Bill Nichols never thought his aspirations of becoming a physician would be the springboard to a three-decade career as a pharmaceutical leader. In the 25 years since starting out as a rep for Bristol Myers Squibb, he has worked in numerous leadership roles, including head of sales for Daklinza, for which he led the most successful launch in BMS history. Few have his vast experience across the industry ecosystem, from the beginnings of Abilify to his work on the first oral anti-HBV product to launching a cure for hepatitis C. At Bluebird Bio, Nichols heads up marketing for severe genetic diseases, leading the charge for transformational gene therapy.

Nichols has served as both a mentor and an example to younger talent within BMS and across the agencies and other companies with whom Bluebird Bio collaborates. He was a tri-chair of the employee resource groups at BMS, which strives to increase diversity and inclusion within the organization.