Alessandra Abate

Alessandra uses her passion for transformative leadership and scientific innovation to help companies along their growth journeys.

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Based in Milan, she partners with global clients in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries and beyond, advising boards, CEOs, and C-suites on their most critical leadership challenges, and deploying a holistic, purpose-driven advisory approach to enhance performance and de-risk the future through leadership.

Alessandra currently leads Russell Reynolds Associates’ Italian operations and serves on the firm's Extended Leadership Team. Previously, she led the global biotech and pharmaceuticals practice at the firm.

Prior to joining RRA, Alessandra spent 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry, where she served at MSD, Amgen and Boehringer Ingelheim in country, regional, and global roles. She built a reputation as a change leader, successfully driving business model transformation in product commercialization.

Alessandra received her degree in foreign languages and literature, with honors, from the Università di Roma La Sapienza and her MBA, with honors, from the Università LUISS Guido Carli, both in Rome, Italy. She is also an MMS certified coach and speaks fluent English, Italian and Portuguese.

Areas of Expertise

Assessment and Benchmarking Board Director and Chair Search Board of Directors CEO Succession Chief Executive Officers C-Suite Succession Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Executive Search Pharma Venture Capital and Growth