 European countries (US General Manager equivalent). Managed 2 direct reports and 9-person Country Lead matrix organization. Presented to Board of Directors. Reported to Managing Director, International Wholesale Pharmacy Division. • Delivered 4%, 4-year compound annual revenue growth rate in mature channel. Met/beat annual financial and member quality goals. • Managed 2015 integration of 1,100-pharmacy German marketing cooperative; beat retention targets; grew to 1,750 German members in 3 years. • Developed and executed ancillary product & services-based strategy and offered new tools (category management, promotions, organization development) that enabled member pharmacies to grow earnings because of membership in the Alphega Pharmacy Group. • Created data-driven Close to You brand advertising campaign and consumer closeness training program. Negotiated high-6-figure sponsorship with global FMCG company in exchange for new distribution agreement with Alphega and member pharmacies. • Worked closely with country organizations, including pharmacist boards, WBA sales teams, and other WBA entities.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is a global healthcare company that operates retail pharmacies, provides and sells health and beauty products.

Raised $2,600,000,000.00.

  • Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Consumer Healthcare Division

    2006 - 2013

    Merck: €22 billion, global healthcare, life science, and electronics company (FWB: MRK). CMO of new, high-9-figure division. Built 22-person, 14-nationality, global team. Worked closely with C-level colleagues. Executive Board member. Reported to Division President. • Played critical role in delivering 5%, 6-year compound annual revenue growth rate across operations in 60 countries. Met financial targets each year. • Created and executed growth strategy focused on highest-potential brands. Relaunched brands. Developed new products (OTC meds, dietary supplements); produced 30%+ of revenue from 2009 forward. Entered China and India. • Recruited and developed high-performing team. Provided talent bench for other divisions.

  • Progressively Responsible Marketing Roles, Boots Healthcare International

    1994 - 2006

    BHI: OTC medicines division of £5 billion Boots Group, a UK-headquartered health & beauty retailer and pharmacy chain (now Walgreens Boots Alliance). Acquired by Reckitt Benckiser in Q4/05.

  • Progressively Responsible Marketing Roles

    1988 - 1994

    Unilever: €60 billion, global consumer packaged goods company (LSE: ULVR).

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