Diana S. Ephlin is the vice president for human resources, global manufacturing, and quality, and Elanco Animal Health for Eli Lilly and Company. She earned her bachelor of science degree in computer and information technology from Purdue in 1983.
Purdue gave Ephlin everything she needed to succeed, including learning how to use and leverage computers in a business environment. She found the student-to-professor ratio in the College of Technology at Purdue to be advantageously low. She received very personal attention from her professors, which heightened her overall learning experience. As is the case today, exceptional teachers at Purdue kept the standards high and encouraged all students to excel and achieve.
Ephlin’s current position at Eli Lilly is not directly related to her Purdue field of study, but feels what she learned at Purdue is being put to use nonetheless. She works closely with senior manufacturing leaders helps them fully understand the current and long-range plans for the company. She supports 23 manufacturing sites in 12 countries, serving over 8,500 employees.
“Purdue taught me how to think rationally and logically, collaborate with others and to focus on the needs of the customer. Even though my career evolved away from technology, these are essential skills I continue to use today as a human resources leader,” she said.