Liezl Kitchin
Evanston,IL
Summary
Strategic leader with over 20 years in pharmaceutical sales and marketing across diverse therapeutic areas, including psychiatry, neurology, urology, oncology, dermatology, and rheumatology. Led successful product launches, including RINVOQ, HUMIRA Citrate-Free, and SKYRIZI, while supporting in-field dermatology teams through various stages of the product life cycle.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director, Strategic Lead, Rheumatoid Arthritis
IMCO
Chicago, IL
05.2025 - Current
- Lead cross-functional team to develop the 1-7-5 Strategic Brand Plan for RINVOQ RA, GCA & New Indications
- Facilitated cross-functional team in developing Functional Plan for RINVOQ RA, GCA & new indications
- Monitored alignment of Brand Plans across affiliates with International Plan
- Monitor & ensure that the Brand Plan of various affiliates is well aligned with the International Plan
- Ensured Strategic & Functional Plans aligned with CeX Brand Plan guidance and regulatory & compliance standards
Business Unit Manager (Dermatology)
AbbVie Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney
10.2024 - 05.2025
- Leadership and direction for day-to-day operations of the AbbVie Australia Dermatology product portfolio
- Formulated, coordinated, and realized commercial objectives and strategic marketing and sales activities to align with business plan and achieve market positioning, sales growth, and market share targets
- Developed team members to enhance succession planning and talent management, ensuring business continuity and fostering employee satisfaction and motivation
Business Unit Manager (Urology/Paediatric Endocrinology/Sevorane)
AbbVie Australia Pty Ltd
05.2024 - 10.2024
- Developed and implemented strategies and competitive tactics tailored to the Australian market, enhancing brand awareness and usage
- Led annual marketing plans, ensuring successful implementation to grow long-term sales, profit, and market share aligned with the Corporate Business Plan
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance product launch strategies and market penetration.
- Developed and implemented operational workflows to optimize efficiency and reduce costs.
- Directed performance management initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement among staff.
National Sales Manager (Psoriasis)
AbbVie Australia Pty Ltd
11.2020 - 05.2024
- Provide the national Dermatology in-field team with the leadership, direction & resources to ensure sales targets are met/exceeded & to liaise with the marketing team to ensure short & long-term sales strategies are seamlessly implemented by the team
- Managed, supported & coached a team of 7 sales representatives to enhance their effectiveness and achieve sales objectives
- Implement & coach the sales team in the understanding & adoption of the ‘Challenger’ Sales Model
Senior Brand Manager: SKYRIZI (Risankizumab) & HUMIRA (HS)
AbbVie Australia Pty Ltd
03.2018 - 11.2020
- Executed dermatology strategies for psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa, developing and deploying tactical plans to enhance patient outcomes
- Conducted patient and HCP market research for new psoriasis molecule, supporting build and deployment of Product Familiarisation Program
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and execute brand strategies aligned with market trends.
- Analyzed market data to identify growth opportunities and inform strategic brand positioning initiatives.
- Mentored junior brand managers, fostering professional development and enhancing team performance.
Brand Manager: Urology Oncology/Pediatric Endocrinology
AbbVie Australia Pty Ltd
11.2015 - 03.2018
- Brand Manager responsible for the development of marketing objectives, strategies and ensuring their execution with clear and deliverable ROI
- Developed and implemented key marketing programs and promotional material for successful in-field execution.
- Developed and executed brand strategies to enhance market presence and drive product awareness.
- Led cross-functional teams to launch innovative marketing campaigns aligned with business objectives.
- Analyzed market trends and consumer insights to inform strategic brand positioning and messaging.
Senior Product Manager: CNS
Lundbeck Australia Pty Ltd
06.2014 - 11.2015
- Provided strong strategic leadership within the CNS disease area at Lundbeck Australia.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and launch innovative pharmaceutical products.
- Drove product strategy alignment with market trends and customer insights.
- Oversaw lifecycle management, optimizing product performance and market positioning.
Group Product Manager CNS
Lundbeck South Africa Pty Ltd
01.2009 - 05.2014
- Formulated marketing objectives and strategies for mature antipsychotics and Parkinson’s drug.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and launch innovative pharmaceutical products.
- Drove product strategy through comprehensive market analysis and customer insights.
- Collaborated with marketing to create effective go-to-market strategies for new product launches.
Medical Sales Representative – CNS
Lundbeck South Africa Pty Ltd
06.2002 - 12.2008
- Promoted psychiatric and neurological products to GP's, psychiatrists, and neurologists in public and private settings, enhancing product awareness and facilitating informed prescribing decisions
- Developed and maintained relationships with healthcare professionals to promote pharmaceutical products.
- Conducted product presentations and training sessions for medical staff to enhance product knowledge.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to inform strategic sales approaches.
Medical Sales Representative
Aventis Pharma South Africa
11.2001 - 05.2002
- Participated in the launch of ACTONEL (osteoporosis) and promoted LANZOR and TAVANIC to gastroenterologists and physicians.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with healthcare professionals to drive product adoption.
- Conducted in-depth product presentations and demonstrations to educate clients on pharmaceutical benefits.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to inform strategic sales approaches.
Education
Graduate Diploma -
IMM (Institute of Marketing Management)
Johannesburg06-2010
B.A. - Human Movement Studies
University of Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch01-1999
Skills
- Communication techniques
- Data-driven focus
- Stakeholder engagement
- Strategic analysis
- Integrity, responsiveness, high commitment
- Project management
- Strategic leadership
- Coaching and mentoring
Accomplishments
- International Therapeutics Award 1H26: AI Driven Brand & Rheumatology Innovation at AbbVie
- International Therapeutics Award 2H24: AbbVie’s 1st ACE Insights Operating Model (IOM) Affiliate Implementation with SKYRIZI cross functional Team leads to overall market leadership
- AbbVie Award of Excellence 2023: Infield Leadership Council
- Awarded National Sales Manager of the Year 2022 & All Star 2022
- President’s Award 2H 2022: Acceleration to market leadership, SKYRIZI
- AbbVie Award of Excellence 2020 – SKYRIZI Brand Team
- President’s Award 2H 2019: Driving Innovation in Australia & NZ
- Best in Class Award 2019: Driving Innovation in Australia & NZ – creation & implementation of an inaugural Innovation Week
- President’s Award 1H 2017: Uplift in team engagement and challenger adoption drives outstanding performance for a 30-year-old brand
Certification
- Wellbeing Lead AbbVie ANZ (2024)
- Steering Committee Co-lead of Infield Leadership Council (2021-2023)
- Medicines Australia (MA) – University of Tasmania
- CHALLENGER training
- VEEVA Promomats, VEEVA CRM, Concur
Languages
afrikaans
Full Professional
Timeline
Associate Director, Strategic Lead, Rheumatoid Arthritis
IMCO
05.2025 - Current
Business Unit Manager (Dermatology)
AbbVie Australia Pty Ltd
10.2024 - 05.2025
Business Unit Manager (Urology/Paediatric Endocrinology/Sevorane)
AbbVie Australia Pty Ltd
05.2024 - 10.2024
National Sales Manager (Psoriasis)
AbbVie Australia Pty Ltd
11.2020 - 05.2024
Senior Brand Manager: SKYRIZI (Risankizumab) & HUMIRA (HS)
AbbVie Australia Pty Ltd
03.2018 - 11.2020
Brand Manager: Urology Oncology/Pediatric Endocrinology
AbbVie Australia Pty Ltd
11.2015 - 03.2018
Senior Product Manager: CNS
Lundbeck Australia Pty Ltd
06.2014 - 11.2015
Group Product Manager CNS
Lundbeck South Africa Pty Ltd
01.2009 - 05.2014
Medical Sales Representative – CNS
Lundbeck South Africa Pty Ltd
06.2002 - 12.2008
Medical Sales Representative
Aventis Pharma South Africa
11.2001 - 05.2002
B.A. - Human Movement Studies
University of Stellenbosch
Graduate Diploma -
IMM (Institute of Marketing Management)