Zoetis general counsel steps down

Zoetis has announced in an SEC filing that Heidi Chen has stepped down as executive vice president, general counsel & corporate secretary and business lead of human health diagnostics, effective April 16. The filing states that Chen will continue as an employee adviser of the company until July 16 this year, after which it is anticipated she will be a non-employee consultant. 

According to her LinkedIn profile, Chen has been with Zoetis for almost 12 years. She took up her most recent position in January 2020 and was previously executive vice president, general counsel & corporate secretary. Before Zoetis, she was vice president and assistant general counsel with Pfizer for more than 13 years.

Zoetis, which bills itself as the world’s leading animal health company, became a stand-alone company spun off from Pfizer in 2013.

Zoetis says Roxanne Lagano, executive vice president, chief human resources and global operations officer, will serve as interim general counsel and corporate secretary while the company looks for Chen’s permanent replacement. ‘The company is currently working to identify external and internal candidates,’ it states.

Before Zoetis, Lagano was senior vice president for global compensation, benefits & wellness at Pfizer.

A Zoetis spokesperson says in a statement: ‘On April 16, 2024, Zoetis announced Heidi Chen is stepping down from her role as executive vice president and general counsel and corporate secretary. Zoetis is grateful for Heidi’s dedication and more than 25 years of service to [the company].’

The company will immediately begin an internal and external search for a new executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary and Lagano will work with Chen ‘to ensure a smooth transition,’ the spokesperson adds.

Chen could not be reached immediately for comment.