
- 1. Atul GawandeCEO, Amazon/Berkshire Hathaway/JP Morgan Chase health organization1. Atul GawandeCEO, Amazon/Berkshire Hathaway/JP Morgan Chase health organization
By Dr. David Shaywitz, Senior partner, Takeda Ventures
When Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JP Morgan selected Harvard surgeon, health policy expert, and The New Yorker writer Atul Gawande to lead their nonprofit effort to reimagine care delivery for their U.S. employees, the healthcare community erupted in delight.
Gawande is a multiscale thinker focused on implementation, one who is instinctively attuned to the patient experience. Consequently, he brings an “impressive ability to see through the complexity that surrounds our healthcare system and create narratives in simple and relatable ways people can understand,” according to his Harvard colleague Dr. Ashish Jha.
- 2. Sumbul DesaiVP, health, Apple2. Sumbul DesaiVP, health, Apple
By Dr. Robert Harrington, Arthur L. Bloomfield Professor of Medicine Chair, Department of Medicine, Stanford University
Before she became a physician, Sumbul Desai worked in strategy for Disney until a family health event initiated a change in her career direction. After medical school, she trained in internal medicine and joined the Stanford Medicine faculty as a hospital medicine specialist, but she continued to apply her business acumen to solving problems in the healthcare delivery system as the Department of Medicine’s vice chair of strategy and innovation and as associate chief medical officer responsible for digital health in Stanford Health Care.
She led the creation of ClickWell, a “bricks and clicks” primary care clinic, and cofounded Stanford’s Center for Digital Health. At Apple since 2017, she and her team collaborate closely with engineering on a variety of health initiatives and features, including the Apple Heart Study.
- 3. Scarlet ShoreProduct manager and platform lead, Project Baseline, Verily3. Scarlet ShoreProduct manager and platform lead, Project Baseline, Verily
Scarlet Shore has the challenging role of leading Verily’s Project Baseline effort, an ambitious attempt to develop a “baseline” of good health using the data of 10,000 volunteers. Verily is an independent subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet. It was formerly a division of Google X until August 2015.
Around that time, Shore talked Verily’s current CEO Andy Conrad into giving her an internship. Project Baseline launched in 2017 and Shore has been involved from the beginning, evolving it into something that could ultimately reshape health.
- 4. T.J. ParkerCEO and cofounder, PillPack4. T.J. ParkerCEO and cofounder, PillPack
In some ways, T.J. Parker, 32, is like many of his fellow millennials. Before settling on a clear career trajectory, he flirted with working in various industries. However, unlike most of his peers, Parker has sold a company to Amazon — for a reported 10 figures. The venture that so enamored Jeff Bezos is the online pharmacy PillPack, which Parker cofounded with Elliott Cohen in 2013.
PillPack launched with an initial investment of just $120,000, but grew at an explosive clip; less than a year later, it had raised an additional $4 million. Investors couldn’t get enough of the model — the company would go on to raise $118 million in total — which delivers pre-sorted, pre-packaged, and pre-labeled doses of medication directly to individuals’ homes.
- 5. Norman de GreveSVP and CMO, CVS Health5. Norman de GreveSVP and CMO, CVS Health
By Kevin Hourican, EVP, pharmacy services, CVS
Norman de Greve is an ideal business partner. He has led his team in growing our retail business profitably through strategic and compelling marketing strategies that resonate with consumers.
Norm deeply understands our customers and consistently challenges our retail leadership team to evolve our service, as well as the services we offer them. He then leads his team in building meaningful campaigns that articulate these offerings and our key messages clearly to customers.
- 6. Marc SpeichertGlobal chief digital officer, GSK Consumer Healthcare6. Marc SpeichertGlobal chief digital officer, GSK Consumer Healthcare
By Debra Bass, Global chief marketing officer and U.S. president, Nuvo Group
Marc Speichert is the archetype of a modern business leader: He has the global mindset, modern marketing skills, and inspirational leadership.
I’ll start by noting he is a truly global leader. He was born in Switzerland, grew up in France, lived in Mexico, Greece, and New York, and now resides in London. He continues to travel around the world, as he is curious and committed to expanding his business vision by reflecting local market understanding and ensuring global alignment.
- 7. Ray KerinsSVP and head of comms, government relations and policy, Bayer7. Ray KerinsSVP and head of comms, government relations and policy, Bayer
By David Hirschmann, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center
When Ray Kerins speaks, you can feel his understanding and passion around the value of innovation. That kind of positive leadership fills the room and inspires others to follow. He listens and acts. It’s what makes him such a clear communicator and an effective leader.
As Bayer and Monsanto merged, Ray did an amazing job explaining the benefits of the merger to all the stakeholders — from farmers to policymakers. He drove a highly effective, creative, integrated communications campaign that ultimately helped pave the way for success.
- 8. Michael SneedEVP, global corporate affairs, and CCO, J&J8. Michael SneedEVP, global corporate affairs, and CCO, J&J
J&J’s global marketing, communication, design, and philanthropy functions have been led by Michael Sneed since January 2012. After joining the manufacturing giant in 1983 as a marketing assistant, he has been promoted to roles with increasing responsibility including being named global president, personal products company, and group chairman.
He also sits on the management committee. “His leadership, mentorship, and influence” is “felt in much of what J&J has said and done for more than 30 years,” says J&J global chief marketing officer Alison Lewis.
- 9. Suzanne SawyerVP and CMO, Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System9. Suzanne SawyerVP and CMO, Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System
If today’s chief marketing officer hardly resembles the one of years past, then Penn Medicine’s Suzanne Sawyer best exemplifies how significantly the role has modernized. Airwaves and roadsides are rife with hospital ad campaigns, but CMOs can no longer concern themselves solely with building brand awareness. They must be successful in building revenue, too.
In the case of nonprofit Penn Med, that means sticking to its roots in translational medicine — the institution developed and helped commercialize Novartis’ new immunotherapy Kymriah — and, the health system has invested heavily to build out a marketing data mart that utilizes 30 different martech tools to capture the patient journey.
- 10. Sean SlovenskiSVP, president of health and wellness, Wal-Mart10. Sean SlovenskiSVP, president of health and wellness, Wal-Mart
Sean Slovenski is a healthcare and wellness industry innovator with a 24-year track record of success. He joined Wal-Mart this summer, as the company looks to put more focus on its health and wellness business. Earlier in his career, Slovenski spent three years at Humana, rising to become VP of innovation.
Humana and Wal-Mart work together on prescription drug plans for individuals in the Medicare program. But when Slovenski joined Wal-Mart, it prompted speculation the company would form a closer partnership with his former employer. However, analysts said an August announcement about closer cooperation between Wal-Mart and Anthem on providing consumers OTC medications makes other healthcare mergers less likely.
- 11. Chris HoltGlobal healthcare leader, Amazon11. Chris HoltGlobal healthcare leader, Amazon
If healthcare is the most intransigent industry today, it makes sense it’d take one of the biggest disruptors, Amazon, to change it. Despite its flashier initiatives — forming a healthcare company with Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan Chase, as well as acquiring online pharmacy PillPack — Amazon had already been angling for a healthcare push, positioning itself as a major distributor for medical suppliers and customers.
Chris Holt, the leader of global healthcare, said he believes a customer-focused approach is the key to success. Relying on easy-to-use tools and an efficient supply chain, Holt compares Amazon Business’ healthcare unit to a “marketplace.” He wants to change the setup of hospital purchasing, which is conducted through contracts with distributors and manufacturers, per The Wall Street Journal.
- 12. Susan IsenbergGlobal sector chair, health, Edelman12. Susan IsenbergGlobal sector chair, health, Edelman
By Richard Edelman, President and CEO, Edelman
Susan has been at Edelman for almost as long as I have. A 25-year veteran of the firm, Susan has played a huge role in growing and shaping our more than 600 person health sector to be one of the largest and best in the industry.
What stands out most to me about Susan has always been her drive and tenacity. She fearlessly leads from the front in all situations. Susan is at her most motivational when she is rolling up her sleeves and working side by side with teams and clients in tackling challenges and providing counsel.
- 13. Rich LevyChief creative officer, FCB Health13. Rich LevyChief creative officer, FCB Health
By Dana Maiman, President and CEO, FCB Health Network
Having Rich as a partner has been incredible for the past nine years. It has enabled the advance beyond what any of us thought possible.
Rich lies at the intersection of creativity and innovation. It is this approach that has made him so valuable, not just to FCB Health around the world, but also as a tremendous creative resource for the non-healthcare global FCB offices as well.
- 14. Larry MickelbergMD, life sciences agency lead, Deloitte Digital14. Larry MickelbergMD, life sciences agency lead, Deloitte Digital
By Nancy Powell, Director, digital health, Celgene
I’ve had the opportunity to learn and partner as a client with Larry over the years while he held leadership roles, first at Digitas Health, then at Havas, and now in his most recent role at Deloitte Digital.
Larry’s curiosity, pioneering mindset, and uncanny knack for charting where trends are going has led to igniting actionable insight.
- 15. Leerom SegalCofounder and CEO, Klick Health15. Leerom SegalCofounder and CEO, Klick Health
By Dr. Daniel Kraft, Faculty chair for medicine, Singularity University, and founder and chair, Exponential Medicine
Leerom Segal is the definition of a health influencer. He listens and is collaborative and inclusive. He’s also thoughtful, energetic, and inspiring, and able to bring out the best in the diverse team around him. In the process, he expands and amplifies his positive circle of influence.
I’ve watched Leerom use his creative mind and tremendous passion for cross-disciplinary learning to brilliantly leverage the convergence of technologies. In doing so, he brings surprise and curates delight — and even humor — around life sciences comms, content, and personalities.
- 16. Laura SchoenChair, Latin America and president, global healthcare practice, Weber Shandwick16. Laura SchoenChair, Latin America and president, global healthcare practice, Weber Shandwick
By Gail Heimann, president, Weber Shandwick
When asked about her best advice, Laura said, “Choose to do something you love with purpose and strive to make a difference.” Throughout her expansive 18-year career at Weber Shandwick, Laura has done just that — made a difference in our clients’ businesses and patient lives by driving transformational healthcare work.
Laura has led the growth of Weber Shandwick’s global healthcare practice since joining the firm in 2000, providing strategic counsel and insights to some of the most visible multinational healthcare-related brands in the world.
- 17. Jenny StreetsHead of industry, health, Facebook17. Jenny StreetsHead of industry, health, Facebook
Jenny Streets has spent 15 years transforming healthcare. For the past year, she has been leading efforts for Facebook’s health industry vertical in the U.S. The group’s mission is to connect people to the info or services they need to improve lives and create better health outcomes. Streets leads partnerships, go-to-market strategy, planning, and comms, managing teams across New York, Washington, DC, and Menlo Park, California.
Under her leadership, Facebook and Instagram have continued to evolve into the primary way pharma marketers are reaching patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Streets and her team are focused on continuing to partner with top health and pharma companies to improve patient outcomes by empowering the industry to challenge the way it thinks about DTC advertising, as well as educating pharma marketers and creatives on the power of mobile to deliver impactful messages.
- 18. Jill DeSimoneSVP, U.S. oncology, Merck18. Jill DeSimoneSVP, U.S. oncology, Merck
By Frank Clyburn, president, global oncology business unit, Merck
Making a difference in the lives of individuals battling cancer is the mission that drives Jill DeSimone. A pharma industry veteran, Jill is an outstanding leader who walks the talk by demonstrating what it means to put the patient at the center of everything we do and inspires those around her with a prodigious work ethic and commitment to high standards.
As the leader of the fastest-growing business line at Merck, Jill manages the largest therapeutic area P&L across the enterprise. She is a deep expert in commercial immuno-oncology.
- 19. Ray JordanSVP, corporate affairs, Amgen19. Ray JordanSVP, corporate affairs, Amgen
By Bill Price, VP and chief comms officer, Zoetis
Over the course of his career, Ray has held leadership positions at Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer — companies where influencing the healthcare landscape is expected and the bar is set high. Those big stages and the public scrutiny that comes with them have never been too big for Ray, and it is why he has again attained this type of recognition.
He has handled a range of complex and intense PR issues that would cause most to wither — and has done it with skill, purpose, and sound judgment.
- 20. Laura SchumacherEVP, external affairs, general counsel, and corporate secretary, AbbVie20. Laura SchumacherEVP, external affairs, general counsel, and corporate secretary, AbbVie
By Rick Gonzalez, chairman of the board and CEO, AbbVie
Laura embodies the drive and passion that have made AbbVie one of the world’s most innovative biopharma companies.
Laura and I have worked together for many years in a variety of roles, and now she leads AbbVie’s external-facing functions of comms, government affairs, health economics and outcomes research, and legal.
- 21. Lynelle HochVP, immuno-oncology marketing, Bristol-Myers Squibb21. Lynelle HochVP, immuno-oncology marketing, Bristol-Myers Squibb
By Teresa Bitetti, SVP, worldwide oncology commercialization, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Each day, our employees around the world work together for patients. It drives everything we do — and Lynelle Hoch’s mission for transforming cancer care to improve and extend the lives of cancer patients inspires all of us at Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Lynelle currently leads the marketing organization for the immuno-oncology solid tumor portfolio at BMS. In a dynamic, fiercely competitive marketplace, Lynelle leads a team that has continued to beat internal and external expectations.
- 22. Ryan OlohanMD, healthcare, Google22. Ryan OlohanMD, healthcare, Google
It’s been almost 12 years since Ryan Olohan signed on at Google, and during his tenure the company has been making a mark in healthcare just as it has done in so many other fields. The Google Ventures arm is working on cutting the cost of healthcare and addressing systemic problems.
Olohan spent almost eight years there, largely in CPG, before becoming healthcare industry director in 2013 and then moving to managing director of healthcare last October.
- 23. Tracy KeimVP, consumer marketing and brand, 23andme23. Tracy KeimVP, consumer marketing and brand, 23andme
23andMe’s groundbreaking technology lends itself to storytelling, because every person has their own story.
But as with its easy-to-use product, its stories need expertise, ingenuity, and an understanding of its machinations. To tell that story is marketing and brand lead Tracy Keim, who’s attacked the problem from every angle.
- 24. Alexandra von PlatoCEO, Publicis Health24. Alexandra von PlatoCEO, Publicis Health
Earlier this year, Alexandra von Plato was named Publicis Health’s first female CEO. At the Publicis Groupe division, she leads a team with expertise in advertising and branding, strategic planning, digital media and tech, science, and medicine — all focused on connecting healthcare brands with the people who need them.
As CEO, von Plato leads all of Publicis Health’s businesses worldwide. Previously, she was global group president for Publicis Health’s worldwide comms and media agencies. Von Plato’s promotion comes amid a larger transformation for Publicis Groupe, which has been breaking down its disciplines into four “solutions hubs.” Last year, the network rebranded from Publicis Healthcare Communications Group to Publicis Health.
- 25. Jeffrey ErbPresident, Healix25. Jeffrey ErbPresident, Healix
As president of IPG media firm Healix, Jeffrey Erb understands how the pharma advertising world is changing and what opportunities that presents.
“What I find exciting about the industry is that it’s going through a significant amount of change,” he said in August.“What we do is really push people out of their comfort zone. We’re constantly looking at things differently and figuring out ways to evolve with the way the world is evolving and that is where you find your agency’s differentiation.”
- 26. Jim WeissFounder and CEO, W2O26. Jim WeissFounder and CEO, W2O
By Kim Hunter, founder, president, and CEO, Lagrant Communications
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jim on both the agency side and being a board member of The Lagrant Foundation. Jim is truly one of the most thoughtful, considerate, dynamic, fearless, thought-provoking, strategic, creative, and innovative leaders in the industry. Jim walks the walk and talks the talk.
He and W2O have been committed to changing the landscape of diversity and inclusion at his agency and the industry as a whole. It was Jim’s vision to develop the first healthcare fellowship for undergraduate and graduate ethnic minority students who are majoring in advertising, marketing, and PR.
- 27. Renee MellasCo-MD, Area 2327. Renee MellasCo-MD, Area 23
By Tim Hawkey, Co-MD, Area 23
Area 23 may be known for its outstanding creative product, but this isn’t solely thanks to our creative department. My business partner Renée Mellas has set a clear expectation across the agency that no matter what your business card says, we are all here to deliver the most creative, bold, and groundbreaking marketing and advertising in the world. And she doesn’t want us all doing just the best pharma work, she wants us doing the best work.
So, I’m sorry to disappoint the conspiracy theorists who think our secret is an oversized, gelatinous crab in our studio that excretes perfectly formed, world-class creative campaigns.
- 28. Wendy LundCEO, GCI Health28. Wendy LundCEO, GCI Health
By Renee Wilson, former PR Council president, comms adviser
It is a real honor to write about Wendy Lund as she receives this recognition. Sure, she is an excellent health industry comms practitioner who helps clients solve big challenges on a daily basis. However, when I think about Wendy, three things come to mind: incredible passion for the business; unwavering tenacity to get the right things done; and authentic, early day advocacy for women and moms in the workplace.
I was lucky enough to join MSL when Wendy ran the New York office years ago. She had a palpable business sensibility, but conveyed empathy and compassion as a modern-day leader should. She still does. And when it comes to advocating for her teams, you want her on your side. Talent that works for Wendy rarely strays.
- 29. Debbie RennerCEO, SSCG Media29. Debbie RennerCEO, SSCG Media
On its 10th anniversary, SSCG Media has proven itself a survivor. At the time of its founding, many medical agencies were discontinuing their media departments. But under the leadership of CEO Debbie Renner, the media planning and buying company not only endured, it thrived.
In 2009, SSCG Media doubled its headcount. Today, SSCG Media prides itself on being one of the largest agencies of its kind that focuses exclusively on healthcare. It has a network of five separate media agencies, and it manages more than 150 pharmaceutical and medical device brands.
- 30. Jillian JanaczekEVP, MD, and NY market leader, Burson Cohn & Wolfe30. Jillian JanaczekEVP, MD, and NY market leader, Burson Cohn & Wolfe
By Donna Imperato, global CEO, Burson Cohn & Wolfe
Recognizing Jillian and writing about her leadership in our organization, as well as her influence among clients and the industry, feels long overdue. It is also an honor. I’ve known Jillian for 21 years, since she joined our agency as a senior account executive and quickly demonstrated her leadership skills and fierce loyalty to her colleagues, teams, and clients.
Jillian is in a league of her own. Her experience stretches across every disease category. She has launched dozens of products and managed FDA milestones as well as Rx to OTC switches. She has also worked across diagnostics, biotech, healthcare systems, and other areas critical to the business.
- 31. Stephen UblPresident and CEO, PhRMA31. Stephen UblPresident and CEO, PhRMA
By Joaquin Duato, vice chairman of the executive committee, Johnson & Johnson
The rate of recent medical breakthroughs has been breathtaking, making this an exciting and pivotal time for biopharma.
There is no person better to lead and represent the companies in this industry than Steve Ubl. I experienced Steve’s leadership up close serving as PhRMA’s chairman last year. He is adept at navigating the politics, mastering the policy, and understanding the needs of patients and stakeholders across the healthcare system. And he does all of that with a demeanor that encourages collaboration.
- 32. Shwen GweeGM, head of open innovation, and cofounder, Novartis Biome32. Shwen GweeGM, head of open innovation, and cofounder, Novartis Biome
By Dr. Jake LaPorte, global head of digital development, Novartis
MM&M wanted me to inform its readers it isn’t a printing error that has led to Shwen Gwee being named to this list three years in a row. He is really that dynamic and innovative.
When I first met Shwen, two things were clear. First, his passion, creative thinking, and ability to drive change are incredible. And second, I knew I had to work with him. After months of recruiting — and potentially begging — him, I am fortunate he came to work with me at Novartis.
- 33. Don NathanChief of staff to CEO, UnitedHealth Group33. Don NathanChief of staff to CEO, UnitedHealth Group
Creating good from bad might be the motto for Don Nathan, who until just last month was SVP and chief comms officer at UnitedHealth Group.
In 2006, Nathan was working at strategic comms firm Robinson Lerer & Montgomery, which was representing UnitedHealth. The company was the focus of a Wall Street Journal story about then-CEO William McGuire backdating stock options. A year later, McGuire left and the company hired a new CEO, who asked Nathan to join the firm, eventually making him its first CCO.
- 34. Sally SusmanEVP, corporate affairs, Pfizer34. Sally SusmanEVP, corporate affairs, Pfizer
By Kathy Calvin, president and CEO, United Nations Foundation
I am so honored to reflect on how my friend Sally Susman embodies the highest qualities of an influencer. A visit to her office is a tour through history — the pictures tell the story of her incredible network and formative experiences.
Sally is a leader who combines political savvy, personal integrity, and a commitment to meaningful impact.
- 35. Keri McDonoughSenior team lead, Biosector235. Keri McDonoughSenior team lead, Biosector2
Keri McDonough’s leadership of the Biosector 2 team behind Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health, created alongside Sunovion and several advocacy groups, cemented her place as one of the industry’s influential voices.
Centered around a photography collection and Beyond Silence, a documentary, Be Vocal showcased the stories of thriving individuals with mental health conditions. Specifically, it gave them a platform to communicate the importance of speaking up — about their own conditions and within the context of their communities.
- 36. Reid ConnollyCEO and founder, Evoke36. Reid ConnollyCEO and founder, Evoke
By Marci Piasecki, group managing director, North America, Evoke
Inspired — that’s the word I associate with Reid Connolly. About 12 years ago, Reid was inspired to create a digital-first agency with the simple yet powerful idea of making health a more engaging, accessible, and integrated part of people’s lives. Reid’s inspiration was contagious because, for years, I watched as the agency grew its offering and footprint to become a leader in the industry. In fact, it was Evoke’s continued dedication to the mantra “Health More Human” that inspired me to join the agency.
When you first meet Reid, his passion for the industry is undeniable. He has an impressive, deep knowledge of both the market and our clients’ business. This knowledge, combined with his drive never to accept the status quo, inspires our pursuit of new ways to provide value for our clients.
- 37. Scott YacovinoBrand director, Nicorette/NicoDerm, GlaxoSmithKline37. Scott YacovinoBrand director, Nicorette/NicoDerm, GlaxoSmithKline
Scott Yacovino has been at the forefront of some of GlaxoSmithKline brand Excedrin’s brandjacking efforts. When Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton faced off in the first of three presidential debates in late September 2016, there was a lot of chatter on social about the event causing headaches.
In response, Excedrin ran a Twitter campaign called #DebateHeadache. The brand also reached out to disgruntled sports fans. After a video of Mets fan Frank Fleming complaining about missing a game due to unreliable transportation went viral, the PR team at Excedrin provided Fleming two tickets and a private car to a Mets game against the Miami Marlins. Excedrin then tried to ease the headaches of devotees of the hapless Cleveland Browns.
- 38. Kevin GriffisVP, comms, Planned Parenthood38. Kevin GriffisVP, comms, Planned Parenthood
Kevin Griffis stepped into a tough job — and he did so at a time when Planned Parenthood found itself under fire as it never had before.
He has led comms for the embattled women’s health provider during the Trump era, which has included more than its share of existential threats — budget bills that threatened to slash the organization’s federal funding and failed attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act top among them.
- 39. Doug BurcinPresident, Ashfield Healthcare Communications39. Doug BurcinPresident, Ashfield Healthcare Communications
By Brendan McAtamney, CEO, UDG Healthcare
It is a privilege to be one of the first to congratulate Doug Burcin on this tremendous achievement. Doug’s infectious energy, passion, and drive are outstanding and he has very quickly become an integral part of the leadership team at UDG Healthcare and Ashfield Healthcare Communications.
Doug’s disruptive mindset, extensive experience, and exemplary leadership is transforming our organization’s competitiveness. Since arriving earlier this year, he has already reshaped our capabilities, operating model, and talent leadership.
- 40. Donna MurphyGlobal CEO, Havas Health & You40. Donna MurphyGlobal CEO, Havas Health & You
By Dave Marek, VP and GM, neuroscience, Amgen
Donna Murphy represents true customer service. As companies across our industry focus on achieving customer-centricity, Donna is a shining example of what it means to live with a continual focus to serve customers. For us, Donna has been an ongoing partner to understand and anticipate our needs, dedicate the resources that produce meaningful results, and share in our sense of responsibility.
Donna represents action. In a recent breakfast meeting, we discussed three opportunities to improve the effectiveness of our partnership. Before the check arrived, Donna had already put actions in place for each one.
- 41. Mary Ann BelliveauNational health and wellness director, Twitter41. Mary Ann BelliveauNational health and wellness director, Twitter
A quick read of Mary Ann Belliveau’s résumé reveals a career steeped in healthcare marketing and communications.
At Twitter, Belliveau must bring her 20 years to bear for the platform, as it leans into its advertising model and battles reputational headwinds.
- 42. John CahillGlobal CEO, McCann Health42. John CahillGlobal CEO, McCann Health
By Bill Kolb, global president, diversified agencies, McCann Worldgroup
I have a simple belief: Don’t just be on a client’s business, be in its business. There is no better example of this than John Cahill.
Under John’s leadership, our business has thrived. His passion, creativity, deep knowledge of the field, and devotion to global and public health have all contributed to our team’s success. It comes as no surprise John has earned a spot on this prestigious list for the third year in a row.
- 43. Paul GerrardVP, strategic comms, BlueCross BlueShield43. Paul GerrardVP, strategic comms, BlueCross BlueShield
Paul Gerrard has led comms at the largest health insurer in the U.S., BlueCross BlueShield, for more than seven years. In that role, he oversees marketing, communications, and corporate social responsibility functions for 36 independent, locally operated BlueCross and BlueShield companies that operate in all 50 states.
Gerrard joined the insurer in 2011, shortly after the Affordable Care Act was implemented. Since then, he has helped craft the organization’s messaging strategy and tactics in the wake of the ACA insurance system overhaul.
- 44. Mike HudnallGlobal head, WPP health practice44. Mike HudnallGlobal head, WPP health practice
If you set out to make a mark in healthcare marketing, would you start your own comms company specializing in healthcare, or try to get a job leading the healthcare efforts of a giant ad holding company? Mike Hudnall, global head of WPP’s new healthcare offering, has done both.
In 2006, Hudnall helped found Evoke Health, which started as a digital agency but grew to offering PR and influence services, digital strategy, web development, relationship marketing, media planning and buying, and other services.
- 45. Bill SiboldEVP and head, Sanofi Genzyme45. Bill SiboldEVP and head, Sanofi Genzyme
When Bill Sibold was promoted in July 2017 to head Sanofi Genzyme, Sanofi’s specialty care business unit, he became the first individual without ties to the “old,” pre-acquisition Genzyme to assume a top-shelf leadership position at the company. He was given a broad — and ambitious — charge: Essentially, to expand the unit’s purview from its traditional strength in conditions such as multiple sclerosis to include everything from multiple myeloma and squamous cell carcinoma treatments to drugs for Parkinson’s disease and asthma.
“We’re planning for growth,” he said at the time of his promotion, noting he would continue to emphasize the “two things that are core to Genzyme’s legacy — science and patients.”
- 46. Vic NobleVP/global, head of brand value, Shire46. Vic NobleVP/global, head of brand value, Shire
In 2016, Vic Noble oversaw Shire’s launch of Xiidra, a drug to treat dry eye that represented the company’s first foray into the eyecare market. At the time, she was head of ophthalmology marketing. The campaign Noble and her team developed avoided typical drug marketing tactics, adopting a modern feel and conversational tone.
“We didn’t want to be part of that DTC white noise landscape,” Noble said after its launch. “There are deliberately no smiling faces, no beaches, no puppies, none of that. We wanted to do something fun and positive. Our team and our approach overall was to be a challenger to the mindset.”
- 47. Ed WiseCEO, Omnicom Health Group47. Ed WiseCEO, Omnicom Health Group
Omnicom Health Group was a bold move to streamline the holding company’s more than a dozen agencies into a single entity. Under CEO Ed Wise’s leadership, that bet has seemingly paid off.
Last year saw Omnicom Health Group snap up Snow Companies and Elsevier’s pharma communications business in Japan. Snow bolstered Omnicom’s direct-to-patient comms and marketing initiatives, while the Elsevier business, now known as EMC K.K., strengthened its medical content business in Japan.
- 48. Anne O'RiordanSenior MD, Accenture Life Sciences48. Anne O'RiordanSenior MD, Accenture Life Sciences
By Sander van‘t Noordende, group chief executive of Accenture’s products operating group
Socioeconomic trends, healthcare consumerization, and new technology and science landscapes are presenting an exciting opportunity for the life sciences industry and the more than 7 billion people in the world it touches. Anne is leading the charge to turn industry change into opportunities for life sciences companies and the patients they serve.
As she puts it, “It is my passion and belief that through commitments to collaboration and disruption along nontraditional lines, we can improve the standard of care on a global scale.”
- 49. Anne de SchweinitzGlobal MD, healthcare, FleishmanHillard49. Anne de SchweinitzGlobal MD, healthcare, FleishmanHillard
Anne de Schweinitz has made this list before, which is no wonder. Since 2012, she’s been in charge of FleishmanHillard’s global healthcare practice. The job is a good fit, given her pedigree includes 15-plus years in healthcare communications.
But not all of her healthcare cred comes from her life within comms firms. She also spent time with University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.
- 50. Sonia ChoiVP, public affairs, Gilead50. Sonia ChoiVP, public affairs, Gilead
Sonia Choi’s five years at Gilead Sciences have been memorable ones.
During that time, the company has enjoyed an amazing run of success, courtesy of groundbreaking hepatitis C cures Sovaldi and Harvoni. During her tenure, Gilead has also launched Yescarta, its first CAR-T therapy, and grown its HIV portfolio with Biktarvy.