Black executive Deborah Telman earns $4.8-million salary from Gilead Sciences

Feyisayo Ajayi -

One of America’s leading Black executives, Deborah Telman, the executive vice president of corporate affairs and general counsel of Gilead Sciences, received a total compensation package of $4.8 million from the American biopharmaceutical company in 2022.

Telman — who became Gilead Sciences’ executive vice president of corporate affairs and general counsel on Aug. 1, 2022 — received a compensation package that includes a base salary of $0.38 million and a short-term incentive of $1.2 million — reflecting her joint role in leading the biopharmaceutical company toward impressive financial milestones in 2022.

Global legal mastery: Telman’s impact on Gilead Sciences’ financial landscape

The leading Black executive also received a long-term incentive award of $2 million, reflecting her unwavering dedication and expertise as a seasoned executive — her leadership has not only propelled the company forward but also reshaped the narrative of legal and general counsel within the ever-evolving corporate landscape.

As one of the Black executives in the biopharmaceutical industry, Telman has provided legal counsel across governance, litigation, corporate counsel, ethics and compliance, and global mergers and acquisitions throughout her distinguished career spanning over 25 years. Her diverse experience marks a pivotal journey since embarking on her legal career.

Telman’s influence bridging corporate success and philanthropic commitment

Her role in overseeing global legal operations and corporate governance has contributed immensely towards the operations and financial success of Gilead Sciences, with the company recording a 4.44-percent increase in gross profit in 2022. However, its assets declined by 7.04 percent from $67.95 billion in 2021 to $63.17 billion in 2022.

Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Telman remains actively engaged with numerous civic, charitable, and professional organizations, serving more than 140 markets with more than 60 medicines and products across a diverse range of therapeutic areas in the ever-evolving biopharmaceutical landscape.