Amazing Teams Making the Impossible, Possible

In January 2023, Dan Carroll joined Moderna, bringing years of experience in pharmaceutical marketing and a deep commitment to improving public health. As Global Franchise Leader for Vaccines, Dan oversees the global marketing strategies for Moderna’s vaccine programs. He also leads efforts to advance the Company’s work on vaccines for diseases like cytomegalovirus (CMV) and norovirus. “CMV is a leading cause of birth defects in the U.S.¹, yet so few people are aware of it,” Dan notes. Raising awareness and educating the public are key parts of his team’s work.

In addition to overseeing marketing efforts, Dan leads Moderna’s market research initiatives. His team plays a crucial role in gathering insights that shape how the company approaches new markets and positions its vaccines for long-term success. “We’re not just entering established markets and competing for share. In some cases, we’re building the market, shaping the conversation, and educating people about diseases they don’t even know much about,” he explains.

Capturing the Changemaker Spirit in Six Words

We recently asked Dan if he could create a six-word story about what being a changemaker meant to him. His story—Amazing teams making the impossible, possible—reflects his deep respect for his team and the work they do together.

Dan’s leadership is about more than managing operations; it’s about rallying a small but determined team around big, often difficult goals. His team works across areas like clinical development, market access, supply chain, and pricing to ensure that Moderna’s products are prepared for market success. "You have to be fluent in areas across the organization,” Dan explains. “It’s not enough to just understand what’s right for commercial; you need to see the bigger picture.”

Dan is quick to credit his team for driving success. "I’m constantly impressed by the dedication and talent of the people we have here," he says. “It’s their hard work, collaboration and willingness to take on significant challenges that allow the team to meet ambitious goals. We sit in meetings where we set goals that seem out of reach, but we find a way to do it," Dan shares.

A Future Built on Learning

For Dan, learning is central to how he leads and supports his team. “As a leader, I am learning as much as everyone else,” he says. At Moderna, where the fast pace can be both exciting and overwhelming, being open to new ideas and continuously improving is essential. Whether adapting strategies or addressing challenges as they arise, Dan believes that learning allows the team to grow stronger. "We’re taking the lessons we learn and using them to make us better tomorrow than we were yesterday," he adds.

Looking ahead, Dan is focused on helping Moderna continue to evolve into a world-class commercial organization. But he acknowledges that the journey isn't easy. "My hope for the future is that we continue to stay focused on programs that can have the biggest impact on public health," he says.

As Moderna continues its work, Dan remains dedicated to leading a team that’s ready to take on new challenges and find ways to make meaningful progress. Despite the challenges, his confidence in his team’s ability to “make the impossible possible” drives him to keep pushing forward, knowing that success comes from the collective efforts of the people around him.

Learn more about how you can join Dan and other changemakers at Moderna by visiting our careers page.

¹https://www.cdc.gov/covid/about/index.html