Mallinckrodt plc (OTCMKTS: MNKPF), an American-Irish global specialty pharmaceutical company, announced on Wednesday that it has named Karen Ling as its new director.

Ling has over 25 years of experience in human resources leadership and has served extensively in the pharmaceutical industry. She has held the position of executive vice president and chief human resources officer of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Allergan and held a number of leadership positions at Merck, resulting in her role as senior vice president, Human Resources for Merck's Global Human Health and Consumer Care businesses.

Previously Ling has served at Wyeth in various positions, heading human resources in the company's pharmaceutical division and subsequently at the corporate level.

Currently Ling serves on the boards of iRhythm Technologies and TherapeuticsMD, where she chairs the Compensation Committee and also on the advisory committee of Galderma and the boards of two non-profit organisations, ExpandED and the JED Foundation.

Ling has a JD from Boston University and a BA in Economics from Yale University.