Carrie Cox, named six times by Fortune magazine as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, journeyed from retail pharmacist to research pharmacist and then over 30 years climbed the corporate ladder to become a leader in the global biopharmaceutical industry. In her newest role, Cox, 62, was recently named chairman of the board of Oragon, a Merck & Co. spinoff targeted for mid-2021 whose goal is “to become the world’s leader in women’s health,” she says.

Pharmacy school enrollment is now about 60 percent female, but in her early years, “I was very often the only woman in the senior ranks,” Cox says. “But I was given a lot of opportunities and wonderful mentors and never perceived a glass ceiling. The industry [now] is quite good for women, and there’s clearly an opportunity to do well.”

Meanwhile, Cox’s passion for architecture has resulted in her purchasing and restoring several midcentury modern homes in Sarasota’s architecturally rich Lido Shores. One of them, at 1080 Westway Drive, was granted historic designation by the City of Sarasota earlier this year. She also serves on the board of the Sarasota Architectural Foundation. “Our goal is to draw attention to and help save a few of the early homes in Lido Shores,” she says.  “Another fun part of the Sarasota heritage.”