Sean Hughes began his career in 1994, after graduating with a Master’s in Exercise Science from Queens University. He moved to Barbados where he created the first Cardiac Disease Prevention and Rehabilitation Program in the Eastern Caribbean. He successfully developed and marketed the program, enabling it to become self-sustaining within two years. Over four years he managed the facility and trained the staff, before moving on to join Merck at a global level. Within the company, Sean held several positions. From his start as a Professional Representative for the Caribbean, Sean was quickly promoted to Regional Marketing Director, then National Sales Director, all of which led him to his current role in operations and business development for ILÚM Health Solutions, an independent subsidiary of Merck HSS.
In addition to his career, Sean and his wife established an “allocated” wine distribution company in Barbados. This (very fun) venture achieved a 50 percent per year growth for the first two years of operation and operated for five years before the family was relocated to the United States. In addition to the financial success of the business, the couple’s proudest accomplishment was receiving the Wine Spectator Award of excellence for several of their wine lists. Presently Sean sits on the Board of Director’s for his son’s company, Blackshore, a Talent Management company for YouTube creators.
Sean is a passionate, hockey-playing Canadian, and a father of four awesome children, two girls, two boys. He has been married for 27 years to his native Barbadian (Bajan) wife.