Edelman Global Advisory Announces Health Policy and Public Affairs Offering
JANUARY 12, 2023 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Edelman Global Advisory (EGA) announced the formation of its Global Health Policy and Public Affairs offering. Led by EGA Health Chair Joseph M. Damond, the newly formed offering will help companies navigate the challenges of a complex health policy environment while anticipating and proactively addressing emerging developments and trends.
The pandemic has permanently altered all aspects of health policy globally, forcing policymakers around the world to grapple with critical issues. At the forefront of these issues are access and equity, innovation growth, and adaptation of regulatory and reimbursement systems to meet the needs of evolving health technologies in both the life sciences and IT sectors. Now more than ever, companies need to follow, understand, and effectively engage with these issues to meet demands of the marketplace and consumers. Working together with Edelman’s Global Health Sector, EGA’s Global Health Policy and Public Affairs team will offer advisory services to help clients anticipate global regulatory and policy risk, strengthen ties with regulators and governments, and navigate opportunities in new markets.
“Health value, access, and equity have never been more important to our clients, our communities, and our world,” said EGA Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Deborah Lehr. "The EGA Global Health Policy and Public Affairs team is uniquely positioned to be a trusted guide in helping companies navigate the changing geopolitical landscape. EGA has policy and regulatory experts in key markets around the world who understand global trends and how to work across markets in this complex environment.”
Damond is joined by health policy and regulatory experts with deep expertise in helping clients meet their public affairs, policy, and government affairs objectives. This team of talented individuals brings senior-level experience in government, political and consumer campaigns, communications, and government relations.
“It is a privilege to lead such an esteemed group of colleagues with a wide breadth of experience in the healthcare industry and a deep understanding of their regions, key stakeholders, policy challenges, and opportunities,” said EGA Health Chair, Joseph Damond. “I’m excited to be working with these leaders to advise clients as we shape change in the dynamic global healthcare environment.”
The EGA Global Health Policy and Public Affairs offering is based out of Washington, D.C. with locations in the United States, Canada, European Union, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East/Africa, and India.
About the EGA Health Policy and Public Affairs Team
Joseph M. Damond, EGA Healthcare Chair
Damond is a recognized policy and business leader with a track record that spans more than two decades in international government relations with a focus on healthcare, trade, and innovation issues. Washingtonian Magazine recently named him one of the most “Influential People Shaping Policy.” Prior to joining EGA, Damond served as Deputy Chief Policy Officer and Executive Vice President for International Affairs at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) where he developed the industry association’s program of international advocacy on healthcare, economic and trade issues, and foreign government relations policy. Before his work at BIO, Damond served as Vice President for International Government Relations for Pfizer and as Deputy Vice President for International Affairs at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Damond began his career as a senior trade official and negotiator, serving in many capacities, including Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and the Pacific.
Daniel Quiroga, Vice Chair, EGA Latin America
Quiroga has strong experience in Public Affairs, Crisis, Public Management, Government, and Corporate Affairs. He has held several government positions, including Director of Government and Strategic Areas of the Presidency of Colombia. Quiroga leads EGA and the Health Practice for Latin America, where he has provided strategic advice in public, government, and regulatory affairs to the major pharmaceutical companies and healthcare actors in the region.
David Rodier, Managing Director, EGA Canada
David Rodier is Managing Director, Corporate Communications at Edelman Global Advisory. He has 30 years of experience providing strategic, policy and communications counsel to senior leaders from the federal government, national non-governmental organizations, and business worlds. David has a broad practice area encompassing corporate communications, public affairs, message development, reputational management and thought leadership.
Paul Glover, Senior Advisor, EGA Canada
As a former senior civil servant, Glover brings over 36 years of experience to health issues. He has deep knowledge of health systems through his work at the federal level with provinces and territories on issues such as health accords. Glover has advised governments on key health policy files such as medical aid in dying, cannabis, and updates to key health legislation. He was responsible for the regulation of all consumer products, tobacco, alcohol, and controlled substances as well as all foods, drugs, and medical devices.
Pierre Cyr, Managing Director, EGA Canada
Cyr has over two decades of experience in health policy and has represented several pharmaceutical companies, national health agencies, and associations. Cyr previously worked closely with provincial ministries of health in his capacity as Director of Board and Stakeholder Relations at Canadian Blood Services. In addition to serving two Ontario Premiers, Cyr worked as a Senior Advisor to the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and has several articles published in the Hill Times and the Globe and Mail on health and pandemic-related topics.
Hong Ma, Managing Director, EGA Hong Kong
Ma aspires to forge partnerships across the entire healthcare ecosystem to advance equitable access for patients who are in need. Her experience comes from working with international healthcare companies and organizations to navigate policies and engage with partners in the APAC region, as well as her continued academic pursuits in public health research with leading institutions.
Ashley Brambles, SVP, EGA Canada
Brambles brings nearly two decades of experience within the health stakeholder and government relations sector, working at all three levels of government, public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She most recently led the communications, stakeholder, and government relations response to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine response at Ottawa Public Health, which led to her receiving the Key to the City of Ottawa for her efforts. Brambles’s experience and knowledge is focused on public health, health equity, mental health and well-being, and health system transformation – streamlining health, policy, and politics into one.
Chris Hedquist, SVP, Head of Health Policy and New Health Technologies
Hedquist brings over a decade of commercial and policy experience within the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, primarily working internationally for the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S. His experience includes planning and execution of global product/brand launches, market entry/expansion, government affairs with a focus on U.S. state policy, and strategy related to healthcare trends and innovation. Hedquist has worked in markets across Europe, Australia, and North America.
Vasudevan Rangarajen, SVP, EGA India
Rangarajen leads the Corporate Reputation practice out of New Delhi, India. He has over sixteen years of experience in diverse sectors including health, public affairs, journalism, finance and technology. He has extensive experience in developing and executing research, strategic stakeholder outreach, issues management and advocacy program implementation. Before joining Edelman, Rangarajan was a senior correspondent at Times Now, a 24-hour national news channel covering conflict, aviation, external affairs and defense, apart from engaging with leaders across the political spectrum.
Thomaz D'Addio, Director, EGA Brazil
D’Addio has more than ten years of experience in public affairs, government and institutional relations, crisis management, market entry, market access, and strategy development for clients such as Interfarma, Pfizer, Abbott, Novo Nordisk, and Biogen, among others. D’Addio has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Public Policy Management from the University of São Paulo and has an academic exchange at the University of Coimbra and a professional exchange in Washington, D.C.
Leah Van Houten, Director, EGA Canada
Van Houten brings 14 years of political, campaign, and government experience to EGA. She joined after working as a Senior Political Advisor to Canada’s Minister of Health and in several campaign and parliamentary roles including as the Manager of Planning to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from 2013-2016. Van Houten is an effective campaign strategist and trusted advisor who brings her comprehensive knowledge of Canada’s governments and political landscapes to help clients shape their strategies to successfully achieve their communications and public policy objectives.
ABOUT EDELMAN GLOBAL ADVISORY
Edelman Global Advisory (EGA) is a boutique firm providing business, government and advisory services to navigate today’s changing geopolitical and economic landscape. Based in Washington, D.C., EGA has deep expertise on the ground in the U.S. and Canada, APAC, MENA, Europe, Latin America and India. EGA’s team members work seamlessly with Edelman’s other 6,000+ world-class communications professionals to deliver truly integrated client services.