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.

Kristie Fischer

Executive Associate | Bristol-Myers Squibb

Outside of Kristie’s role at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), she is a Helping Hands Volunteer Program Administrator, coordinating employee engagement for service hours to charities. In 2017, more than 1,400 volunteers gave over 6,200 volunteer hours and participated in 65 events. Kristie also leads employee community outreach with the Salvation Army Backpack Drive, Bentley Community Services,

D.R. Foley

Senior Director for Facilities Development & Delivery | Eli Lilly and Company

As Lilly develops facilities plans across the country and worldwide, D.R. includes the Government Affairs team in the planning process to help understand assets on the ground in high-impact locations and how a policy shift might change the economic metrics of a decision. He has a deep knowledge of the industry, and when Lilly engages

Marilyn Foote-Hudson

Executive Director, North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation | GlaxoSmithKline

Marilyn Foote-Hudson has served as the executive director of the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation for over a decade, exhibiting leadership and dedication to the countless number of lives she has touched in the state. Marilyn supports and delivers science and health education programs across the state to those in kindergarten through high school. In addition,

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

Dr. Leonard Friedland

Vice President, Director Scientific Affairs and Public Health, Vaccines North America | GlaxoSmithKline

Dr. Friedland is a licensed pediatrician in Pennsylvania. Prior to joining GSK, he conducted his residency in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and his fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, also in Philadelphia. He helps develop vaccines for children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and during pregnancy. These include

Rodney Gillespie

(AstraZeneca) – Rodney advocates for policies and practices that help support patient health and access to medicines as a member of the Corporate Advisory Council for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), the 21st Century Council for the Congressional Black Caucus Institute (CBCI) and AZ’s Political Action Committee.

Zoya Girard

(Celgene) – Zoya serves as a “Celgene Ambassador” and lobbies for patient rights from Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC. By working with elected officials, she shares examples of how public policies can impact innovation and limit access to life changing medicines for patients who need it most.

Alok Goel

Senior Manager, HR Operations & Special Projects | Sanofi US

(Sanofi US) Alok has a passion for grassroots, civic engagement and health care policy. Al is one of the first to take action when employees are asked to make their voices heard by Congress. He has frequently visited legislators in their districts and even on Capitol Hill. In doing so, Al always draws on his

Adrienne Gonzalez

Senior Corporate Counsel of U.S. Commercial, Legal & Compliance | Bristol-Myers Squibb

Adrienne has spent most of her career as an attorney shaping an environment so patients have less barriers to access and companies have the opportunity to bring innovations to market. At the same time, she brought this same passion to her role as the first lead of the BMS Black Organization for Leadership & Development

J. Aaron Graham

Executive Director, Brand Safety and Security | Boehringer Ingelheim

(Boehringer Ingelheim) Aaron has engaged with Congressional members and the FDA on outreach to Hispanic groups about the dangers of purchasing counterfeit medications from unauthorized retailers. He also advocates on drug take-back programs, anti-counterfeiting and protection of BI’s extensive supply chain.