There is a global epidemic in regards to physical inactivity, and we see an opportunity to make the world a healthier place through exercise. As we tackle this challenge, we will rely on and benefit from Louise and Jens’ experience, guidance, and passion.
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) May 24, 2017
Joining immediately are Turner Broadcasting System Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Louise Sams, and Jens Carsten Dahl, Novo Nordisk Vice President and Executive Assistant to the President and CEO.
“I am honored to join Phil Southerland and Jens Dahl on the board of Team Novo Nordisk,” said Ms. Sams. “I look forward to helping Team Novo Nordisk grow in its efforts to support and highlight the athletic endeavors of people affected by type 1 diabetes.”
Ms. Sams was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and educated at Princeton University and the University of Virginia Law School. She began her career as an attorney at New York law firm White & Case and left to becoming in-house counsel for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a global media company. In 2000, Ms. Sams was named Turner’s General Counsel, and in capacity, she currently oversees 110 attorneys with responsibility for all legal matters for the company, including business acquisitions, litigation, intellectual property, CNN investigative reports and digital media. From 2003 to 2012, in addition to being General Counsel of Turner, Ms. Sams was also president of TBS International with oversight responsibility for creation, production, and distribution of all Turner entertainment and news networks aired outside North America.
Ms. Sams serves on the boards of a number of organizations, including Princeton University, Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, Atlanta’s Woodruff Arts Center and Meals on Wheels Atlanta. She received the Inspiration Award from the Atlanta Chapter of Women in Cable Telecommunications and was named by Business to Business magazine among the most influential businesswomen in Atlanta. National Law Journal named her among the 50 most influential women lawyers in America.
Mr. Dahl holds an MBA from the Copenhagen Business School and began his extensive career with the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S over 17 years ago. Since 2004, Mr. Dahl has successfully held a number of leadership positions within the company. Recently Mr. Dahl relocated from Princeton, US back to Denmark, and now serves as Vice President and Executive Assistant to Novo Nordisk’s President and CEO, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen.
“We are honored that Louise and Jens are joining the TT1 Holdings/Team Novo Nordisk board. Ms. Sams is a top corporate attorney and a truly dynamic leader both professionally and within the community. Mr. Dahl has led global diabetes innovation and strategy for nearly two decades and is a veteran member of the Team Novo Nordisk family,” said Team Novo Nordisk cofounder and CEO Phil Southerland. “Everyone in the world is at risk for diabetes. It is an epidemic and people are dying. As recognized leaders at their respective organizations, Ms. Sams and Mr. Dahl bring unmatched business experience and a lifelong commitment to professional management that will help our organization grow so that we can reach more people and motivate them to get out and exercise. Our shared goal is to change the health of the world.”
In addition to Team Novo Nordisk, TT1 Holdings is associated with the Team Type 1 Foundation, a nonprofit organization pursuing a global mission of education, empowerment and equal access to medicine for everyone affected by diabetes. The Team Type 1 Foundation provides college scholarships to athletes with type 1 diabetes. Since 2014, 165 scholarships totaling $256,000 were awarded to college athletes who compete in an NCAA or NAIA sport with type 1 diabetes. These recipients maintain a 3.0 or better GPA and serve as ambassadors to raise awareness about diabetes management and to inspire people with diabetes to better manage their disease.
“On a daily basis, 1.2 billion people are directly impacted by diabetes. Team Novo Nordisk serves as a global source of hope for anyone affected by diabetes and as a motivating factor for everyone to get out and exercise,” said Southerland. “There is a global epidemic in regards to physical inactivity, and we see a greater opportunity to make the world a healthier place through exercise and we want to use sport as that platform. As we tackle this challenge, we will rely on and benefit from Louise and Jens’ experience, guidance, and passion.”
Team Novo Nordisk co-founder and CEO Phil Southerland also serves as founder and president of the Team Type 1 Foundation. Southerland was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just seven months and doctors told his mother he was unlikely to live past the age of 25. Now 35, Southerland is a diabetes ambassador and global leader focused on empowering people throughout the world to change the face of diabetes on a global scale.
About Team Novo Nordisk
Team Novo Nordisk is a global all-diabetes sports team of cyclists, triathletes and runners, spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes UCI Professional Continental cycling team. In 2012, Phil Southerland, co-founder and CEO of the team, and global healthcare company Novo Nordisk, came together to create Team Novo Nordisk, based on a shared vision to inspire, educate and empower people around the world affected by diabetes. For more information, go to http://www.teamnovonordisk.com.