Our Global Leadership Team

Dr. Simon Tasker

Chief Executive Officer

As the CEO of Colorcon, Simon is responsible for leading the strategic vision of the company to ensure we continue to progress as the most trusted partner across the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical value chain. His focus is on driving innovation and leadership in the development and commercialization of new technologies that enable safety and best-in-class quality for customers and consumers around the world.  

Simon joined Colorcon in 1996 as a scientist based in the United Kingdom. In 1998, he transferred to the United States, where he held various leadership roles within technical, commercial and marketing. In 2008, Simon relocated to the China office, where he ultimately assumed responsibility of the East Asian business.  

Returning to the US in 2016, Simon led the strategic business development team with a focus on strengthening the Colorcon position as the global leader in the design and development of specialty excipients for solid oral dosage in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. 

Simon attained a Bachelor of Science degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in chemistry from the University of Durham (UK). He is proud to be both a British and American citizen.

David Graeber

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Dave began his career with Colorcon in 2011 and has been our CFO since 2016. In this role, Dave leads our Global Finance Organization and our Information Technology Organization. 

Before joining Colorcon, Dave spent eight years with ICT Group, Inc., a global business process outsourcing company, as the Senior Vice President of Accounting, and he spent 12 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he held a variety of roles serving companies in the technology industry. He has more than 30 years of experience in financial management, investor relations, treasury, accounting and income taxes.

Dave obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from The Pennsylvania State University as well as an MBA from La Salle University.

Dr. Ali Rajabi-Siahboomi

Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer

Ali has been with Colorcon for 24 years. His passion is grounded in innovation as a way of creating value for customers and finding solutions that contribute to global health and wellness. Prior to his role as Chief Innovation Officer, Ali served as Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer for 10 years.

Ali began his career at Colorcon as the Technical Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa before moving to the United States in 2003 to fill the role of Global Technical Director for modified release technologies.

Prior to joining Colorcon, Ali held various academic positions in the United Kingdom. He obtained a Bachelor of Science and a Ph.D. in pharmacy from the University of Nottingham (UK). 

Daniel Wakefield

Vice President of Global Operations

Dan joined Colorcon in 2003 as the Facilities & Engineering Manager in the Dartford, Kent County, England, office location. He was soon promoted to Production Manager, and then Project Manager, where he was responsible for overseeing a large inventory management program.

In January of 2014, Dan relocated his family to Pennsylvania (US), where he served as the Site Director for West Point, PA, and Puerto Rico, later expanding his role to include Stoughton, Wisconsin (US). He was ultimately promoted to the Operations Director for North America and northern Latin America.

In 2020, Dan was appointed Vice President of Global Operations for Colorcon, with responsibility for setting the strategic direction and coordination of all operational departments globally.  

Kelly Boyer

Vice President of Film Coatings and Strategic Business Development

Kelly joined Colorcon in December of 2014. In her current role, Kelly is responsible for developing and implementing the global strategy for the Film Coatings business unit, partnering with regional teams to identify market needs and gaps in the existing product portfolio and collaborating with product development to provide the solutions customers need. Additionally, Kelly leads strategic business development for the company, overseeing global marketing, customer experience and commercial excellence.   

Prior to joining Colorcon, Kelly served in the chemical industry for nearly 30 years in various roles at Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.; Momentive Specialty Chemicals, Inc.; and MG Industries (Air Liquide). 

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Drexel University. 

Kurt Fegely

Vice President of Excipient Technologies

Kurt recently celebrated his 30^th year at Colorcon and has served in his current role since January 2023. He was initially hired as an Analytical Chemist and has held various positions within Product Development and Technical Services.

In 2012, Kurt was promoted to lead Market Development in North America before transitioning to General Manager for the Controlled Release Alliance with various partners.

In 2014, Kurt assumed the role of Regional Sales Manager and ultimately, Sales Director of the North American and northern Latin American region until February 2021, when he assumed the role of Managing Director, Americas.

Kurt earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Shippensburg University, a graduate degree in pharmaceutics from Temple University and his MBA from Saint Joseph’s University.

Dr. David Bain

Vice President of Functional Packaging

Dave has been with Colorcon for 20 years and has held various roles in product, sales and general management. Initially recruited as the Market Development Manager of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, Dave was promoted in 2009 to General Manager of the Formulation Technologies business unit, based in the United States. While in the US, Dave held roles within sales leadership before ultimately being named Managing Director of EMEA and Southeast Asia. In July of 2024, Dave was asked to lead Colorcon’s Functional Packaging business unit, a role he holds today.

Prior to joining Colorcon, Dave held various product development and project management roles within Merck Generics and Quintiles Inc., both located in the United Kingdom.

Dave earned both his Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy and his Ph.D. from Robert Gordon University (UK). He also has an MBA from the University of Strathclyde (UK), where he focused on strategic planning. 

Valerie Nizard

Vice President of Global HR

Val joined Colorcon as the Vice President of Global Human Resources (HR) in November of 2022. She is a dual French and British national with 25 years of experience in global HR, serving primarily in the consumer goods sector.

Prior to joining Colorcon, Val held various roles within HR, supporting many corporate and global job functions and business units throughout Italy and the United Kingdom.

Val loves understanding the Colorcon business and is passionate about building an HR function that serves as a true business partner with people at the center of the organization.

Val holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and economy and a graduate degree in human resources, both from Sciences Po Paris in France.

Shannon Kelly

Managing Director, Americas

Shannon has been with Colorcon for 20 years and has held his current role since January of 2023.

Prior to this, Shannon was responsible for developing the global strategy for the Formulation Technologies business unit, guiding product development and alliance partnerships. As part of this role, Shannon was also responsible for commercial excellence, mergers and acquisitions and global account management.

Before moving back to the United States, Shannon was the Managing Director for Northeast and Southeast Asia, located in Shanghai (China). He also held various roles within North America and Europe. 

Shannon obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from The Pennsylvania State University as well as an MBA from Temple University. 

Karen Lauxmann

Managing Director EMEA

Karen joined Colorcon in 2025 as the Managing Director of the Europe / Middle East / Africa (EMEA) region. She is based in the United Kingdom.

Karen brings extensive experience from pharma / biotech, CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization), CRO (contract research organization) and consultancy, working across a wide range of technologies, therapeutic areas and geographies.

Karen carries dual German / British nationality and holds a chemical engineering degree from the University of Stuttgart in Germany and an MBA degree from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom.

Willem Hoogwater

Managing Director, Northeast, Southeast and South Asia

Willem joined Colorcon in 2020 as the Managing Director of the NESEA region. He is based in Singapore. 

Willem is of Dutch nationality and has over 22 years of international business experience in the excipients and life sciences industries, where he has held positions in general management, global marketing, sales leadership, project management and business development.

He has worked and lived in many locations, including the United States, India, Germany, The Netherlands and China.

Prior to joining Colorcon, Willem worked at Royal FrieslandCampina, where he most recently served as the Managing Director for Ingredients in the Asia Pacific region, based in Singapore.

Willem holds a graduate degree in pharmacy from Utrecht University, The Netherlands, and has continued his education at INSEAD, IMD and Columbia Business School. 

Michele Sullivan

General Counsel

Shelly began her career with Berwind Corporation, an affiliate of Colorcon, in 2007 and has been the General Counsel since 2021. In this role, Shelly is responsible for all legal matters across the organization.   

Prior to her role with Colorcon, Shelly spent more than 13 years as counsel to other companies in the Berwind portfolio. Before joining Berwind Corporation, she was an associate with the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in its Business and Finance Practice Group in Philadelphia. She has more than 20 years of broad-based experience including contract negotiation, litigation management, corporate governance, intellectual property, real property, employment, international trade, compliance and regulatory matters.

Shelly obtained a B.A. in international studies from American University and a J.D. from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law.