EVANSTON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global professional services firm ZS today announced that Pratap Khedkar, head of the firm�s global biopharmaceuticals and healthcare ecosystem practices, has been elected to CEO by the firm�s leaders.

Khedkar is the third CEO in ZS�s nearly 40-year history. He was elected by his peers, a structure ZS�s founders Andris A. Zoltners and Prabhakant Sinha established to ensure cultural continuity and to elevate leaders who embody the company�s dedication to strategy, innovation and client collaboration. He succeeds Chris Wright, who served the firm�s maximum term and will be affiliated with ZS for the next five years as part of its principal emeritus program, focusing on the projects that he�s most passionate about.

Khedkar has held various leadership roles during his 21 years with ZS. Khedkar has led the firm�s global pharmaceuticals and biotechnology practice for nearly a decade, driving growth and market penetration across both established and emerging companies. While heading up the firm�s advanced data science track, he and 250 data scientists helped integrate AI-enabled solutions across many business areas. He�s recently turned his attention to expanding the firm�s healthcare expertise to help clients establish deeper relationships and more effective partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem to improve health outcomes, emphasize a better patient experience and address health disparities.

�Pratap is stepping into this role during an exciting period of growth and change at ZS,� said Wright, who oversaw the company�s 30% growth in 2020. �We�re increasingly being called in by the companies we partner with to identify, advise on and adapt to the next big shifts in their respective industries. I�m confident that under Pratap�s counsel, the best days at ZS are ahead of us.�

�Chris has done a tremendous job during his tenure as CEO, and I�ll be leaning on his knowledge and guidance in the months and years ahead,� Khedkar said. �His greatest legacy is preserving the culture that our founders worked so hard to create. His emphasis on continually investing in our people has �kept the magic alive,� as he�s been known to say.�

Khedkar will oversee the global acceleration and scaling of ZS�s portfolio of life sciences and healthcare work. He plans to ramp up investments in the firm�s technology, digital analytics and software capabilities across healthcare and in other industries. To continue working alongside clients and staying connected to market trends, Khedkar is making a critical adjustment to the leadership operating model by appointing 20-year ZS veteran Sandra Forero to the firm�s newly created chief operating officer role.

Forero has held various leadership positions at ZS, including client service lead for two major biopharma clients, head of the firm�s integrated analytics practice, founding chair of the people and culture team, chair of the inclusion and diversity council and elected member of ZS�s shareholder�s council since 2015.

�I welcome Sandra to this role and look forward to partnering with her. She�s a trusted and respected leader at ZS who is incredibly passionate about driving client impact, ensuring the growth and success of our people and stewarding our culture,� Khedkar said. �Our commitment to excellence and solving complex problems is critical for both personal and firm growth and has made ZS what it is today. And, we�re strongly positioned to continue doing more of what ZS does best: helping companies and their customers thrive.�

�At ZS, we work together to leverage our deep expertise in industry and functional areas, analytics and technology to cultivate a culture of innovation and collaboration for client benefit,� said Jaideep Bajaj, chairman of the board at ZS. He held the position of CEO from 2003 to 2012. �I�m excited about ZS�s next era with Pratap leading a strong team that�s focused on creating value for our clients.�

Khedkar holds a Ph.D. in artificial intelligence from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Technology degree in computer science from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.

About ZS

ZS is a professional services firm that works side by side with companies to help develop and deliver products that drive customer value and company results. We leverage our deep industry expertise, leading-edge analytics, technology and strategy to create solutions that work in the real world. With more than 37 years of experience and 10,000-plus ZSers in 28 offices worldwide, we�re passionately committed to helping companies and their customers thrive. To learn more, visit www.zs.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Quintin Maidment

The Bliss Group

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