Johanna Herrmann serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Merck.

She leads a global team focused on driving business value through external, internal, and digital communications strategies. In this role, she is responsible for developing and executing the company’s communications approach, engaging with key stakeholders, protecting and advancing Merck’s global reputation and amplifying the company’s contributions to global health.

Johanna has nearly 20 years of experience helping some of the world’s largest and most valuable brands build their reputation and deliver strong results. With a blended skillset spanning corporate communications, brand strategy and journalism, she has led numerous global campaigns with internal, media, digital, social and community outreach components, including high-stakes issues and crisis management workstreams with substantial business implications.

Before joining Merck, Johanna held leadership roles at Gagen MacDonald, where she oversaw integrated communications support for Johnson & Johnson; served as an external communications leader for WellCare Health Plans (now part of Centene); and held roles across global communications at The Coca-Cola Company. She began her career as a news producer at WWAY News Channel 3.

Johanna has been widely recognized for her achievements. In 2025, she received several honors, including PRWeek’s Women of Distinction, PRNEWS’ Top Women in PR – In-House Innovator, and Ragan’s Top Women in Communications. She was named a Tampa Bay Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree in 2023 and was included on PRWeek’s 40 Under 40 list in 2022. She also serves on the Fierce Advisory Board, the Board of Advisors to the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations (CPR), and is a board member of the Ad Council and the Scleroderma Foundation of California.

Additionally, Johanna remains actively engaged with the alumni associations of her high school, Northfield Mount Hermon School, and her alma maters, Boston University, and the University of Southern California (USC).