Merck appointed 20-year health care industry veteran Betty Larson as executive vice president and chief human resources officer, effective April 1, the Rahway-based pharmaceutical giant announced the same day. 

Larson succeeds Steve Mizell, who retired, the company told NJBIZ. 

In her new position, Larson is responsible for global human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion for the company. She comes to Merck from GE HealthCare, where she served as chief people officer for the global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics and digital solutions company.  

In a LinkedIn post, Larson expressed her gratitude for her previous employer while announcing her new position with “a company I have long admired, and the global HR team – also a talented and passionate team!”

Before GE HealthCare, Larson held executive HR positions with Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BD) – which she joined through the acquisition of C.R. Bard Inc. – as well as with Baxter International.  

A past and current board member of several organizations, including with Baxter Credit Union, Larson earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois, and an MBA from Northwestern University. 

Recently named America’s Most Responsible Company by Newsweek for 2024, Merck has been an active acquirer, including its $650 million deal for Harpoon Therapeutics Inc. in March and $1.3 billion purchase of Elanco Animal Health Inc.