Purpose and Proof in Sync: How Corporate Affairs Drives Lasting Impact

My mom always used to say, “You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. You have to listen.” That wisdom feels especially resonant today as I lead a world-class global Corporate Affairs organization. 

Think about it. Healthcare providers want treatment options for their patients. Patients want to get better (not to mention, have affordable access to treatment). Policymakers want solutions that serve their constituents. Shareholders want innovation, so growth can continue. Employees want clarity, security and purpose. If you don’t have a real understanding of what each group needs from you, it’s hard to show up in a credible way. Our role is to listen, be transparent about trade-offs, and stay anchored in patient impact. 

When you do that consistently, you build trust, and trust gives you the ability to navigate even the hardest conversations.

“The Cloverleaf Connector”

You know those highway junctions shaped like cloverleaf that connect multiple roadways and minimize congestion at busy intersections? That’s Corporate Affairs. Like a cloverleaf interchange, Corporate Affairs sits at the junction of science, access, policy, communications, philanthropy, advocacy, and employee engagement. We connect key lanes and forge sustainable, trusted relationships with multiple stakeholders, both inside and outside the company. Whether we’re bringing clarity or rationale for change to our own employees, coordinating care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), or helping underserved, rural communities in the U.S, we focus on genuine connections that reflect local needs.

Making Equity an Operating Principle

Speaking of LMICs, I believe every person should have an equitable opportunity to benefit from our medicines and innovation, no matter who they are, where they live, or what they have. One example of how we synchronize purpose and proof is the ASPIRE initiative (Accessibility, Sustainability, Patient-centric, Impact, Responsibility, and Equity). It’s a 10-year effort to expand access to innovative medicines, train local healthcare providers, strengthen health systems and develop pathways to reach more patients. We’re well on our way to doubling the number of patients who can access our medicines and doubling the number of countries where we are present. 

This is just one example. Access planning is woven into even the earliest phases of drug development, ensuring every medicine is paired with clear pathways to patients. Our cross-sector partnerships help build systemic solutions that drive lasting change and advance health equity worldwide.

At the end of the day, people just want to be well, and making sure everyone has access to medicines is one important bridge to achieving that goal. 

The Power of Purpose

I began my career as a public defender, advocating for people without a voice, which required clear communication and trust-building. As a public defender, I learned that trust isn’t earned through perfect answers. People want honest ones. Transparency under pressure is a lesson that shapes how I lead Corporate Affairs today. When I step back and look at the trajectory of my career, there’s a clear throughline --purpose. I’ve always been drawn to roles that are fundamentally in service of other people.  As I transitioned to healthcare, it was an opportunity to advocate on an even greater scale by helping push forward medical innovations that could improve, or even save, lives. My job now is to advance systemic change with advocacy that builds reputation and makes our employees’ impact unmistakable. 

It’s a true privilege to do this work, and there’s more work to do.