Many pharma leaders start as sales reps. Mallik, 35, did it the other way around—he entered Novartis as a Basel-based VP after
a five-year stint at McKinsey. So when it was time to move to the US, he spent six months carrying the bag. "Novartis does
a great job of talent development. That's one reason I came here—to broaden my operational skills so that I can move into
a larger GM role."