Meet our 2021 Employee Champions. We recognize individuals who strive to advance science and support innovation so that patients around the world can get the medicines and treatments they need. This year’s recipients have demonstrated commitment and resiliency that goes above and beyond expectations.

Phil Bonasia

Head of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences | Sunovion

Phil is the Head of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Sunovion, but he also takes the time to participate in “State Researcher Fly-In Days.” Before these events, he takes the time to research the legislators he will meet and then develops the key points for each meeting. His research experience has impacted multiple meetings in

Miguel Camargo

External Innovation Lead and Head of Targeted Protein Degradation Platform | UCB

Going beyond his responsibilities as a researcher and leader, Miguel is extremely active in UCB’s public affairs and PAC activities. He is a leader in local/state activities and engagements with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Association and is focused on expanding UCB’s presence in the state. Furthermore, he has led a group of local, state and

Danielle Fowler

Research Scientist | Boehringer Ingelheim

Danielle started as an intern at Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) and worked her way up to a lab manager, where she now trains the next generation of scientists. Over the past two years, Danielle has helped spearhead R&D support for facility tours at the U.S. headquarters, showing federal and state policymakers first-hand the important work that

John Hoffman

Head of Health Policy & Advocacy | Johnson & Johnson

As the Head of Health Policy and Advocacy, John works to protect patient access by collaborating with both advocacy groups and with the J&J Government Affairs and Policy team. The Brooks Group ADVOCATE report has recognized Mr. Hoffman and his colleagues as leaders of advocacy relations in the pharmaceutical industry.

Chris Leibman

Senior Vice President, Value and Access | Biogen

In addition to his role at Biogen, Chris and his team are an essential resource to the company’s Public Policy and Government Affairs (PPGA) team. Chris and his team developed Biogen’s Pricing and Access Principles, which is a guiding post for Biogen with a focus on the value to patients, society, innovation, value, and affordability

Brendan Monahan

Associate Director, HSE&BCM, Risk Management | Novartis

Brendan and the Novartis Emergency Management team was called into action to lead the company’s U.S. COVID-19 response team. His tasks included procuring and delivering 125,000 face coverings, 16,000 thermometers and 5,000 field force kits (masks, gloves, sanitizer, wipes). He also monitored and coordinated differing regulatory compliance requirements across 50 states while instituting an active

Christopher Otto

Sr. Director, Clinical Laboratory Sciences | Eli Lilly and Company

Chris is currently the Senior Director for Clinical Laboratory Sciences with over 25 years of experience with Eli Lilly and Company. Chris and Dr. Janelle Sabo helped develop Indiana’s largest COVID-19 reference lab that helped the state almost immediately increase its testing capacity from approximately 300 tests per day to 30,000 tests per day.

Jeff Perdue

Sr. Regional Director, Account Management, Cell Therapy | Bristol Myers Squibb

Outside of his role as a Senior Regional Director, Jeff frequently represents Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) at meetings and events with federal and state elected officials and with other key policymaker stakeholders. He is a passionate advocate for the patients the industry serves. He has been instrumental in getting his colleagues involved by recruiting new

Dr. Janelle Sabo

Sr. Director, Clinical Systems and Supply Plan | Eli Lilly and Company

Dr. Janelle A. Sabo currently leads clinical systems, supply and innovation within the Clinical Design, Delivery, and Analytics division, enabling clinical development from early discovery through commercialization. She helped develop Indiana’s largest COVID-19 reference lab and the state’s largest drive through testing facility. Along with Chris Otto, she assisted in building a lab design strategy

Christine Smith

VP & Head of the Pfizer Biotherapeutics and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department/Chesterfield, MO Site Leader | Pfizer Inc

Christine leads Pfizer’s Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences (BTx Pharm Sci) with five global sites and is accountable for overseeing and providing strategic direction and operational implementation for aspects of advancing the Pfizer biologics and vaccines clinical portfolio. Earlier this year, she joined Missouri Governor Mike Parson during his daily COVID-19 briefing and highlighted the role the