Michelle Williford
About Michelle Williford
Michelle Williford serves as the Vice President of Marketing and Commercialization, Product Lead at Adaptimmune, where she has worked since 2022. With extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, she has held various leadership roles at companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson.
Work at Adaptimmune
Michelle Williford has been serving as the Vice President of Marketing and Commercialization, Product Lead at Adaptimmune since 2022. In this role, she is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive commercial strategy and collaborates with key cross-functional partners. Williford engages with external experts, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders essential for launch preparedness. She previously held the position of Senior Director, Head of Marketing, US Oncology at Adaptimmune from 2021 to 2022, where she played a significant role in the marketing strategies for oncology products.
Previous Experience at Bristol-Myers Squibb
Prior to her current role, Michelle Williford worked at Bristol-Myers Squibb in various capacities. She served as Director, Worldwide Operations Lead for Oncology from 2016 to 2017. Additionally, she held the position of Associate Marketing Director for Oncology Global Commercialization from 2013 to 2014. Her experience also includes roles as Senior Product Manager for Onglyza and Plavix, and as Director of Product & Portfolio Strategy in Immuno-Oncology. Her tenure at Bristol-Myers Squibb spanned over a decade and included significant contributions to oncology marketing and product management.
Career at Other Organizations
Michelle Williford has held various marketing and product management roles at other organizations. She worked at Johnson & Johnson as Product Director from 2000 to 2005. At Revlon, she was an Associate Product Manager from 1993 to 2000. Additionally, she served as Director of Commercial Marketing at DWK Life Sciences from 2018 to 2020. Her diverse background in marketing across different industries has equipped her with a broad skill set applicable to her current role.
Education and Expertise
Michelle Williford holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Johnson C. Smith University. She also studied Organizational Management at Wilmington University, earning another Bachelor of Science degree. Furthermore, she studied Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management at New York University. Her educational background supports her expertise in marketing and commercialization within the pharmaceutical industry.
Achievements in Product Launches
At Adaptimmune, Michelle Williford led the preparation and execution of the launch of afami-cel, the company's first commercial product. Her leadership in this initiative highlights her capabilities in product launch strategies and market readiness, contributing to the company's growth and presence in the oncology market.