Sheri McCoy
Sherilyn S. McCoy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Scientist, corporate executive |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Known for | Former CEO of Avon Products; ex-vice chairman at Johnson & Johnson |
Sherilyn S. McCoy (born 1959) is an American scientist and corporate leader, recognized for her roles as former CEO of Avon Products and ex-vice chairman at Johnson & Johnson. At Johnson & Johnson, she managed the pharmaceutical and consumer sectors and was elevated to vice chairman in January 2011. McCoy consistently featured on Fortune Magazine’s "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" list starting in 2008, achieving a peak position of 10th in 2011. After dedicating three decades to Johnson & Johnson, she stepped down in February 2012 to lead Avon Products as CEO. In August 2012, Forbes Magazine ranked her as the 39th most influential woman worldwide.
Early life and education
Born in 1959 in Quincy, Massachusetts, Sherilyn S. "Sheri" McCoy completed a Bachelor of Science degree in textile chemistry at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. She then earned a master's degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University in 1982, followed by an MBA from Rutgers University in 1988. McCoy is also credited with holding five patents registered across the United States and Europe.
Johnson & Johnson
McCoy began her career at Johnson & Johnson in 1982 as a chemical engineer working on research and development for women's health products. She progressed through leadership positions, ultimately heading the R&D division before becoming global president of the unit responsible for infant care and wound management products. In 2005, she was named chairman of the Ethicon Endo-Surgery device division, where she managed operations in Latin America and contributed as a member of the Operating Committee within the Medical Device and Diagnostics Group.
Surgical Care and Pharmaceuticals Group
In 2008, McCoy was appointed chair of the Surgical Care Group and joined Johnson & Johnson's Executive Committee, marking her as one of the top-ranking female executives in pharmaceuticals. Effective January 1, 2009, she assumed the role of Worldwide Chairman for the Pharmaceuticals Group, overseeing areas such as new product innovation, supply chain management, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and patent litigation challenges. She earned promotion to Vice Chairman in 2010.
Avon CEO
After three decades at Johnson & Johnson, McCoy resigned in February 2012 following Alex Gorsky’s appointment as CEO succeeding William C. Weldon. In March 2012, Coty, Inc. submitted an unsolicited $10 billion proposal to acquire Avon Products; however, shareholders declined the offer, convinced that under fresh leadership Avon had greater growth prospects. On April 9, 2012, McCoy was named CEO of Avon with her tenure commencing on April 23.
In August 2017, McCoy was dismissed without cause from her position as Avon CEO amid ongoing sales challenges. Negotiations regarding her departure had been underway since June that year.
Board memberships
Throughout her time at Johnson & Johnson, McCoy served on several boards including PhRMA, the National Quality Forum, and the Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Value & Science-Driven Health Care.
Following her appointment as Avon’s CEO, she joined the board of FIRST, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging students toward STEM careers. Additionally, she holds positions on Rutgers University’s President's Business Leaders Cabinet and Stonehill College’s board.
In October 2017, McCoy was named a non-executive director at AstraZeneca.
Honors and awards
- 2008: Ranked #44 among "50 Most Influential Women in Business" – Fortune Magazine
- 2009: Positioned at #14 on "50 Most Influential Women in Business" – Fortune Magazine
- 2010: Achieved #12 on the list of "50 Most Influential Women in Business" – Fortune Magazine
- 2011: Secured #10 ranking in "50 Most Influential Women in Business" – Fortune Magazine
- 2012: Named "Most Powerful Mom of 2012" by Working Mother magazine
- 2012: Listed as #15 among "World's Most Influential Women in Business" – Forbes Magazine
- 2012: Included at #39 on "World's Most Influential Women of 2012" – Forbes Magazine
Patents
- Sanitary napkin featuring panty gathering flaps
- US4900320: Application date June 16, 1986; Patent granted February 13, 1990
- EP0249924: Application date June 15, 1987; Patent granted March 4, 1992
- Sanitary napkin design patents
- USD327319: Application date February 9, 1990; Patent granted June 23, 1992
- USD346213: Application date November 10, 1992; Patent granted April 19, 1994
- USD352554: Application date November 16, 1992; Patent granted November 15, 1994
- Sanitary napkin with elevated center and raised edges
- US5599337: Application date May 2, 1994; Patent granted February 4, 1997
- EP0685212: Application date February 28, 1995; Patent granted December 4, 2002