Betty Larson is Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Merck (NYSE: MRK), a global biopharmaceutical company with more than $65 billion in annual revenue and approximately 75,000 team members operating in more than 140 countries.
As CHRO, Betty leads global human resources and diversity and inclusion, overseeing an HR organization of approximately 2,000 professionals and partners. She also serves on the Merck Foundation Board and the company’s Strategic Policy and Sustainability Council. Reflecting Merck’s sustained commitment to a people-centered culture, the company has received multiple workplace awards, including U.S. News & World Report’s Best Companies to Work For and Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work.
With nearly 30 years of experience—including 12 years in chief human resources officer and chief people officer roles—Betty brings strong business acumen and a strategic, enterprise-wide perspective to building leadership and organizational capabilities, strengthening culture, and leading large-scale transformation.
Prior to joining Merck in 2024, Betty served as Chief People Officer of GE HealthCare, where she helped prepare the organization for—and lead it through—its historic spinoff and transition into an independent public company. In that role, she was responsible for human resources, communications, corporate marketing, and the company’s foundation. Earlier in her career, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), a role she assumed following BD’s acquisition of C.R. Bard, Inc., where she held her first CHRO position.
Betty currently serves on the board of Baxter Credit Union and Youth Guidance and has held prior public and nonprofit board roles across healthcare, education, and community organizations.
She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Northwestern University.