April Comm Convo: The Trust Exchange
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APRIL COMM CONVO: THE TRUST EXCHANGE
As strategic corporate affairs advisors, the relationships we build shape our ability to lead, influence, and respond. We’re expected to earn trust across a wide range of stakeholders—from colleagues and executives to regulators, journalists, patients, investors, and the broader public. Whether navigating sensitive issues or simply keeping a program on track, we often face similar roadblocks: limited access, shifting priorities, and the need to quickly find common ground. This Comm Convo opens a practical discussion about strengthening the relationships that matter most, both inside and outside your organization.
WHY ATTEND
Lead conversations with C-suite executives that establish communications as a strategic function, even when time and attention are limited.
Build credibility with technical teams and research leaders by asking the right questions and surfacing the information you need.
Guide your communications team in creating and maintaining trust across diverse functions and audiences, especially during times of transition.
Strengthen our profession’s role as trusted counsel through sharper strategies for relationship-building with stakeholders across the healthcare and biopharma ecosystem.
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
KRISTOFER BAUMGARTNER
Kris Baumgartner is the former Director of Health Communication in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). In this role, Kris oversaw all internal and external communications dealing with CDER-regulated products. This included drug and therapeutic biologic approvals, medical policy, regulatory compliance, safety and public education campaigns.
Kris has more than 18 years of progressive communications, health education and public affairs/media relations experience across the federal government including with the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to taking the lead at the Division of Health Communication in 2018, he served as an agency strategic communications specialist and a press officer focusing on trade media. From 2007 to 2013, Kris was the full-time Deputy State Public Affairs Officer for the Maryland National Guard where he still serves part time as a military operations officer.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and master’s degree in Public and Media Relations from The Johns Hopkins University.
MARY KOSINSKI
Mary Kosinski is the Global Managing Director of Health and Life Sciences at FleishmanHillard, where she leads the agency’s largest sector. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare policy, regulatory affairs, and corporate communications, Mary works with clients to navigate complex healthcare challenges, develop impactful strategies, and engage key stakeholders globally.
Previously, Mary was Head of Global Corporate Affairs at Pi Health (formerly BeiGene), where she was responsible for building the corporate affairs strategy and establishing the company’s external presence in the international health technology space. She played a central role in developing sustainable stakeholder relationships and driving public policy alliances across the U.S., LATAM, India, Australia, and Europe.
Mary’s career in government included senior leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she contributed to public health, medical countermeasures, and biopharmaceutical development. As Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), she was responsible for managing the agency’s multi-billion-dollar budget. Mary’s work included facilitating collaborations with government agencies and the pharmaceutical industry to address national security health threats, including pandemic preparedness and response, and advancing medical therapies and vaccines.
During her tenure at BARDA, Mary also represented HHS as the lead spokesperson on public health issues at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, where she addressed seasonal influenza surveillance and MERS-CoV monitoring, coordinating efforts with the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, Mary served as Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at HHS, where she worked with the CDC, NIH, and FDA to assess and coordinate public health preparedness and emergency response activities. She was instrumental in U.S. pandemic influenza preparedness, representing HHS at international meetings including G-8 discussions on global health security.
Mary worked with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the early 2000s, focusing on Medicare Modernization Act policy development for hospital reimbursement, Medicaid waiver projects, and Medicare drug benefit programs. She later served as Deputy Vice President and Chief of Staff for Science and Regulatory Advocacy at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), where she led policy initiatives on COVID-19 recovery, gene therapies, digital health, and drove PDUFA strategy for the biopharmaceutical industry.
Mary holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Policy and Management, cum laude, from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as dual bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and policy and management.
Mary joined FleishmanHillard in January 2025.
SARAH SPENCER
Sarah Spencer is a seasoned communications executive with over 25 years of experience in the biotech, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors. She currently serves as Vice President of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations at Vor Bio, where she leads all external and internal communications strategies for the NASDAQ-listed cell and genome engineering company. In this role, she has been instrumental in supporting major financing events, rebuilding the company’s brand messaging and website, and leading employee engagement initiatives across the organization.
Sarah is also the Founder and CEO of SJS Communications, a consultancy that provides strategic communications support to early-stage biotech clients. Her work emphasizes authenticity, scientific clarity, and impactful storytelling.
Previously, Sarah was Vice President of Corporate Communications at Audentes Therapeutics, where she led communications through its $3 billion acquisition by Astellas and the company’s integration thereafter. She also spent over a decade at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in roles of increasing responsibility, including Acting Vice President of U.S. Communications, and Director of Global Corporate Media. While at GSK, she led communications for business-critical initiatives such as M&A, financial results, regulatory issues, and international crises.
Sarah began her career in public relations at Rite Aid Corporation and held leadership roles at Elan Pharmaceuticals and Berry & Company Public Relations. She holds a B.A. in Communication and Psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo.