TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Phyllis Barkman Ferrell, DrPH, MBA
 

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When Phyllis Barkman Ferrell speaks about brain health, she does so from a perspective few can match. A seasoned life sciences executive, entrepreneur, investor, and advisor, she has spent decades at the forefront of Alzheimer's disease research, healthcare innovation, and public health strategy. Throughout her career, she has led major initiatives, including Lilly's late-stage Alzheimer's therapeutic and diagnostic platform, the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative with the World Economic Forum, the StartUp Health Alzheimer's Moonshot, and the Clinical Trial Recruitment Laboratory at the USC Schaeffer Policy Institute.

 

Today, as an independent advisor and international speaker, Phyllis is focused on helping individuals, businesses, healthcare systems, and policymakers prepare for the realities of a rapidly aging global population. While many people view brain health as strictly a healthcare issue, she believes it is equally a business, economic, and leadership issue. Her mission is to help organizations recognize that protecting brain health means protecting their most valuable asset: people.

 

We spoke with Phyllis about why brain health should be a priority for every leader and what practical steps individuals and organizations can take today.

 

What inspired your passion for brain health?

 

My professional and personal journeys collided unexpectedly. About halfway through my career, Lilly asked me to lead the late-stage Alzheimer's team. Six months later, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I suddenly found myself experiencing the disease from two perspectives: as an executive helping develop treatments and as a daughter navigating the realities of diagnosis and care. What struck me most was how difficult the system was to navigate. Even with my professional network and resources, my family struggled. That experience opened my eyes to how unprepared our healthcare systems were for the scale of cognitive impairment and aging ahead. I realized I wanted to focus not only on developing medicines, but also on improving systems, increasing awareness, and helping society prepare for what is coming.

 

What are you focused on today?

 

I think about three priorities. The first is healthcare system preparedness. Hospitals, physicians, and healthcare organizations need better tools, workflows, and service lines to support cognitive health as populations age. The second is clinical trial enrollment. There are approximately 140 potential therapies currently being studied, but recruitment remains one of the biggest barriers to progress. The faster we can conduct research, the faster we can bring new solutions to patients. The third is entrepreneurship and innovation. We need more founders, investors, and innovators developing technologies and services that support brain health, healthy aging, and cognitive assessment. These priorities are interconnected and all benefit from earlier detection and more open conversations about brain health.

 

Why should business leaders care about brain health?

 

Because our brains are our greatest assets. Every decision, relationship, strategy, and innovation begins with cognitive performance. The health of an organization depends on the health of the people leading and working within it. The encouraging news is that many risk factors are within our control. Research highlighted by the Lancet Commission suggests that over 40 percent of dementias may be influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors.

 

Sleep is particularly important. During sleep, the brain's glymphatic system helps clear waste products that accumulate throughout the day. Yet many executives still celebrate all-nighters and chronic sleep deprivation as signs of commitment. The reality is that those habits can undermine long-term brain health. Leaders influence workplace culture, and the behaviors they model and reward become the behaviors their teams adopt.

 

What practical steps can professionals take today?

 

Start viewing brain health as preventive maintenance. Most people understand the importance of maintaining their finances, homes, and physical fitness. The brain deserves the same attention. Focus on daily habits that support cognitive resilience. Prioritize movement, healthy eating, stress management, quality sleep, social engagement, and continuous learning. Another important point is that Alzheimer's disease does not begin when symptoms appear. Biological changes may begin years or even decades earlier. The choices people make in their forties, fifties, and sixties can influence brain health later in life. The best time to invest in brain health is long before you think you need to.

 

How does brain health affect businesses and economies?

 

The impact is significant. Many employees are caring for aging parents, spouses, or loved ones while managing their careers. Those responsibilities often affect productivity, absenteeism, and stress levels. At the same time, the "silver economy" continues to grow. Older adults remain active consumers, voters, workers, and contributors who want to stay healthy, independent, and engaged. For governments and economies, aging populations create new challenges. Fewer workers are supporting larger populations of retirees, placing pressure on social systems and economic growth.

 

One of the most effective ways to address that challenge is through early detection and intervention. The longer people can remain healthy, productive, and independent, the better the outcomes for individuals, families, businesses, and society. In the United States, every person over 65 is entitled to a cognitive assessment as part of their annual wellness visit, yet only a small percentage receive it. Increasing awareness and normalizing these conversations could make a meaningful difference.

 

What gives you optimism about the future?

 

We know more today than ever before. Scientific advances, emerging technologies, innovative startups, and promising therapies are creating opportunities that did not exist even a decade ago. One of the biggest opportunities is establishing cognitive baselines before problems emerge. Rather than waiting for symptoms, we should normalize routine cognitive assessments and treat brain health as an ongoing part of preventive care. When we identify changes early, we have more options and more opportunities to intervene. I often say that I do not know a single disease that is easier to manage when you catch it late. Brain health is no different. If we can shift our focus from reaction to prevention, we can help individuals live healthier lives, support stronger organizations, and build a future that allows aging populations and economies to thrive.

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Phyllis Barkman Ferrell, DrPH, MBA
Founder
PBFERRELL LLC 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/phylferrell
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