Ayana Champagne is Corporate Vice President, Head of People & Organization (P&O) at Novo Nordisk. Since joining the company in May 2021, she has been instrumental in advancing key organizational strategies and programs focused on building fit-for-future people, culture, and capabilities, activating leadership and talent, and ensuring business readiness, scalability, and agility.

Ayana is a seasoned business leader with nearly 30 years of experience driving global human resources functions and strategies across the healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, and technology industries. She has championed the employee experience as the foundation of business success—fueling both value creation and organizational growth. Ayana has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing workplace cultures grounded in the Novo Nordisk Way, and her passion for improving health outcomes for underserved communities, particularly those affected by Sickle Cell Disease, has been a central focus of her career.

Ayana's leadership extends beyond her professional role, as she leverages her expertise to actively engage with organizations that drive meaningful societal impact. She currently serves as the Executive Sponsor for the NovoEqual (LGBTQ+ and allies) Employee Resource Group and is Chair of the Novo Nordisk US Employers Board of Directors. She also sits on the DUMBO Business Improvement District Board of Directors. Her contributions and influence have been widely recognized, as evidenced by her receipt of prestigious awards such as Savoy Magazine's 2024 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America Award, the Diversity Journal's Black Leaders Worth Watching Award, and the OnCon Icon Top 100 HR Professional Awards in 2022 and 2023.

Before joining NNI, Ayana held the position of Chief Human Resources Officer at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, where she played a pivotal role in leading the design and delivery of key programs centered around global HR optimization, corporate reputation, global total rewards, benefits and compensation, talent acquisition, and diversity and inclusion.

Ayana's academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Bradley University and dual masters-level degrees in Human Resources Management and Technology & Operations Management from Aurora University. Her extensive experience, leadership, and commitment to building inclusive workplace cultures make her a highly influential and impactful force in shaping business culture, elevating the employee experience, and driving healthcare impact.