Mary C. Tanner
Mary Catherine Tanner | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1951 |
| Alma mater | Harvard University (B.A. in philosophy, magna cum laude, 1973) |
| Occupation | Investment banker |
| Known for | Senior Managing Director at EVOLUTION Life Science Partners; co-founder and chairperson of Life Science Partners LLP; first female partner at Lehman Brothers |
Mary Catherine Tanner is a seasoned investment banker with more than 25 years of experience on Wall Street, concentrating on sectors such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and health care services. Her professional scope also includes ethical pharmaceuticals and green technology. Proficient in both English and French, she specializes in international transactions, corporate collaborations, and minority stake investments.
By 2014, Tanner held the position of Senior Managing Director at EVOLUTION Life Science Partners (ELSP) and was the co-founder and chairperson of Life Science Partners LLP. Her previous senior roles include tenures at Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, and the Peter J. Solomon Company, where she became Lehman Brothers’ first female partner. Throughout her career, Tanner has overseen more than 130 IPOs within the life sciences industry, alongside managing over 500 mergers and acquisitions.
Early life and education
Mary Catherine Tanner was born to Donald N. Tanner, a civil engineer by profession, and Marilyn S. Tanner, an educator specializing in teaching children with learning disabilities. She earned her B.A. in philosophy from Harvard University in 1973, graduating magna cum laude.
Career
In 1978, Tanner joined a Lehman Brothers team led by Frederick Frank that was responsible for managing Humana’s acquisition of American Medicorp. Frank later invited her to join his group at Lehman Brothers. The two married on October 15, 1988. Tanner progressed to Senior Managing Director at Lehman Brothers while Frank served as vice chairman. They collaborated professionally for over ten years until Tanner took a hiatus to focus on family commitments.
By the year 2000, Tanner had become Senior Managing Director at Bear Stearns, retiring in 2004 to establish Life Sciences Partners. On March 18, 2009, she and Frank partnered with Peter J. Solomon of PJ SOLOMON to launch a pharmaceuticals and life sciences division; Tanner assumed the role of managing director while Frank became vice chairman.
On January 15, 2013, both joined Burrill & Company, where Tanner acted as Senior Managing Director for Burrill Securities and Burrill & Company. In 2014, Tanner and Frank co-founded EVOLUTION Life Science Partners (ELSP), with Tanner assuming responsibilities as Senior Managing Director and chair of Life Science Partners LLP.
Throughout her career, Tanner has provided strategic counsel to numerous corporate boards and led more than 130 IPOs along with over 500 mergers and acquisitions in the life sciences sector. Her significant transactions include advising Rhône-Poulenc on its $1.8 billion purchase of Rorer in 1990 and its £1.8 billion acquisition of Fisons in 1995. Alongside Frank, she orchestrated the merger between Marion Merrell Dow and Hoechst AG, resulting in the formation of Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc., in 1995. While at Bear Stearns, Tanner represented Pfizer during its $60 billion acquisition of Pharmacia (2002–2003) and advised Amgen on its $16 billion purchase of Immunex.
Philanthropy
As of October 1997, the Tanner Frank Foundation based in New York City received charitable status. Tanner has contributed her expertise to the Dean’s Council at the Yale School of Medicine as well as serving on the advisory board for the Yale School of Management (SOM). Together with Frank, she has donated generously to Yale University, supporting early career researchers focusing on autism at the Yale School of Medicine and establishing the Frank and Tanner Professor of Management chair at SOM—a position held by Olav Sorenson since April 2012.
Awards and honors
- In 2012, received the Oracle Award from Springboard Enterprises, acknowledging excellence in professional accomplishments and dedication to mentoring women entrepreneurs.