May 11, 2021 – NEW YORK – Edelman is announcing today the appointment of multiple strategic hires in Health. Global appointments include Emma Lynn, Global Health Deputy, and Lynda Gordon, Global DXI Health lead. In the U.S., senior Health leads Marie Kennedy, Fred Petito, David Zitlow and Irma Gomez-Dib have joined.
These appointments come at a time of significant growth for Edelman Health. In the last year, the sector alone grew 10 percent year-over-year and is now one of the largest drivers of revenue for the firm.
“The Health sector has been at the center of the pandemic response globally, from urgently needed Covid-19 solutions and new ways to deliver patient care to addressing health inequities that have broad impacts and vaccine education,” said Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman. “Under the leadership of Kirsty Graham, and through the expertise of our expansive roster of specialists, Edelman Health has helped guide our clients through the numerous challenges of this past year.”
Lynn will serve as Global Health Deputy, starting May 4. In this role, Lynn will advance global client strategy and deliver integrated health programs, drawing upon her expertise across corporate and public affairs, government relations and ESG. Prior to joining Edelman, Lynn was with Pfizer for 16 years, most recently leading the Corporate Affairs Department in the UK. With a career originating in communications, before joining Pfizer she held roles at GSK as well as Burson-Marsteller. Lynn will report to Graham.
Gordon joined May 10 as EVP, Global Data x Intelligence Health lead. Previously, she led Merkle’s Health Analytics capability, with a focus on understanding customers and customer journeys to support marketing performance through delivery of people-based marketing. Gordon has 20+ years of global experience in healthcare analytics in both life sciences (Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Sanofi Aventis, Abbvie) and health insurance (Anthem, EmblemHealth). Prior to Merkle, Lynda led analytics for IMS. She will report to Yannis Kotziagkiaouridis, Global Chief Data and Analytics Officer.
As Global Chair, Edelman Health, Graham oversees Edelman’s specialized Health offering around the world, which includes the U.S., EMEA, APAC, LatAm and Canadian regions.
“In the U.S., our experts in Health bring our global approach to health specialization to life,” said Courtney Gray Haupt, U.S. Chair. “Our senior bench oversees some of Edelman’s largest clients across the health sector, representing the expertise, strategy and nuance needed for the complexity of today’s health needs.”
Kennedy joins Edelman’s U.S. Health leadership team and will lead market strategy and operations for West Coast Health. She will serve as senior lead for biotechnology and providers, bringing with her deep and diverse expertise across the biotechnology, health systems and provider spaces. Prior to joining Edelman, Kennedy served as the CCO for West Health and had prior communications leadership roles at Dignity Health, Amgen, Genentech and Baxter International. Kennedy is reporting to Gray Haupt.
Petito leads Digital Health across the U.S. With over 20 years’ experience leading change, growing brands, building teams that deliver results at the intersection of marketing, consumer behavior and digital media, Petito has developed strategic programs for life science brands at GSW, VMLY&R and Ogilvy Health, as well as serving as Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer at Guidemark Health and Eveo. Petito is reporting to Pam Scheideler, U.S. Head of Digital.
Zitlow leads Edelman’s integrated corporate health offerings across the U.S., in addition to the Health team and operations in Chicago. He brings 30 years of diverse experience across pharma, life sciences and medical technology, guiding businesses and brands through periods of high-growth, transformation and crisis. In addition to public affairs, marketing and sales roles at both global corporations and early-stage health companies, he has held agency leadership positions at Golin, Burson-Marsteller and Spectrum Science Communications. Zitlow is reporting to Gray Haupt.
Gomez-Dib joins Edelman Health to lead client engagements across the firm’s expanding corporate health portfolio. With two decades of advising C-suite and senior communications executives across biotechnology, pharma and medical device and diagnostics companies, she has expertise in successfully aligning strategic communications programs with organizational objectives. Most recently, she served as a senior director at FTI Consulting. Gomez-Dib reports to Zitlow.
“This last year has shown us how quickly the sector can adapt to change,” said Graham. “Now we are helping clients address health inequities, meet the far broader expectations of transparency and address the intersections of issues impacting global health like climate change, pandemic preparedness and ESG. Earning and protecting the trust of a diversity of stakeholders is at the center of our work at Edelman Health, with our specialists leading on the nuances across the sector.”