Deneen M. Fumich stands as a beacon of principled leadership in the complex and highly regulated world of pharmaceuticals and healthcare compliance. With a professional journey spanning over three decades, Deneen has carved out a legacy defined not just by regulatory acumen and operational efficiency but by an unwavering dedication to doing what is right. Her professional motto—“Honesty and Integrity”—has not only guided her decisions but also inspired the countless teams and stakeholders she has led through her expansive career. From pharmacy counters to corporate boardrooms, Deneen’s journey has been one of transformational impact, tireless advocacy, and visionary execution.
Deneen began her career with a firm foundation in science and patient care, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology from West Virginia Northern Community College. Her early exposure to healthcare operations equipped her with a deep understanding of both clinical and regulatory frameworks. She expanded her scope by attaining a Bachelor of Science from the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, where she served as President and Treasurer of Lambda Kappa Sigma and earned accolades for academic excellence, including National Honor Society and Who’s Who listings.
Her professional ascent took shape at Rite Aid Pharmacy, where she served as Pharmacist in Charge for over a decade. During this time, she managed high-volume prescription operations while ensuring rigorous compliance with DEA and state pharmacy regulations. These formative years built Deneen’s skills in leadership, compliance, and inventory management, laying the groundwork for her future roles in large-scale pharmaceutical distribution and policy development.
In 2005, Deneen joined Mylan Pharmaceuticals (later Viatris), where she would spend over 16 years in a variety of critical leadership roles, ultimately becoming the Senior Manager of Distribution Compliance. Here, she spearheaded the oversight of more than 400 licenses across multiple business models, including manufacturers, repackagers, wholesalers, 3PLs, and virtual companies. Her strategic coordination with Boards of Pharmacy and state agencies ensured seamless operations in an environment governed by complex and evolving regulations.
Deneen’s impact at Mylan was profound. She developed and led comprehensive state monitoring programs, built internal infrastructures for compliance tracking, and was instrumental in shaping the company’s Drug Take Back program. As a board member of Med-Project and a consistent contributor to PPSWG’s Communications, Industry Relations and Policy (CIRP) Committee, she influenced national dialogues on medication disposal, compliance costs, and public safety. Her voice became essential in both company strategy and public health policy development.
Her work didn’t stop with compliance management. Deneen was pivotal in launching and implementing Suspicious Order Monitoring (SOM) programs that proactively safeguarded controlled substance distribution. She authored and refined standard operating procedures that set internal benchmarks for regulatory excellence, collaborated with legal departments to navigate state opioid reporting and taxation, and served as a key contact during DEA inspections and investigations. Her expertise in integrating acquired companies and managing site closures underscored her exceptional project management capabilities.
In 2022, Deneen embraced a new challenge at LighthouseAI, a Pharma Solutions company, where she assumed the role of Director of Strategic Affairs, later promoted to Vice President of Intelligence. In this capacity, she led both Regulatory and Intelligence Research Teams, overseeing legislative and regulatory tracking programs that kept clients and internal operations aligned with national standards. Her work with StateScape and Jira board analytics enabled the creation of centralized agency notifications, client assessment frameworks, and efficient document tracking systems—demonstrating her mastery of regulatory data and digital infrastructure.
Even in semi-retirement, Deneen remained committed to influencing the pharmaceutical space. She contributed to industry articles, including Lighthouse AI publications on regulatory changes, and continued to lend her voice to strategic partnerships and advisory groups such as NABP, NASCSA, and ASPL. Her presentations to internal and external stakeholders—ranging from Inmar to the Leavitt Partners—reflected her ability to communicate complex policy insights with clarity and authority.
Beyond her impressive resume, what truly sets Deneen apart is her deep-seated passion for public service and healthcare advocacy. She believes in a world where regulatory compliance isn’t merely a requirement but a responsibility—one that protects patients, strengthens institutions, and upholds public trust. Her values-driven approach has earned her the respect of peers and regulators alike, and her consistent leadership has left a lasting mark on every organization she has touched.
Personally, Deneen is a passionate gardener, motorcycle enthusiast, traveler, and lifelong learner. These interests mirror the curiosity, tenacity, and balance she brings to her professional life. Though retired from active duty, she continues to seek meaningful board engagements where she can apply her skills to support ethical governance, strategic growth, and regulatory excellence.
Character:
Deneen exemplifies integrity and dependability, consistently grounding her leadership in ethical decision-making and accountability. Her career reflects a commitment to doing what is right—even in the face of complex regulatory pressures—earning her the trust of colleagues, regulators, and stakeholders.
Knowledge:
With over three decades in pharmaceutical compliance and supply chain management, Deneen brings unmatched expertise in navigating federal and state regulatory landscapes. Her mastery of licensing, controlled substance oversight, and policy development has positioned her as a respected authority in the healthcare sector.
Strategic:
Deneen anticipates regulatory and operational challenges with foresight, creating frameworks that align legal obligations with business objectives. She has successfully led multi-state licensing operations, company integrations, and industry partnerships with a focus on sustainability and compliance efficiency.
Communication:
A persuasive communicator, Deneen conveys complex compliance requirements with clarity to diverse audiences, from executive teams to public regulators. Her presentations and written policies consistently foster alignment, understanding, and forward momentum across organizational levels.
