Alcon – Sustainability in the Eye Care Industry

Jeannette Bankes, President & GM, Global Surgical Franchise at Alcon, a global leader in eyecare, discusses sustainability and Alcon’s recently released Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments and their 2021 Corporate Responsibility report. Jeannette also discusses how the Surgical business is addressing emission and waste, including packaging reduction programs like GreenIST – the Green Innovations Surgical Team (GreenIST). She also talks about the unique challenge healthcare organizations face with sustainability and single-use medical products and the responsibility and opportunity for eye care companies to create sustainable initiatives. Please visit www.alcon.com for more information.

Jeannette Bankes is the President and General Manager of the Global Surgical Franchise at Alcon. In this role, Ms. Bankes’ responsibilities include strategic leadership and oversight to product development, portfolio management and commercialization of products that support the global surgical ophthalmology business. With over 28 years in the healthcare space, Ms. Bankes has contributed to numerous technology advancements, including advanced intraocular lenses to treat cataracts (AcrySof ® IQ PanOptix and AcrySof ® IQ Vivity).

Prior to joining Alcon, she served as the General Manager, Urology & Pelvic Health for Boston Scientific with leadership responsibilities across multiple divisions and functions throughout her 15-year tenure including Vice President of Clinical & Regulatory Affairs, Director of Scientific Communications, and Director of Medical Affairs. At Boston Scientific, Ms. Bankes was responsible for the entire scope of the global business including commercial sales, marketing, R&D, regulatory, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, clinical research and new business development. Ms. Bankes was instrumental in launching the company’s relationship with Girls, Inc., which generated early STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Math) development programs across Boston Scientific.

At Alcon, she continues to play an important leadership role supporting employee resource groups (ERGs), including Women Innovating Now (WIN) and Young Professional Network, and the company’s D&I efforts. Ms. Bankes began her career with Merck & Co., where she held diverse roles of increasing responsibility in sales, marketing, clinical and biological manufacturing during her 12 years with the company. Ms. Bankes earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Medical Technology from Kutztown University.