Melissa Howe

Background

About Melissa Howe

Dynamic cross-functional executive bridging Commercial and HR expertise to drive business transformation. With over two decades of leadership in the animal health industry—including roles at Novartis, Elanco, and now Zoetis—I bring a unique blend of commercial acumen and human capital strategy to every opportunity. After building my career in sales leadership, I spent the past five years in strategic HR and Talent Development, leading global initiatives that shaped the future of our workforce. I’m excited to return to my commercial roots as Vice President of Sales for US Cattle and Pork at Zoetis, leading a team of high-performing sales professionals in a critical and evolving market. My ability to move seamlessly across functions has unlocked diverse leadership opportunities, allowing me to view challenges through both a business and people lens. I specialize in building strong, agile teams, developing talent, and driving customer-centric innovation—especially during times of change like acquisitions, restructuring, or industry transformation. Whether driving global talent strategy or margin expansion, my approach is grounded in data driven decisions, constant learning, and the belief that investing in people drives the best business outcomes. Outside the office, I channel my passion for growth into fitness and mindfulness as a 500-hour certified yoga instructor and NASM-certified personal trainer—principles that inform my leadership style and focus on balance, resilience, and well-being. Specialties: Change Management Sales Operations Marketing Collaboration Product Launch Strategy Sales Force optimization Employee Experience Strategic HR Planning & Execution | Talent Management & Succession Planning Organizational Design | Project Management | HR Transformation Talent Assessment