INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Elanco Animal Health Incorporated has announced the appointment of Jamie Preston as Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, effective November 3, 2026. Preston brings more than two decades of global business experience and human resources leadership to the animal health company, succeeding Dave Kinard, who plans to retire at the end of the year.
Preston joins Elanco from Eli Lilly and Company, where she spent 23 years in various leadership positions, including nearly two decades in human resources. Most recently, she served as Vice President of HR, Global Compensation and Workforce Innovation, overseeing compensation and recognition programs for more than 50,000 employees worldwide. She also led initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, workforce modernization and organizational development.
“Jamie is a visionary, dynamic leader with the speed and agility that defines Elanco. She has deep global experience across every facet of human resources, from organizational design and talent development to workforce innovation and digital transformation,” said Jeff Simmons, President and CEO of Elanco.
Throughout her career at Lilly, Preston held leadership positions supporting operations across multiple international markets. She served as Associate Vice President of Human Resources for the Asia-Pacific region, working across Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong. She also held HR leadership responsibilities in Japan, supported global oncology operations and worked with corporate and manufacturing teams.
Preston’s appointment comes as Elanco continues to strengthen its global workforce and expand its commitment to animal health innovation. The company develops products and services designed to prevent and treat diseases in livestock and companion animals, supporting veterinarians, farmers and pet owners around the world.
“Elanco’s purpose – food and companionship enriching lives – deeply resonates with me,” said Jamie Preston, “I am excited to partner with our global teams to champion our people, advance workforce innovation and cultivate a culture where our talent thrives as we deliver for veterinarians, pet owners, farmers and the animals in their care.”
Outside her corporate responsibilities, Preston serves on the board of directors for Teach for America in Indianapolis and previously served on the board of Cancer Support Community Central Indiana. She completed the Chief Human Resources Officer Program at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health service administration from the University of Evansville.
The leadership transition also marks the upcoming retirement of Dave Kinard, who played an important role in establishing Elanco’s human resources operations following its separation from Eli Lilly and transition into an independent, publicly traded company.
During his tenure, Kinard helped develop the company’s global workforce strategies, employee engagement initiatives and organizational culture. He also oversaw Elanco’s headquarters relocation from Greenfield to Indianapolis, including the development of the One Health Innovation District, a life sciences innovation hub anchored by Elanco and Purdue University.
“Today our employee engagement is the highest since our IPO, backed by a culture and brand in a position of strength because of Dave’s dedicated leadership and enduring contributions,” added Simmons.
Kinard will work alongside Preston through the remainder of the year to support the leadership transition.
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Elanco Animal Health has more than 70 years of experience developing animal health products and services for livestock and companion animals. The company serves agricultural producers, veterinarians and animal owners worldwide, with a focus on improving animal health, productivity and well-being.
