Karla Childers | Bioethics & Strategic Projects Leader, Office of the Chief Medical Officer
Janssen Global Services LLC

Vice President of Bioethics, Policy & Partnerships in the Office of the Chief Medical Officer at Johnson & Johnson. Drawing on her multidisciplinary foundation in chemistry, health law, and bioethics, Karla brings a unique lens to navigating complex ethical challenges in biomedical innovation.
Her team fosters responsible R&D practices, shapes ethics-based policies, and builds key strategic partnerships that prioritize patient welfare, societal trust, and innovation. Beyond J&J, Karla serves on the board of the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting ethical leadership and responsibility among professionals.
Her perspective is informed by more than 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry and her personal experience as a patient advocate for family members. Grounded in a belief that ethical progress must accompany scientific advancement, she brings both professional expertise and personal conviction to her work. Karla also has a passion for teaching. She is grateful to lecture at Columbia University in the same program where she earned her Master of Bioethics, helping to shape the next generation of leaders in the field.