Adam Schechter, chairman and CEO, Labcorp
Why selected: Since Schechter took the helm of Labcorp in November 2019, the company has seen a period of growth, with revenue for the first quarter of 2021 increasing 47% year-over-year. During Covid-19, the company performed more than 46 million PCR and antibody Covid-19 tests, and has worked to identify variants of the virus using genetic sequencing. Schechter also serves as chair of the corporate advisory council of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and serves on the board of Water.org.
If you could have an alternate title, what would it be? Maestro of the Labcorp Orchestra. Like a maestro conducts an orchestra to create a unified sound, it is my goal to lead and unite our employees in pursuit of our mission to improve health and improve lives.
How long have you worked at your company? 8 years. I first joined as a member of the board of directors in 2013 and became CEO in 2019.
Where were you born? Brooklyn, New York
What is the biggest challenge you face right now as a leader in your company? As we begin the process of supporting a safe return to work and life for people all over the world, we are now working through how to apply the lessons learned during the pandemic to other parts of our business moving forward. Covid-19 has significantly changed the conversation around health care. It is imperative we focus on applying those lessons to prepare for the future and to spur the development of new and better tests and treatments for other diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, liver disease and autoimmune disorders.
What did you learn about your colleagues through Covid? About your community? I am inspired by what we’ve accomplished by working together in the face of so many challenges when the world needed more than ever what Labcorp could do. Our ability to adapt quickly in a changing environment, and our resilience, have been foundational in the fight against Covid-19. At no other time in our more than 50-year history have our employees performed more tests or supported more drug development projects around the world. Through these efforts, we are helping health care providers, drug and vaccine developers and patients get the information they need to make clear, confident health decisions.
What did you learn about yourself through the pandemic? I have always had a passion for finding answers to tough questions and I learned that what we’ve experienced through the pandemic has further fanned those flames. Our company has applied scientific expertise in pursuit of much needed answers to stop the spread of Covid-19. Our ability to move fast and demonstrate the strength of science, technology and innovation has energized me to continue searching for answers to improve health and lives for patients all over the world.
How do you measure success? In my professional life, I measure success by the number of lives positively impacted. In my personal life, success means being a good father to my twin boys and my daughter and a good husband to my wife of 36 years.
Share one thing about yourself that would surprise people? I have a pet pig named Jellybean.
What are your hobbies? Jet skiing, running Tough Mudder races and watching sports (Fly Eagles Fly!)
