Simon Kelner

 

Introduction

 

Simon Kelner is a seasoned HR executive with a wealth of experience and a diverse, multicultural background. He has built a notable career, helping businesses grow and driving leadership development across various industries, including biotech, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, technology, and automotive manufacturing.

 

Educational Background

 

Starting his journey in education, Simon earned a B.Sc. (Honors) in Management Sciences from The University of Manchester in the UK. He then pursued a CIPD - Graduate qualification in Human Resources Management from THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL AND DEVELOPMENT (UK). Simon crowned his academic achievements with an Executive MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, where he participated in an international program in collaboration with the Recanati School of Management, Tel Aviv.

 

Career Beginnings

 

Simon's career began at General Motors where he served as a Human Resources Manager as part of a Graduate Management Program. He then moved on to Nicholson Search and Selection Ltd., holding the role of Head of HR Consulting in the Healthcare Practice. After this, he became the Managing Director at SK & Associates, an executive search and people consultancy firm based in Israel.

 

Corporate Career Progression

 

In 2003, Simon joined Merck, marking the start of a long stint with the pharmaceutical giant. Throughout his time there, he undertook various roles including:

• Head of Human Resources (MSD Israel)
• Director of International Compensation
• Director of HR Business Partner for Global Manufacturing
• Executive Director of HR Business Partner for R&D, Technology, Finance & Strategy

His final position at Merck was Global Head of Talent Development and Future Employment Models.

 

Further Roles and Achievements

 

Following his time at Merck, Simon served as Vice President of HR for Global Talent Acquisition and Mobility at Teva Pharmaceuticals. He then transitioned to Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Inc. as the Chief Human Resources Officer, where he significantly contributed to scaling the organization from phase 2 clinical development through to registration and commercialization. Additionally, he served on the Board of Trustees at Temple Emanu-El of Westfield and took on an Independent Consultant role, providing coaching and consulting to CEOs and leadership teams of early-stage biotech startups.

 

Current Role

 

Presently, Simon is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Ovid Therapeutics, based in New York. In this role, he develops and implements organizational and people strategy, ensuring talent and cultural alignment with business objectives while facilitating the Board's Compensation Committee.

 

Skills and Competencies

 

Simon's skills span across human capital management, executive compensation, business transformation, leadership development, and various other facets of HR. Fluent in English, French, and Hebrew, he is known for his business acumen, leadership skills, and ability to manage complex organizational changes in multicultural settings. His career is marked by a strong track record of achievements in helping businesses grow purposefully and supporting leadership development on a global scale.