The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. hosted a virtual Signature Event on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. David Rubenstein interviewed Kenneth C. Frazier, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Co., Inc.

Ken Frazier joined Merck in 1992 and rose through positions of increasing responsibility, including General Counsel and President, ultimately becoming Chairman and CEO since 2011. As one of the largest multinational pharmaceutical companies in the world, Merck is dedicated to delivering innovative, lifesaving medicines and vaccines that benefit global public health. Under Ken’s leadership, Merck’s investment in research and development has substantially increased, generating breakthroughs to treat unmet medical needs and benefitting patients around the world.

Ken Frazier is also Co-Chair of OneTen, a new initiative that relies on a coalition of leading executives to provide one million careers for Black Americans within the next ten years. OneTen will connect leading local, regional, and national education and skillbuilding organizations with employers who are committed to hiring, upskilling and advancing Black talent. “Through the creation of one million jobs for Black Americans over the next ten years, OneTen has the potential to address persistent intergenerational gaps in opportunity and wealth,” says Ken. To date, 37 companies have joined the initiative.