FORTUNE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 63
As the head of Pfizer’s
sprawling biopharma-
ceutical unit, Hwang
can take a hefty slice
of the credit for its
booming COVID-19
vaccine sales, which
the drugmaker pro-
jects will hit $33.5 bil-
lion in 2021. Leading a
team of some 26,000
people across seven
commercial drug divi-
sions that generated
$42 billion in 2020
sales, Hwang is often
mentioned as a strong
contender for the
company’s top perch.
Her influence within
Pfizer goes beyond
her P&L; Hwang has
been recognized by
outside organizations
for her efforts to pro-
mote diversity, equity,
and inclusion at the
pharma powerhouse.
She’s overseen dona-
tion efforts for groups
that support the Asian
American and Pacific
Islander community
and pushed for pas-
sage of the COVID-19
Hate Crimes Act to
combat the rise of
anti-Asian discrimina-
tion and violence seen
during the pandemic.
President Joe Biden
signed the legislation
into law in May.Angela
Hwang
Group President,
Biopharmaceuticals,
55, Pfizer1611
2020 RANK