Fierce Pharma Engage 2025: Full Schedule

Partnerships are inherently complex, demanding a balance of innovation, strategy, and adaptability to thrive. Mastering the forces driving pharma and biotech collaborations will define your role in shaping the future of deal-making.

Discover how emerging technologies and new therapeutic modalities are reshaping partnership strategies.
Understand the impact of regulatory changes, economic pressures, and market dynamics on collaboration models.
Learn how leaders are driving innovation and unlocking value through transformative partnerships.

Speakers

Thomas Hopkins

Head of ExploR&D, Eli Lily

Tuesday April 29, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Town & Country Resort

Business Development & Licensing

9:45am PDT

Partner Presentation

Tuesday April 29, 2025 9:45am - 10:15am PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
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Business Development & Licensing

10:15am PDT

Networking Break BD&L

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:15am - 10:45am PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:15am - 10:45am PDT
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Business Development & Licensing

10:45am PDT

Panel: Navigating Pharma’s Deal Drivers and Priorities

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Town & Country Resort

Explore the key factors influencing pharma’s deal-making decisions, from therapeutic focus areas to strategic priorities, and uncover how to align opportunities with the evolving needs of the industry.

Identify the therapeutic areas and deal types that are driving pharma’s current business strategies.
Understand how pharma companies are adapting to shifting market dynamics and innovation pipelines.
Learn practical approaches for aligning biotech and VC opportunities with pharma’s evolving priorities.

Speakers

Emma McBurney

Vice President, Head of Business Development & M&A, Biogen

Emma McBurney serves as the Vice President and Head of Business Development and M&A at Biogen since October 2019, where Emma leads a team in negotiating and executing significant transactions across various therapeutic areas. Previously, Emma held the position of Executive Director... Read More →

Lesley Stolz

Vice President, Early Innovation Partnering, Johnson & Johnson

Lesley is Vice President, Early Innovation Partnering at Johnson & Johnson Innovation. In this role, she leads identification, incubation, due diligence, negotiation, execution and on-boarding for high-impact partnerships and collaborations in external innovation. Lesley also oversees... Read More →

Jimmy Zhuang

Assistant General Counsel, Business Development, Novo Nordisk

Jimmy Zhuang is the Assistant General Counsel for Global Business Development at Novo Nordisk. For Novo Nordisk, Jimmy leads the company’s high-profile complex transactions for partnering and fostering external innovation, in particular research and development collaborations, IP... Read More →

Konstantina Katcheves

Senior Vice President, Innovative Medicines Global Business Development and Acquisitions, Teva Pharmaceuticals

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Town & Country Resort

Business Development & Licensing

11:30am PDT

Partner Presentation

Tuesday April 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
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Business Development & Licensing

12:00pm PDT

Networking Lunch BD&L

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

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Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
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Business Development & Licensing

12:00pm PDT

Registration Medical Affairs

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
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Medical Affairs

12:00pm PDT

Registration Pharma Marketing

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
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Pharma Marketing

12:00pm PDT

Registration PR & Communications

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

PR & Communications

12:45pm PDT

Medical Affairs Opening Remarks

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:45pm - 1:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Speakers

Ralph Rewers

Former Executive Director Medical Affairs, Gilead

A creative, achievement oriented professional with established performance at three pharma/biotech companies, progressing from a field based medical role to senior leadership level positions in more than 12 different therapeutic areas. Proven ability to create functions and communicate... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:45pm - 1:00pm PDT
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Medical Affairs

12:45pm PDT

Pharma Marketing Opening Remarks

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:45pm - 1:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:45pm - 1:00pm PDT
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Pharma Marketing

12:45pm PDT

Welcome and Opening Remarks - PR & Communications

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:45pm - 1:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Speakers

Wendy Lund

Chief Client Officer, Health@WPP

Wendy rejoined WPP in a newly created role to ensure strong, global, WPP-level support for clients around the world and further differentiate, diversity, and expand WPP’s footprint in the transforming health sector. With ongoing transformation in the healthcare sector, her goal... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:45pm - 1:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

PR & Communications

1:00pm PDT

Ice Breaker Activity

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
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Pharma Marketing

1:00pm PDT

Opening Keynote: From Trends to Trust: Navigating the Next Era of Biotech Communications

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Join us for an inspiring keynote that will set the tone for the conference by exploring how communicators are driving change in biotech. Discover how you can use your voice and expertise to build trust in science, navigate industry disruption, and make a lasting impact. With insights into the latest trends and future shifts, this session will motivate you to lead with purpose and passion in an exciting, evolving landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to understand your unique role in shaping the future of biotech!

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

PR & Communications

1:00pm PDT

Panel: The Investor Perspective on Life Sciences Investment Trends

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Hear from capital partners on the latest trends shaping life sciences investments, including how they evaluate opportunities, manage risks, and identify game-changing innovations in biotech and pharma.

Explore the therapeutic areas, technologies, and business models attracting VC interest in 2025.
Learn how VCs approach valuation, risk assessment, and market positioning for biotech startups.
Gain insights into building strong partnerships with investors to drive long-term success.

Speakers

Mariana Mihalusova

Vice President, Venrock

Jennifer Friel Goldstein

Head of Startup Banking, Technology & Life Sciences, Life Science & Healthcare, Silicon Valley Bank

Jennifer Friel Goldstein is head of Relationship Management, Technology and Healthcare, at Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank (NASDAQ: FCNCA). In this role, Ms. Goldstein leverages her 20+ year experience financing innovation to develop creative capital solutions... Read More →

Andrew Lam

Managing Director, Head of Biotech Private Equity, Ally Bridge Group

David Yang

Principal, Lux Capital

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Business Development & Licensing

1:00pm PDT

Keynote Panel: Shaping the Future: CMO Insights on Strategic Evolution in Medical Affairs

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Discover how Medical Affairs drives a comprehensive approach to product development
Explore the transformative impact of Medical Affairs throughout every stage of a product’s lifecycle
Learn strategic approaches to fostering innovation and prioritizing future-focused investments

Speakers

Craig Eagle, MD,

Chief Medical Officer, Guardant Health

Dr. Craig Eagle currently serves as Guardant Health’s chief medical officer. Prior to joining Guardant Health, Dr. Eagle served as Vice President of Medical Affairs Oncology for Genentech, where he oversaw the medical programs across the oncology portfolio and developed innovative... Read More →

Leslie Meltzer, PhD

Chief Medical Officer, Orchard Therapeutics

Steven Zhang, MD, PhD

Chief Medical Officer, Thea Pharma

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Medical Affairs

1:30pm PDT

Opening Keynote: Catch and Correct: Data-Triggered Promotion for Hospital Transition of Care

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

This talk will explore the use of Data-Triggered promotion to identify HCPs that have discharged their hospitalized invasive candidiasis patients on daily IV therapy vs once -weekly IV therapy and “correct” their prescribing going forward.

Speakers

David Newman

VP of Marketing, Melinta Therapeutics

Specialty marketing leader with 25 years of experience in the oncology, critical care, hospital and anti-infective markets. Currently VP of Marketing at Melinta Therapeutics overseeing the successful launch or REZZAYO™ (rezafungin for injection) for Candidemia and Invasive Cand... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Pharma Marketing

1:30pm PDT

Case Study: From Startup to Market: Inside Arcturus Therapeutics’ Vaccine Launch

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Discover the remarkable journey of Arcturus Therapeutics, a trailblazing biotech that defied the odds to launch its first approved product—a COVID-19 vaccine—in Japan. This inspiring case study will showcase how a company that started with just $15,000 built a commercialized product through relentless effort, innovative collaboration, and strategic branding. Learn how Arcturus partnered with two prominent drug makers and leveraged an established brand identity to gain trust and recognition in the Japanese market, achieving what many thought impossible for an independent biotech.

Speakers

Neda Safarzadeh

Vice President, Head of: Investor Relations/ Public Relations /Marketing, Arcturus Therapeutics

Neda Safarzadeh is the Vice President, Head of Investor relations/Public relations/Marketing at Arcturus Therapeutics. She has served at Arcturus Therapeutics since company’s inception, joining company’ co-founders in 2013. During her time at Arcturus, she helped the management... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

PR & Communications

1:45pm PDT

1:1 Meetings for BD&L

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:45pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:45pm PDT
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Business Development & Licensing

2:00pm PDT

Partner Presentation by Klick

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
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Medical Affairs

2:00pm PDT

Partner Presentation by IQVIA

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Pharma Marketing

2:00pm PDT

Partner Presentation

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

PR & Communications

2:30pm PDT

Networking Break Medical Affairs

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Medical Affairs

2:30pm PDT

Networking Break Pharma Marketing

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Pharma Marketing

2:30pm PDT

Networking Break PR & Communications

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

PR & Communications

2:30pm PDT

1:1 Curated Meetings with Event Partners

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:45pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:45pm PDT
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Medical Affairs

3:00pm PDT

Icebreaker Activity

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
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Medical Affairs

3:00pm PDT

Panel: Strategic Storytelling: Aligning Messages to Inspire and Connect

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Storytelling has the power to shape cultures, inspire movements, and connect people to a shared purpose. In this dynamic panel, learn how to align storytelling efforts with your corporate narrative and develop a strategy that ensures consistent messaging across internal and external channels. Panelists will share insights into overcoming challenges, crafting authentic narratives, and leveraging storytelling as a transformative tool for humanizing organizations and driving meaningful change.

• Gain practical tips for co-creating stories that effectively amplify strategic messages.
• Discover innovative ways to evoke emotions, communicate priorities, and achieve organizational goals through storytelling.
• Hear real-world examples of how storytelling has been used to unite teams, engage audiences, and drive success

Moderators

Lynnea Olivarez

Founder & Community Manager, Ticket to Biotech

Lynnea Olivarez is a savvy life science communicator with experience spanning industry, agency and government. She recently founded the global biopharma communicator community Ticket to Biotech (T2B) after 15 years driving impactful communications across the drug development lifecycle... Read More →

Speakers

Sara Dunn

Head of Global Neurology Communications, Sanofi

Sara is a marketing, communications, advocacy and corporate strategy leader with 20+ years of experience in healthcare. With a passion for science and insight-driven communications, she has led successful initiatives across therapeutic areas with large pharmaceutical companies, professional... Read More →

Ilke Limoncu

Director, Global Communications and Public Affairs, Business Unit Oncology, AbbVie

Ilke Limoncu is a seasoned, strategic communications executive with more than 25 years of public relations and healthcare industry experience in the U.S. and international markets. Currently, she leads Public Affairs for AbbVie’s U.S. Oncology portfolio with responsibility for therapeutic... Read More →

Eamonn Nolan

Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Agios Pharmaceuticals

Eamonn is a strategic communications and investor relations leader with extensive experience across the pharmaceutical, biotech and healthcare non-profit sectors. He specializes in advising C-Suite leadership, building corporate reputation, promoting a company’s value proposition... Read More →

Madeleine Shin

EVP, US Health Media Lead, Weber Shandwick

Madeleine has a diverse, 15-year background in healthcare communications anduring which she has managed media, messaging and crisis response for powerprofessional associations and federal lawmakers. She currently serves as the USIPG, overseeing a team of 30 healthcare media specialists... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

PR & Communications

QTAG PR&CommsFeaturedSession

3:00pm PDT

1:1 Curated Meetings with Event Partners

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:15pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:15pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Pharma Marketing

3:45pm PDT

Partner Presentation

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:45pm - 4:15pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:45pm - 4:15pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Business Development & Licensing

3:45pm PDT

Partner Presentation

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:45pm - 4:15pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:45pm - 4:15pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Medical Affairs

3:45pm PDT

Partner Presentation

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:45pm - 4:15pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:45pm - 4:15pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

PR & Communications

4:15pm PDT

Panel: Building High-Impact Partnerships: Strategies for Success

Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Partnerships are the cornerstone of innovation and growth in pharma and biotech. This session explores actionable strategies to identify, evaluate, and secure meaningful collaborations that align with organizational goals and deliver long-term value.

Learn how to align partnership opportunities with scientific, strategic, and financial objectives for maximum impact.
Explore practical approaches to assessing partner fit, including cultural compatibility, resource alignment, and shared goals.

Gain insights into navigating common challenges in partner selection, from early-stage collaboration to long-term execution.

Speakers

Ramlah Nehring

Global Head of Partnering - Strategy and Transactions, Roche

Dr. Ramlah Nehring is the Global Head of Partnerships and Transactions for Roche Diagnostics, based in San Diego, California. She leads a global business development team that spans APAC, North America, and Europe, supporting the entire partnering value chain for Roche Diagnostics... Read More →

Chi Sullivan

Vice President, Head of Alliance Management, GSK

Jeannie Karl

Senior Director, Pharma Partnering Transactions, Genentech

Seth Lieblich

Principal, 8VC

Seth focuses on 8VC's Bio-IT investment area where he invests, builds and supports companies across areas such as therapeutics, tools, bio-infrastructures and broader applications of biology. He joined 8VC from Amgen’s Business Development technology group, where he was responsible... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Business Development & Licensing

4:15pm PDT

Panel: Building a Framework for Integrated Evidence Generation: From Strategy to Value Creation

Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Examine the importance of integrated evidence generation that goes beyond publication planning, emphasizing collaboration across R&D, medical affairs, and commercial teams
Discuss the transition from tactical to value-centric approaches in aligning publication plans and evidence generation with corporate goals, emphasizing real-world evidence integration from early development and the importance of leadership in fostering strategic alignment through dedicated roles in Centers of Excellence
Identify key metrics and KPIs for measuring the success of integrated evidence generation, emphasizing patient outcomes and commercial impact. Discuss effective communication of this long-term value, including real-world data and patient-reported outcomes, while overcoming challenges in shifting from tactical data collection to demonstrating broader regulatory and promotional value
Explore how MSLs can leverage real-world evidence to provide critical insights that shape therapeutic decision-making and improve patient care
Highlight best practices for integrating RWE into field medical operations to align with patient-centric goals and demonstrate value to stakeholders

Speakers

Shuvayu Sen

Vice President & Head of Oncology, Center of Observations & Real World Evidence, Merck

Murali Gopal, MD

Vice President, Head – Medical Affairs, Phathom Pharmaceuticals

Deepa Lalla, PhD

Vice President, Evidence Generation, Publications and Partnerships, AstraZeneca

Deepa Lalla is Vice President, Evidence Generation, Publications and Partnerships team in Oncology Global Medical Affairs at AstraZeneca. The team is responsible for articulating the value of the AZ Oncology Portfolio by generating and communication impactful evidence and developing... Read More →

Kathleen Villa

Executive Director, Medical Evidence Generation, Ionis Pharmaceuticals

Executive Director, Medical Evidence Generation, Ionis PharmaceuticalsKathleen is the Executive Director, Medical Evidence Generation at Ionis, where she ensures that healthcare professionals have the evidence they need to make well-informed treatment decisions. She has over 20 years... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Medical Affairs

4:15pm PDT

Panel: Reimagining Pharma Marketing: Driving Personalization and Engagement in a Changing Commercial Landscape

Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

Redefine marketing roles to prioritize customer engagement and portfolio strategy over product-specific tactics, aligning teams with broader organizational goals.
Leverage advanced analytics and AI to integrate real-time insights into personalized engagement, fostering data-driven, scalable marketing approaches.
Adopt an organization-led model to ensure consistent and impactful customer relationships across all touchpoints, moving beyond traditional sales-rep dependency.
Foster cross-functional collaboration between marketing, sales, and medical teams to break down silos and create seamless, patient-centric experiences.
Measure success effectively by implementing metrics that reflect meaningful customer interactions, improved patient outcomes, and long-term growth potential.

Moderators

Alison Tapia

Senior Director, Performance Marketing & Digital Innovation, Dermavant

With over 20+ years of industry experience, Alison has become an expert in launch excellence and digital transformation. She has played a pivotal role in the success of 20+ Rx product launches and has a proven track record of establishing enterprise-wide approved solutions to maximize... Read More →

Speakers

Gozde Dinc

Director, Strategic Partnerships & Innovation, Genentech

Gozde is a quantitative marketing leader who excels at innovating at the intersection of customer, business, and technology. In her current role, she leads the design and execution of cutting-edge digital marketing initiatives while building strategic partnerships that drive meaningful... Read More →

Emily Martin

Associate Director of US HCP/Digital Marketing, argenx

Emily Martin is an Associate Director of US HCP/Digital Marketing at argenx. Emily leads efforts for digital analytics and measurement across all indications and campaigns. She ensures seamless experience for HCPs by driving ecosystem management, creating business rules, ensuring... Read More →

Kevin Ryan

Director, Integrated Experience Planning - Immunology, Novartis

Kevin brings a wealth of experience spanning 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry, encompassing a broad range of sales and marketing roles. His journey began with Glaxosmithkline in New York City, where he excelled in various general pharmaceutical sales positions before transitioning... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

Pharma Marketing

4:15pm PDT

Panel: Building a Well-Rounded Career in Life Sciences Communications

Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm PDT

Town & Country Resort

This panel brings together leaders from diverse backgrounds and roles within the communications space to share their unique career stories. Panelists will discuss how they navigated nontraditional career moves, what skills proved most valuable, and how lateral or divergent shifts shaped their success in current leadership roles. With candid, authentic conversations, they’ll explore the breadth of opportunities in life sciences communications and provide actionable insights for those looking to diversify their own careers. Attendees will leave inspired, understanding that sometimes the most rewarding paths are not the most direct.

Speakers

Peggy Vorwald, Ph.D.

Senior Director Corporate Communications, Caribou Biosciences

Julie Ames

President, The Cambridge Group

Julie Ames is president and founder of The Cambridge Group, where she is engaged in solving communications, leadership and public policy problems for a range of organizations, including corporations, governments and non-profit organizations in the biotechnology, software, utility... Read More →

Michael Levey

Director, Global Media Relations, Merck

Michael is a corporate communications leader with more than two decades of in-house and agency experience in the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. He has a proven track record in leading integrated communications plans and media engagement strategies that drive measurable... Read More →

Carolyn Scofield, MPS

Asst. Director of Marketing & Communications, Tulane Medicine

Carolyn Scofield is the assistant director of marketing and communications at Tulane University School of Medicine. With over 20 years of experience in media and communications, she specializes in strategic planning and team leadership.Carolyn began her career as a television news... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm PDT
Town & Country Resort

PR & Communications