Our list of recent hires and promotions in key positions at Pharma, Life Sciences, and Healthcare companies.
AbelsonTaylor Group Appoints
Antonio Rivera Director of Engagement Strategy
Leading healthcare advertising and marketing firm AbelsonTaylor Group has hired Antonio Rivera, a seasoned omnichannel engagement expert, as Director of Engagement Strategy. He will create dynamic engagement strategies for a diverse range of clients, building powerful connections between brands and their audiences, and helping provide measurable business success for clients. “Antonio is a dynamic and insightful engagement strategist who loves diving into data to uncover the stories that inspire the imaginations of his team and his clients,” said Amy Restko, Group Director of Engagement Strategy.. “His dedication to his work, combined with strong leadership skills and a compassionate curiosity about the human condition, make him an outstanding addition to our team and company.”
Imre Adds Key Talent to Client Experience with the Addition of SVPs, Melanie LaRosa and Tom Baldwin
Imre has appointed Melanie LaRose and Tom Baldwin as Senior Vice Presidents of Client Experience, strengthening a historically strong Client Experience practice. This comes as the brand engagement agency continues its aim at increasing agency-of-record assignments among healthcare and specialty pharmaceutical brands. “Melanie and Tom bring a wealth of experience, leadership and brand stewardship that aligns with our vision for the future of Client Experience at Imre. Melanie’s expertise across healthcare categories and her passion for transforming brand strategies will elevate our work, and Tom’s success in leading omnichannel strategies and launching breakthrough campaigns positions us to expand our footprint and deliver even more value to clients. Together, they will drive innovation and help Imre thrive in the evolving healthcare landscape,” said Scott Tucker, Chief Client Officer.
Abata Therapeutics
This clinical-stage biotech company, focused on transforming lives with Treg therapies for severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, has appointed Joanne Beck, Ph.D., as Chief Technical Officer. Dr. Beck is a seasoned biotech executive with more than 30 years of experience across large pharma and early-stage biotech in the areas of CMC, product development, clinical and commercial manufacturing, product launch, and continuous improvement. She has worked across modalities and therapeutic areas, including cell and gene therapy and immunology. She has also contributed to more than 50 investigational new drug and clinical trial application filings.
Affinia Therapeutics
Affinia Therapeutics has appointed Rami Daoud, M.B.A., as Chief Business and Financial Officer. Daoud is an accomplished biopharmaceutical business executive who is passionate about bringing to market innovative therapeutics aimed at saving lives and improving the health of patients globally. He has more than 25 years’ professional and senior leadership experience working at large pharmaceutical and biotech companies in both public and private sectors including Amarin Corporation, Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly & Company, and Human Genome Sciences.
Apollo Intelligence
Tal Rosenberg—formerly of Datavant and IQVIA—has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Intelligence, a leading global provider of high-quality, realtime insights to the life sciences and healthcare industries. With 25 years of experience driving highperforming healthcare technology and analytic businesses, Rosenberg will accelerate Apollo’s digital transformation to bring realtime insights to customers.
Avalere Health
One year after its Fishawack Health rebrand, Avalere Health nabs Inizio Evoke alum Corrina Safeio as its new President of Global Marketing and Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications. She’s a 25-year veteran of working both for agencies and on the client side, holding roles at Inzio Evoke, Mind+Matter, and Pegasus. In her new role, she will oversee Avalere’s global marketing team to build meaningful connections and create customized strategic solutions for clients, ultimately driving growth and leading to new opportunities for the organization.
Avania
Avania—a leading global MedTech CRO that provides product development, market access, and clinical contract research services—has appointed Jason Monteleone as President and CEO. Monteleone is a MedTech industry leader, who brings over 25 years of experience in the CRO, medical device, and life sciences sectors. With the appointment, he will further enhance growth initiatives, deepen therapeutic specializations, and increase innovation at Avania.
Davies
Davies—a leading specialist professional services and technology company—has appointed Paul O’Brien, its current Chief Technology Officer, as the firm’s first Chief AI Officer. The newly created role is one of a series of investments made to leverage innovation and capitalize on the value of artificial intelligence, including the use of generative AI. As Chief AI Officer, O’Brien will be responsible for advancing the use of AI technology across the organization, developing a core strategy for the ethical use, and to expand on GenAI technologies across products and services that will drive additional value for the firm’s global client base.
Deerfield Group
One of the fastest-growing independent marketing and communications partners for healthcare and life sciences companies, Deerfield Group, has appointed two industry veterans to its executive leadership team. Bob Josefsberg, formerly of Karuna Therapeutics and Chamberlain Healthcare PR, will take on the role of Executive Vice President of Communications. Guy Varady, formerly of Omnicom Health Group and IPG Health, is now Executive Vice President of Integrated Marketing.
GrandPad
GrandPad, the leading technology company dedicated to safe, user-friendly devices for seniors, has appointed Grace Dolan as its new Chief Marketing Officer. In her new role, Dolan will lead key commercial levers including marketing, sales, digital, and e-commerce, focusing on consumer experience, brand awareness, and launching innovation.
TriArm Therapeutics
TriArm Therapeutics, a clinicalstage, next-generation cell therapy company leveraging its global presence and core non-viral platform to advance and democratize CAR-T therapy for patients worldwide, has appointed Douglas E. Williams, Ph.D. as Chief Executive Officer. Most recently, Dr. Williams served as the President of Research and Development at Sana Biotechnology, where he led efforts across the company’s pipeline of gene and cell-based therapies. Prior to joining Sana, he was the founding Chief Executive Officer of Codiak BioSciences.
Pacvue
Pacvue—a leading commerce acceleration platform that integrates retail media, commerce operations, actionable insights and measurement—has appointed Rahul Choraria, currently Chief Operating Officer, as Chief Executive Officer of Pacvue. Sandeep Kella, co-founder and CEO since 2019, has been appointed to Executive Chairman of the Board to oversee the overall strategic direction of the company, alongside two new highprofile board appointees, Harry Shum and David Karnstedt.
