Katherine Pickus is divisional vice president, Sustainability Insights and Outreach at Abbott, overseeing the global healthcare company’s sustainability initiatives and reporting. Working together with Abbott business leaders, Katherine oversees efforts to maximize the positive impact of Abbott's business in helping people build better lives and stronger communities, while strengthening our business through shared value and reducing our impact on the environment.
Prior to joining Abbott, Katherine served as the Special Assistant for National Security Affairs to the Vice President of the United States, focused on advancing development and U.S. relations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Katherine began her career at the U.S. Department of State, working with the private sector to advance democratic institution-building programs worldwide. In 1993, she was selected by the United Nations to serve as an election monitor for the first-ever democratic elections held in the Republic of South Africa.

Katherine is a member of the Southeast Asia Advisory Committee at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, where she also served as a member of the Executive Council on Development. In addition, she serves as a member of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, which focuses on advancing the status of women in Afghanistan. Katherine speaks extensively at conferences and events focused on sustainability, shared value, corporate responsibility, and global health and development.