Our commitment to corporate governance underpins the trust that our investors, employees and institutions have in us. We maintain our efforts to keep this trust as we continue to grow.
Executive Committee
Valneva’s Executive Committee is a highly dedicated international team, with diverse backgrounds, experience, expertise and skills.
Thomas Lingelbach was CEO of Intercell and founding President and CEO of Valneva.
He is an established vaccine industry leader with over 30 years of experience including senior and executive management roles with Intercell, Novartis and Chiron.
A German national, Thomas has successfully contributed in different capacities to the successful development and licensure of more than ten vaccines. He holds an engineering degree specialized in bioprocess engineering and completed his education with a business administration program.
Peter Bühler is Chief Financial Officer of Valneva, having joined the company in January 2022.
He is an experienced financial leader with over 20 years in the life sciences and technology sectors.
Previously, he was CFO at Quotient, Zaluvida AG, and Stallergenes Greer Plc, where he led a major French-U.S. merger. A Swiss national, Peter also held senior positions at Eli Lilly, Merck Serono, and Logitech. He is a Swiss Certified Accountant and holds an MBA.
Vincent Dequenne is Chief Operating Officer of Valneva, having joined the company in July 2021.
He is an experienced operations leader with over 20 years in the biopharmaceutical industry, including leadership roles at Eurogentec, Eli Lilly, GSK Vaccines, and Pierre Fabre.
A Belgian national, Vincent has deep expertise in vaccines and drug manufacturing, CDMO operations, engineering services, and validation. He holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering.
Juan Carlos Jaramillo, MD, is Chief Medical Officer of Valneva, having joined in October 2020.
He brings over 20 years of global pharmaceutical experience, including senior roles at Daiichi Sankyo, Grünenthal, and GSK.
A dual Colombian and U.S. citizen, he has broad expertise in medical affairs, clinical development, market access, and pricing. Juan Carlos combines scientific and strategic leadership across vaccines and therapeutics. He is a Medical Doctor with deep insight into global healthcare systems.
Dipal Patel is Chief Commercial Officer of Valneva, having joined the company in November 2022.
She is an experienced commercial leader with over 20 years at GSK, where she held roles of increasing responsibility across the U.S., Australia, Europe, and Asia.
An Australian national, Dipal has deep expertise in commercial strategy and execution, market access, and lifecycle management. She led the global introduction and market expansion of a leading shingles vaccine.
She holds an MBA.
Petra Pesendorfer is Chief People Officer of Valneva, having joined in January 2024.
She brings over 15 years of global HR leadership experience, including roles at ams OSRAM, Rentokil Initial, and the Soravia Group.
An Austrian national, Petra has led large teams across regions in fast-paced, high-growth environments. Her expertise spans talent, global benefits strategy, cultural transformation, integration, and restructurings.. She holds an International MBA.
Hanneke Schuitemaker is the Chief Scientific Officer and joined the company in June 2024, bringing more than 20 years of experience in vaccine R&D.
She is a Dutch national and served for 14 years at Johnson & Johnson as the Global Head of Viral Vaccine Discovery and Translational Medicine, leading programs for COVID-19, HIV, RSV, Ebola and other targets.
Before that, Hanneke was holding academic research leadership roles at Sanquin and Amsterdam UMC and authored over 350 scientific publications.
Kendra Wergin joined Valneva in 2020 and became General Counsel in August 2024.
She is a U.S.-qualified lawyer with expertise in corporate and international law.
An American national, Kendra previously practiced in the London and Paris offices of a global law firm and in-house in California. Prior to studying law, she worked in public education and consulting. She earned law degrees in France and the U.S. and is admitted to practice in multiple U.S. jurisdictions.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors participates actively in reviewing the Company’s strategic options and setting direction, together with the Executive Committee.
Chair of Valneva’s Board of Directors, Vice Chair of Nanobiotix’s Supervisory Board, member of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Board of Directors and member of Vetoquinol S.A Board of Directors.
Member of the Board of Directors, Experienced non-executive director with a focus on Biotech/Medtech, Member of the Board of DBV Technologies
Member of the Board of Directors with more than 30 years of scientific and leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry
Member of the Board of Directors, More than three decades of experience in the life sciences industry. Former Executive Vice President and General Manager, Wyeth Vaccines and President, Wyeth Canada.
Member of the Board of Directors & Chair - Audit Committee, Former CFO for Chiron and CEO of Maxygen.
