February Comm Convo: Defining Strategic
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$40 for Basic members
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FEBRUARY COMM CONVO: DEFINING STRATEGIC
Being strategic is one of the most overused mandates in biopharma communications—but what does it actually mean? For senior communicators, the expectation to “be strategic” is both a responsibility and an opportunity, yet the definition is often unclear, subjective, and evolving with the needs of our organizations. In this session, we’ll dig into the core of what it means to be strategic in our profession, covering how to align communications with corporate goals, become a forcing function for decision-making, and educate our organizations about the true scope and influence of the comms function. This candid conversation will challenge assumptions, provide practical frameworks, and explore how communicators can define and measure strategic impact.
WHY ATTEND
Define what “being strategic” means in biopharma communications and how it influences corporate decision-making.
Learn practical ways to align communications plans with business objectives and guide organizational direction.
Gain insights into educating stakeholders about the comms function to set clear expectations and drive success.
Explore how to give and receive feedback on strategic thinking to demonstrate growth and impact.
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
SUE HAGER
Sue Hager is an operating partner and the Chief Marketing Officer on the Bio + Health investing team. She oversees marketing, branding, and health policy for the fund.
Prior to joining Andreessen Horowitz, she was chief investor relations and communications officer for Section 32 venture capital. Sue also served as chief communications officer and head of health policy and advocacy for life sciences companies including EQRx (Nasdaq: EQRx) and Foundation Medicine (acquired by Roche) where, among other initiatives in her six-year tenure, she led the company’s efforts to secure the first broad Medicare Coverage Decision for comprehensive genomic profiling in oncology. Previously she served in similar roles at companies including Bayer Healthcare, Myriant Corporation (acquired by PTT Global Chemical), Targanta (acquired by The Medicines Company) and Coley Pharmaceutical (acquired by Pfizer).
She holds a BS with honors in biology and earned her MBA from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Sue currently serves on the Board of Directors for MassBio and the Emily Whitehead Foundation. Sue grew up in Rhode Island and returned there recently, where she enjoys boating, surfing, cycling, and hiking with her husband and their dogs.
FIONA OLIVIER
Fiona Olivier joined OSE Immunotherapeutics in November 2024 from Sanofi, where she served as Global Head of Corporate Affairs for the General Medicines division since 2021. In this role, she oversaw communications for a major transformation and modernization effort. She led corporate affairs activities for the acquisition and integration of two immunology-focused biotech companies and spearheaded efforts to shape the market for global product launches. Fiona has 30-years international experience in communications, public affairs, and patient engagement at leading global companies such as AbbVie, Abbott, and GSK. Additionally, she has worked as a consultant at Ketchum, a global communications firm (Omnicom company), serving clients across multiple sectors and geographies.
Fiona’s career has taken her from Ireland to Poland and the UK before arriving in France in 1997. She holds a degree in communications from Dublin City University, and a master’s in public Affairs and Public Policy from Sciences Po Paris.