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Tuesday, April 29
 

12:00pm PDT

Registration PR & Communications
Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Town & Country Foyer

12:45pm PDT

Welcome and Opening Remarks - PR & Communications
Tuesday April 29, 2025 12:45pm - 1:00pm PDT
Speakers
avatar for Wendy Lund

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 Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

1:00pm PDT

Media Readiness on the Global Stage: Telling Your Untold Story When it Matters Most
Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Speakers
avatar for Gloria “Glo” Janata, JD

Gloria “Glo” Janata, JD

President, CEO & Owner, TogoRun
Gloria (Glo) Janata is an award-winning public relations strategist and marketing communications expert with more than 25 years of global agency, in-house and non-profit experience, focusing on health care and wellbeing.Known for her creativity, passion, and drive for excellence... Read More →
avatar for Kate Broderick, PhD

Kate Broderick, PhD

Chief Innovation Officer, Maravai LifeSciences
Dr. Kate Broderick leverages more than 20 years of life science experience with over 15 years in research and development as the head of Maravai’s newly established Science and Innovation Office. A recognized expert in vaccine and nucleic acid technology, Dr. Broderick has led global... Read More →
Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

1:30pm PDT

Case Study: From Startup to Market: Inside Arcturus Therapeutics’ Vaccine Launch
Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Discover the remarkable journey of Arcturus Therapeutics, a trailblazing biotech that defied the odds to launch the world’s first sa-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine—that’s been approved in the European Community which includes the 27 countries of the EU (plus three others), and in Japan. This 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.
Speakers
avatar for Neda Safarzadeh

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 Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

2:00pm PDT

Building a Best-in-Class Internal Communications Strategy: Engaging Employees and Elevating Corporate Culture
Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
  • Hear how a strategic internal communications program can support company growth, strengthen culture, and drive employee engagement during times of transformation. 
  • Learn how to develop a compelling editorial strategy, from launching an employee newsletter to creating an engaging intranet that serves as a dynamic daily news hub. 
  • Discover innovative ways to enhance leadership communication, from interactive all-employee meetings to a structured m
Speakers
avatar for Michael Hromadik

Michael Hromadik

Former Director, Corporate Affairs, Ionis Pharmaceuticals
Michael Hromadik is the principal of an employee and corporate communications consultancy.  He is an imaginative professional with 25+ years of experience in public relations, marketing and internal communications, specializing in growing and emerging corporations and nonprofit organizations.Mr... Read More →
Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

2:30pm PDT

Networking Break PR & Communications
Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Golden State Ballroom Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

3:00pm PDT

Panel: Strategic Storytelling: Aligning Messages to Inspire and Connect
Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
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
avatar for Lynnea Olivarez

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
avatar for Sara Dunn

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 →
avatar for Ilke Limoncu

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 →
avatar for Eamonn Nolan

Eamonn Nolan

Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Agios Pharmaceuticals
Eamonn Nolan is a seasoned corporate communications and investor relations leader with a strong track record in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare non-profit sectors. He specializes in advising C-suite executives, enhancing corporate reputation, articulating compelling value... Read More →
avatar for Madeleine Shin

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 Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
  PR & Communications
  • Qtag PR&CommsFeaturedSession

3:45pm PDT

Panel: Building a Well-Rounded Career in Life Sciences Communications
Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:45pm - 4:30pm PDT
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.
Moderators
avatar for Julie Ames

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 →
Speakers
avatar for Peggy Vorwald, Ph.D.

Peggy Vorwald, Ph.D.

Senior Director Corporate Communications, Caribou Biosciences
avatar for Michael Levey

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 →
avatar for Carolyn Scofield, MPS

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 3:45pm - 4:30pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
  PR & Communications
  • Qtag PR&CommsFeaturedSession

4:30pm PDT

Keynote- Breaking Barriers, Building Access: Communicating Bold Moves in Women’s Health Innovation
Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:30pm - 5:00pm PDT
Hear the story of how Daré cut through the noise to address the increasing demand for treatments designed for women, utilizing all eligible pathways to get evidence-based options into the hands of women and not lost in bureaucracy, and the tactics to communicate this innovative dual-path approach (compounding and seeking FDA approval) to multiple stakeholders (women, healthcare providers, and investors) 
 
  • Explore how bold messaging and clear narrative can power a mission-driven brand to break through healthcare silos and elevate underserved patient populations 
  • Learn how to strategically communicate a dual-path commercialization approach to diverse audiences—patients, providers, and investors—while maintaining credibility and trust. 
  • Understand the importance of balancing urgency and scientific rigor in public-facing commu
Speakers
avatar for Sabrina Martucci Johnson

Sabrina Martucci Johnson

Founder and CEO, Daré Bioscience
Sabrina Martucci Johnson is the Founder and CEO of Daré Bioscience (NASDAQ:DARE), a biopharmaceutical company driven by a mission to challenge the status quo, making women's health a priority.  Daré’s goal is to bring to market as soon as practicable innovative evidence-based... Read More →
Tuesday April 29, 2025 4:30pm - 5:00pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

5:00pm PDT

Closing Remarks & Networking Reception
Tuesday April 29, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Speakers
avatar for Wendy Lund

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 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Flamingo Lawn
 
Wednesday, April 30
 

8:00am PDT

Networking Breakfast PR & Communications
Wednesday April 30, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Wednesday April 30, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Golden State Ballroom Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

8:00am PDT

Registration PR and Communications
Wednesday April 30, 2025 8:00am - 5:00pm PDT
Wednesday April 30, 2025 8:00am - 5:00pm PDT
Town & Country Foyer

8:45am PDT

Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
Wednesday April 30, 2025 8:45am - 9:00am PDT
Speakers
avatar for Wendy Lund

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 →
Wednesday April 30, 2025 8:45am - 9:00am PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

9:00am PDT

Keynote: Leading Through Triumphs and Turbulence – Lessons from the Frontlines
Wednesday April 30, 2025 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
In this powerful and deeply personal keynote, a seasoned leader shares hard-earned lessons from three transformative years steering investor relations and communications at a clinical-stage biotech company. From the highest highs of orchestrating a record-setting IPO to the lowest lows of reporting clinical trial failures and the associated organizational impacts, this session offers a candid look at what it takes to navigate the ever-shifting biotech landscape.
Speakers
avatar for Tyler Marciniak, MSc, MBA

Tyler Marciniak, MSc, MBA

VP of Investor Relations, Corporate Communications & Advocacy, ACELYRIN, INC
Over a biopharma career spanning more than 20 years and multiple continents, Tyler has developed a strong track record of establishing and leading high performing teams in investor relations, corporate communications and stakeholder engagement, including patient advocacy and industry/government... Read More →
Wednesday April 30, 2025 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

9:30am PDT

Communicating Through Change
Wednesday April 30, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am PDT
Evolving stakeholder expectations, shifts in health systems and policies and industry consolidation have occurred at a dizzying pace in recent years. This panel will delve into strategies for communicating effectively during uncertain times. We'll explore how to identify and manage what can be controlled – messaging, channels and audience engagement – to cut through the noise and deliver impactful communications.  

Moderators
avatar for Kristin Cahill

Kristin Cahill

Global CEO, GCI Group
Kristin Cahill is the Global Chief Executive Officer of GCI Group. Throughout her career, she has worked with a wide range of healthcare organizations and executives to develop innovative strategies, compelling communication platforms and breakthrough creative campaigns.Kristin is... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Sara Dunn

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 →
avatar for Arran Attridge

Arran Attridge

Former Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Vir Biotechnology
Arran Attridge serves as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications. Attridge is responsible for leading communications, patient advocacy and stakeholder engagement for Vir Biotechnology. She has more than two decades of experience as a public relations and advocacy leader... Read More →
avatar for Megan Humphreys

Megan Humphreys

Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Affairs, Rayze Bio
Megan Humphreys is a proven integrated communications and brand management leader with 15 years’ experience in media relations, go-to-market communications strategy development, strategic planning, corporate brand identity development and management, and communications channel alignment... Read More →
avatar for Kristin Yelenovic

Kristin Yelenovic

Global Head of External Communications for Pfizer Specialty Care, Pfizer
Kristin is an experienced external communications leader with a proven track record of driving impactful communications strategies for global organizations. As the Global Head of External Communications for Pfizer Specialty Care – which includes Rare Disease, Inflammation & Immunology... Read More →
Wednesday April 30, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

10:00am PDT

Panel: Leadership and Executive Communications in the Evolving Media Landscape
Wednesday April 30, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
In today’s rapidly shifting media landscape, communicators face new challenges in amplifying messages from leadership and executive teams. From podcasts rising in influence to social media reshaping communication strategies, it’s crucial for communicators to adapt and evolve their approach. This panel will delve into how organizations can effectively navigate this dynamic environment, select the right channels, and tailor messaging to achieve corporate goals. This session will also examine how the rise of digital platforms has transformed leadership communications and how to balance costs, ROI, and reputational considerations when choosing the best opportunities.
Moderators
avatar for James R Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP

James R Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP

Chief Strategy Officer, Tulane University, School of Medicine
James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP returned to Tulane in 2015 after establishing the open science functions for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus, one of the most innovative experiments in scientific research. His career also includes functioning as a chemist... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Melinda Hutcheon

Melinda Hutcheon

Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Sangamo
avatar for Karen Castillo-Paff

Karen Castillo-Paff

Emmy Award-Winning Former Journalist and Corporate Communications Leader , Viatris
avatar for Megan Driscoll

Megan Driscoll

Founder & CEO, EvolveMKD
Founder. CEO. Visionary. VIP. This is how we think of Megan Driscoll today. But, her journey in PR started 20 years ago after graduating from the University of Chicago - where she was the first ever recipient of the Early Career Achievement Award - when she landed a role as an Account... Read More →
avatar for Christine Englund

Christine Englund

Head of Communications, Roche Diagnostics, Information Solutions
Wednesday April 30, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
  PR & Communications
  • Qtag PR&CommsFeaturedSession

10:45am PDT

Networking Break PR & Communications
Wednesday April 30, 2025 10:45am - 11:15am PDT
Wednesday April 30, 2025 10:45am - 11:15am PDT
Golden State Ballroom Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

11:15am PDT

Panel: From Setback to Strength: Navigating and Communicating Challenging Clinical Trial Results
Wednesday April 30, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm PDT
When faced with a trial that doesn’t successfully achieve its primary endpoint, communication leaders must navigate a storm of questions, doubts, and concerns from investors, patients, employees, and the public. This panel will feature experienced communications professionals who have successfully managed the fallout of failed or challenging trials and lived to tell the tale. They’ll share practical strategies for addressing negative news, controlling the narrative, and maintaining confidence among key stakeholders.   
  • Discover how to define success in moments of failure, rally employees, and ensure that everyone is aligned on the path forward.  
  • Real-world anecdotes and stories will offer invaluable insights, from navigating investor calls and media inquiries to keeping the morale of employees high and inspired. 
Moderators
avatar for Stephanie Yao

Stephanie Yao

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Bicycle Therapeutics
Stephanie Yao is a strategic communications leader with more than 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical, federal government and healthcare non-profit industries. She currently serves as senior vice president, investor relations and corporate communications at Bicycle Therapeutics... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Erin Murphy

Erin Murphy

Executive Director, Head of Corporate Affairs, Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Erin Murphy currently serves as Executive Director and Head of Global Corporate Affairs at Mirum Pharmaceuticals, a rare disease company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this role, she oversees the global communications programs as well as patient advocacy. Erin cut her teeth... Read More →
avatar for Kristin Yelenovic

Kristin Yelenovic

Global Head of External Communications for Pfizer Specialty Care, Pfizer
Kristin is an experienced external communications leader with a proven track record of driving impactful communications strategies for global organizations. As the Global Head of External Communications for Pfizer Specialty Care – which includes Rare Disease, Inflammation & Immunology... Read More →
avatar for Debbie Etchison

Debbie Etchison

Executive Director, Head of Corporate Affairs, Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Debbie Etchison is a purpose-driven strategic communications professional with more than 20 years of in-house and PR agency experience in the pharmaceutical industry leading corporate communications, patient advocacy and engagement, first-in-class pharma product launches, disease... Read More →
Wednesday April 30, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
  PR & Communications
  • Qtag PR&CommsFeaturedSession

12:00pm PDT

Navigating Uncertainty with Strategic Clarity: Twist Bioscience Case Study
Wednesday April 30, 2025 12:00pm - 12:30pm PDT
Life science companies are facing high stakes today as they grapple with unprecedented uncertainty, rapid change, and complex challenges:
· A prolonged market downturn forcing team reductions and remaining employees to achieve more with less;
· Regulatory disruptions adding pressure to milestone pacing and financial catalysts;
· Geo-competitive dynamics rewriting the information-sharing playbook;
· New requirements calling into question corporate DEI and ESG strategies;
· AI accelerating digital transformation across the healthcare ecosystem.
As communicators, we will play a pivotal role in helping to steer our leaders and organizations through these shifts.
This session will offer a candid and actionable discussion on how to drive your company forward. Attendees will gain insights into achieving strategic clarity and organizational alignment to enhance corporate communications and optimize stakeholder engagement

Speakers
avatar for Angela Bitting

Angela Bitting

Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, Twist Bioscience
As a senior communications executive with over twenty-five years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, Angela excels in crisp messaging and consistent communications, increasing visibility among key stakeholders, as well as carrying culture and communication throughout... Read More →
avatar for Meredith Kiernan

Meredith Kiernan

Managing Director, Brand Experience, Waterhouse Brands
Wednesday April 30, 2025 12:00pm - 12:30pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

12:30pm PDT

Networking Lunch PR & Communications
Wednesday April 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Wednesday April 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Golden State Ballroom Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

1:30pm PDT

Case Study: PortrAIts of Cancer: Redefining Storytelling Through Art and AI
Wednesday April 30, 2025 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Join this engaging session to explore the journey behind the groundbreaking PortrAIts of Cancer™, a program developed by Arcus Biosciences, that utilizes digital tools, including artificial intelligence for storytelling. Learn how Arcus collaborated with the advocacy community to merge personal cancer stories and modern technology into visual images for sharing on social media. These one-of-a-kind portraits bring emotions to life and transcend the boundaries of the spoken word.
Through real-life examples and insights, this session will cover:
  • Key components to a successful corporate reputation program that prioritizes community needs
  • How to build a consortium of top-tier partners to meaningfully contribute to the patient community
  • Considerations for privacy, copyright, intellectual property and compliance within the evolving world of AI
  • Building trust and ownership internally to ensure program success and sustainability
This inspiring case study showcases how art, storytelling, and technology come together to create a transformative program with the power to move hearts, inspire trust, and strengthen connections in the cancer community.
Speakers
avatar for Holli Kolkey

Holli Kolkey

Vice President, Head of Corporate Affairs, Arcus Biosciences
Wednesday April 30, 2025 1:30pm - 2:00pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

2:00pm PDT

Reputation or Risk? Why Pharma’s Future Depends on Trust.
Wednesday April 30, 2025 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Corporate Reputation isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a business imperative. Investors rank it among the top four factors driving stock value, beyond financials. In pharma, trust, transparency, and inclusivity shape public perception and long-term success. Yes, a strong reputation builds resilience, mitigates crises, and fosters investor and stakeholder confidence. Join the conversation as this panel brings together industry leaders to explore how companies can proactively manage risk, navigate scrutiny, and turn reputation into a competitive advantage in an era of heightened expectations and even more friction. 
Moderators
avatar for Jamie Jacobson

Jamie Jacobson

Executive Vice President, Client Experience Leader, Prompt
Speakers
avatar for Chrissy Jones

Chrissy Jones

Director of U.S. Corporate Reputation and Executive Communication, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
avatar for Laura Spear

Laura Spear

Executive Director, Global Product, Pipeline and R&D Communications, BeOne Medicines
Wednesday April 30, 2025 2:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

2:30pm PDT

Panel: Real Talk: Biotech Communicators Share Real Stories, Real Advice, & Real Solutions
Wednesday April 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:15pm PDT
an Interactive ‘Ask the Experts’ style discussion
 
This unique, interactive panel brings together experienced leaders from across the biotech sector to answer your burning questions and share invaluable insights. Each panelist will introduce themselves, sharing their background, specialties, and a personal success story, before diving into an engaging discussion with the audience. This session will be a dynamic exchange, where real-world examples and practical advice are provided, and attendees are encouraged to ask questions live. Whether you're navigating challenges, seeking industry insights, or just eager to learn from seasoned professionals, this session promises an interactive and thought-provoking experience that blends expertise with storytelling.
Moderators
avatar for Priyanka Shah

Priyanka Shah

Founder and CEO, Elephant Head Communications, LLC
Priyanka is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Elephant Head Communications, LLC, a strategic life sciences communications consultancy. With over 18 years of experience in healthcare communications, Priyanka brings deep expertise in guiding life biopharma and biotech companies... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Ryan Kelly

Ryan Kelly

Chief Communications Officer, Recursion
Ryan Kelly is Chief Communications Officer at Recursion, the leading TechBio with a mission to fundamentally change the way drugs are discovered. Since joining Recursion three years ago, he has led the company’s internal and external communications through key pipeline updates... Read More →
avatar for Laura Cooper

Laura Cooper

Head of Corporate Communications, Day One Biopharmaceuticals
Laura Cooper is Head of Corporate Communications at Day One Biopharmaceuticals, a commercial-stage company focused on advancing first- or best-in-class medicines for childhood and adult diseases with equal intensity. Most recently, Laura led communications around the launch of the... Read More →
avatar for Kelsey Grossman

Kelsey Grossman

Head of Corporate Communications, Orca Bio
Kelsey Grossman is a seasoned strategic communications leader with 15 years of experience in healthcare communications, specializing in brand management, corporate positioning, and external and internal engagement. As Head of Corporate Communications at Orca Bio, she built and established... Read More →
avatar for Aron Feingold

Aron Feingold

Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Geron Corporation
Aron Feingold has over 15 years of experience in biotech and pharmaceutical strategic communications. She is currently the VP of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at Geron, a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company pursuing therapies with the potential to extend... Read More →
Wednesday April 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:15pm PDT
Town & Country Resort 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

3:15pm PDT

Networking Break PR & Communications
Wednesday April 30, 2025 3:15pm - 3:45pm PDT
Wednesday April 30, 2025 3:15pm - 3:45pm PDT
Golden State Ballroom Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

3:45pm PDT

Panel: Aligning Numbers and Narratives: Driving Confidence in Investor Relations
Wednesday April 30, 2025 3:45pm - 4:30pm PDT
As a company grows from pre-IPO to commercialization, the investor relations function must evolve to meet the demands of each stage. This session will explore the three key phases of IR development—from early-stage, small, and scrappy teams to structured functions supporting a commercialized public company. Gain actionable insights on building processes, defining roles, and scaling effectively to meet organizational needs at every stage of growth.
The three main stages discussed will be:
  • Pre-IPO: Managing communications and IR as a small, agile team with no commercial products and preparing to go public.
  • Clinical-Stage Public Company: Once public, separating functions like corporate comms and IR, while establishing structured processes such as quarterly earnings reporting.
  • Commercial Public Company: Scaling functions to include navigating the FDA, government affairs, and product communications, while navigating the complexities of revenue reporting and stakeholder engagement.
Moderators
avatar for Angela Bitting

Angela Bitting

Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, Twist Bioscience
As a senior communications executive with over twenty-five years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, Angela excels in crisp messaging and consistent communications, increasing visibility among key stakeholders, as well as carrying culture and communication throughout... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Ami Knoefler

Ami Knoefler

SVP, Communications, Annexon Biosciences
avatar for Jason Awe, PhD, MBA

Jason Awe, PhD, MBA

Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Adverum Biotechnologies
Dr. Jason Awe serves as Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations at Adverum Biotechnologies, where he focuses on enterprise communication strategies and building Adverum's presence and relationships with the analyst and investor community in support of advancing the... Read More →
Wednesday April 30, 2025 3:45pm - 4:30pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

4:30pm PDT

Panel: Patient Advocacy as Your Super Weapon: Leveraging Collaboration for Impact
Wednesday April 30, 2025 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Patient advocacy is at the heart of creating meaningful change in healthcare and while most have a patient advocacy team, this session will discuss what made the largest for patients and how to utilize these strategies authentically. This panel will explore how patient advocacy, when strategically integrated into your communication and engagement efforts, can be a game-changer for both patients and the companies. With a focus on real-world examples and innovative programs, this session will showcase how patient-centric communication can move beyond PR, genuinely supporting patients, caregivers, and communities in areas of significant medical need.
Moderators
avatar for Megan Humphreys

Megan Humphreys

Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Affairs, Rayze Bio
Megan Humphreys is a proven integrated communications and brand management leader with 15 years’ experience in media relations, go-to-market communications strategy development, strategic planning, corporate brand identity development and management, and communications channel alignment... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Valerie Thomas

Valerie Thomas

SVP, Head of Advocacy and Alliances, Comanche Biopharma
Valerie is a leader in patient advocacy and medical affairs, fostering meaningful collaborations to advance solutions for preeclampsia. As the Head of Patient Advocacy and Alliances at Comanche Biopharma, she works closely with advocacy groups, professional societies, and key stakeholders... Read More →
avatar for Becca Kornfeld

Becca Kornfeld

Global Public Affairs Head, Sanofi Neurology, Specialty Care
With a focus on and passion for improving patient outcomes and in strong partnership with external experts and community stakeholders, Becca has spearheaded the Sanofi Neurology Public Affairs team in support of the development of best-in-class medicines that slow or halt neurodegeneration... Read More →
avatar for Jessica DiPaolo

Jessica DiPaolo

Senior Director, Global Patient and Community Partnerships, AbbVie
Wednesday April 30, 2025 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

5:15pm PDT

Networking Reception by Syneos
Wednesday April 30, 2025 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
Wednesday April 30, 2025 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
Golden State Ballroom Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
 
Thursday, May 1
 

8:00am PDT

Networking Breakfast PR & Communications
Thursday May 1, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Thursday May 1, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Golden State Ballroom Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

8:00am PDT

Registration PR and Communications
Thursday May 1, 2025 8:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Thursday May 1, 2025 8:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Town & Country Foyer

8:45am PDT

Chairperson's Opening Remarks
Thursday May 1, 2025 8:45am - 9:00am PDT
Speakers
avatar for Wendy Lund

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 →
Thursday May 1, 2025 8:45am - 9:00am PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

9:00am PDT

Roundtables: Interactive Small Group Discussions
Thursday May 1, 2025 9:00am - 10:45am PDT
Roundtables: Interactive small group discussions - 3 rotations (30 minutes each)
We will have several different topics that attendees can select between and have an open discussion with a group leader to help facilitate the conversation. Then after 30 minutes, we will rotate, and attendees can select another topic and small group and have an open discussion and network with peers.
  • 30 minutes per group; 5 minutes to transition between groups
  • Roundtable 1 – 9:05 – 9:35 am
  • Roundtable 2 – 9:40 – 10:10 am
  • Roundtable 3 – 10:15 – 10: 45 am
  • Groups capped at 15 people including the moderator.

Topics:
    1. Investor Relations: Metrics, Challenges, and Collaborative Solutions- Aron Feingold, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Geron Corporation 
    2. Building the Workforce of Tomorrow: Attracting, Retaining, and Empowering Talent- Sarah Thailing, Senior Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, Poseida Therapeutics  
    3. Maximizing Impact as an N of 1: Communication Strategies for Solo Professionals in Biotech- Debbie Etchison, Executive Director, Head of Corporate Affairs, Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, Inc 
    4. Strategic Corporate Communications for Small Organizations: Maximizing Impact with Limited Resources -Hope Mueller, SVP, Corporate Development and Strategy, Curavax 
    5. Navigating Digital Trends: Maximizing Social Media and Emerging Tech in Pharma Communications- Colby Accola, Senior Manager, Communications & Patient Advocacy, North America, Incyte 
    6. Navigating Change: Communicating Through Organizational Growth, Product Launches, and Market Disruptions - Amanda Sheldon, head of corporate communications, Arcutis 
     

Speakers
avatar for Amanda Sheldon

Amanda Sheldon

Head of Corporate Communications, Arcutis Biotherapeutics
Amanda Sheldon is the Executive Director, Head of Corporate Communications, at Arcutis Biotherapeutics, a leading medical dermatology company bringing meaningful innovation to individuals with serious skin diseases. Amanda is responsible for building the overall brand value and reputation... Read More →
avatar for Colby Accola

Colby Accola

Senior Manager, Communications & Patient Advocacy, North America, Incyte
avatar for Hope Mueller

Hope Mueller

SVP, Corporate Development and Strategy, Currax Pharmaceuticals
avatar for Debbie Etchison

Debbie Etchison

Executive Director, Head of Corporate Affairs, Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Debbie Etchison is a purpose-driven strategic communications professional with more than 20 years of in-house and PR agency experience in the pharmaceutical industry leading corporate communications, patient advocacy and engagement, first-in-class pharma product launches, disease... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Thailing

Sarah Thailing

Senior Director, IR & Corporate Communications, Poseida Therapeutics
avatar for Aron Feingold

Aron Feingold

Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Geron Corporation
Aron Feingold has over 15 years of experience in biotech and pharmaceutical strategic communications. She is currently the VP of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at Geron, a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company pursuing therapies with the potential to extend... Read More →
Thursday May 1, 2025 9:00am - 10:45am PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

10:45am PDT

Networking Break PR & Communications
Thursday May 1, 2025 10:45am - 11:15am PDT
Thursday May 1, 2025 10:45am - 11:15am PDT
Golden State Ballroom Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

11:15am PDT

Panel: Empowering Employees as Authentic Brand Ambassadors
Thursday May 1, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm PDT
Employees who are proud of their workplace and engaged in the company’s mission can be your most impactful advocates. However, encouraging them to share their enthusiasm authentically and responsibly on social media poses unique challenges for corporate communicators—especially in regulated industries like biotech and pharmaceuticals. This panel will explore how corporate communications teams can inspire and support employees to amplify the company’s message while staying true to its values.
 
  • Discover how to empower your workforce as enthusiastic ambassadors and strengthen your company’s reputation from the inside out.
  • Equip employees with tools, templates, and resources that make it easy to share their personal stories in a way that resonates with audiences.
  • Develop creative campaigns to engage employees, build enthusiasm among employees to champion your brand on their personal platforms and consider how to strike a balance between authenticity and compliance.
  • Highlight successful examples of employee-led initiatives that enhanced brand visibility and learn actionable strategies for turning your workforce into your most trusted and effective brand evangelists.
Moderators
avatar for Erin Murphy

Erin Murphy

Executive Director, Head of Corporate Affairs, Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Erin Murphy currently serves as Executive Director and Head of Global Corporate Affairs at Mirum Pharmaceuticals, a rare disease company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this role, she oversees the global communications programs as well as patient advocacy. Erin cut her teeth... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Sheldon

Amanda Sheldon

Head of Corporate Communications, Arcutis Biotherapeutics
Amanda Sheldon is the Executive Director, Head of Corporate Communications, at Arcutis Biotherapeutics, a leading medical dermatology company bringing meaningful innovation to individuals with serious skin diseases. Amanda is responsible for building the overall brand value and reputation... Read More →
avatar for Arran Attridge

Arran Attridge

Former Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Vir Biotechnology
Arran Attridge serves as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications. Attridge is responsible for leading communications, patient advocacy and stakeholder engagement for Vir Biotechnology. She has more than two decades of experience as a public relations and advocacy leader... Read More →
avatar for Brendan McEvoy

Brendan McEvoy

Head of External Communications, AstraZeneca
avatar for Linda Huss

Linda Huss

Senior Director, Corporate Affairs, Endo
Linda Huss serves as Senior Director, Corporate Affairs for Endo, Inc., a diversified specialty pharmaceutical company. She helps to shape the company’s corporate communications strategy, including internal and external communications, and oversees Endo’s global social media policy... Read More →
Thursday May 1, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

12:00pm PDT

Chairperson’s Closing Remarks
Thursday May 1, 2025 12:00pm - 12:30pm PDT
Speakers
avatar for Wendy Lund

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 →
Thursday May 1, 2025 12:00pm - 12:30pm PDT
Town & Country Ballroom B Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA

12:45pm PDT

Networking Lunch PR & Communications
Thursday May 1, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
Thursday May 1, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
Town & Country Resort 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108, USA
 
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