Lilly's John Lechleiter Elected Chair of United Way Worldwide Board of Trustees

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), was today elected to a two-year term as chair of United Way Worldwide's Board of Trustees. United Way is the world's largest privately funded nonprofit.  

"John brings extensive leadership and expertise leading one of the world's most successful companies as well as a personal commitment to improving people's lives," said Brian A. Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide. "John will be instrumental in helping to strengthen the capacity of our worldwide network to meet rapidly growing human need. He possesses a unique understanding of both United Way and the increasingly complex issues facing communities around the world."

Lechleiter has served as Lilly CEO since 2008 and as chairman since 2009.  He joined Lilly in 1979 as a senior organic chemist in process research and development and became head of that department in 1982. In 1984, he began serving as director of pharmaceutical product development for the Lilly Research Centre Limited in Windlesham, England. He later held roles in project management, regulatory affairs, product development, and pharmaceutical operations. In 2005, he was named president and chief operating officer and joined the board of directors.

"I am honored to be named chairman of such a great organization," said Lechleiter. "United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good—work that is both fundamental and complex. I appreciate the unique and indispensable role of United Way in effecting change in the areas of education, income and health—creating the building blocks to help people achieve their full potential."

Lechleiter is a member of the American Chemical Society and Business Roundtable. He serves on the board of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), as president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA), as chairman of the U.S.-Japan Business Council, and on the boards of United Way Worldwide, Life Sciences Foundation, and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership. He also serves on the boards of Nike, Inc. and Ford Motor Company.

About United Way
United Way is a worldwide movement of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action – to give, advocate and volunteer – to improve conditions in their local community. For more information about United Way, please visit: UnitedWay.org.

About Lilly's commitment to the United Way
Lilly has ties with the United Way dating back to World War I, when J.K. Lilly served as a member of the War Chest, a forerunner of today's United Way. Over the last 92 years, Lilly has raised more than $245 million for the United Way. The company earned United Way's coveted Spirit of America award in 2009 in recognition of this exceptional level of support. In 2013, Lilly employees, along with a match from the Lilly Foundation, donated a record-breaking $12.6 million to the United Way of Central Indiana and provided more than 170,000 volunteer hours to United Way agencies. Lilly also partners with United Way Worldwide to reduce the burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis for people living in impoverished communities in China, India, Russia and South Africa.

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SOURCE United Way Worldwide