President, CEO, and Owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation
As president, CEO and owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Lou Kennedy runs a global company out of West Columbia, South Carolina. She and her husband helped establish the Kennedy Pharmacy Center Innovation Center in conjunction with the USC School of Pharmacy. She received South Carolina’s Order of the Palmetto in recognition of a lifetime of service. Kennedy said, “I turned 50 a couple of years back and since that big birthday milestone, I really have focused on what I could do, not only in job goals but also in the community and for other young ladies and children who may be don’t have as many opportunities that I had. I’m trying to make a difference. I’m way too involved in probably way too many things, but it’s good to give back and its especially good to give back in your hometown.”
About the Honoree
Lou Kennedy is President, CEO and Owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation – a certified woman-owned business. She has held a variety of marketing and operational roles and created the Nephron national sales force.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, Nephron earned an honorable mention award for Global Facility of the Year in 2017 from the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering. The award hailed Nephron innovation and automation.
Kennedy has been recognized in South Carolina and across the country for her achievements in business and leadership.
She won Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Regional Award in June, and she is a finalist for the national award that EY will present in November.
Kennedy also earned an Outstanding Leadership Award from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in 2019, at the NAM Institute STEP Ahead Women’s event.
Kennedy received South Carolina’s highest civilian honor – the Order of the Palmetto – from Governor Nikki Haley in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding service.
Kennedy is Chairman of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of
S.C. BIO. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations from the University of South Carolina.
About Women Vision SC
Women Vision SC is a program that focuses on issues affecting women throughout the state and the nation and a new generation of young people pursuing public service for their communities and the state at large. The program is produced and hosted by former SCETV president Linda O’Bryon.