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.

Tracy Sims

Executive Director Lilly Diabetes and Lilly USA Communications | Eli Lilly and Company

Tracy is a member of Lilly’s Diabetes and Obesity Corporate Affairs team. They have made a significant impact in increasing access to evidence-based comprehensive obesity care. The team has helped reduce obesity related bias and stigma by engaging the policy community on the importance of person-first language, bias-free imagery, and achieving obesity care access parity.

Justin Sperry

VP, BTxPS Transformational Technology St. Louis, MO Site Lead, Pfizer Research & Development | Pfizer

Justin is the site lead of Pfizer’s St. Louis, MO office. For the last 15 years, Justin and his team have furthered the understanding of novel biotherapeutics, gene therapies, and vaccines within Pfizer’s R&D organization. There, he has hosted external partners to explain the vital role R&D plays in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Kimberly Storino

Head, U.S. IRA Planning and Implementation | GlaxoSmithKline

Kimberly serves as the project lead for GSK’s Inflation Reduction Act Planning and Implementation team, making her the single point of accountability. She coordinates GSK’s efforts to adapt to the law’s provisions and ensures the IRA’s impact is included in strategic and operating assessments. Kimberly also engages with government agencies and other groups to discuss

Helen Tarleton

Director, U.S. Employee and Community Engagement | UCB

Helen has helped build UCB’s external community-giving approach. She has long-term relationships with STEM organizations like BioBuilder, as well as organizations doing STEM work, like the Girl Scouts. She organizes service projects for UCB’s Atlanta employees and she even spent her volunteer days on a health mission trip in Honduras.

Dr. Yesmean Wahdan

Vice President Medical Affairs, Bayer's Women HealthCare Division | Bayer

Dr. Wahdan advocates for advancing the health of women through science, research and accessible treatment options. Over the past few years, she has become a valued partner of Bayer’s Government Affairs team. She plays a vital role in engaging stakeholders and policymakers at every level of government on the changing landscape in women’s health care.

Kate Wilson

Head of Health Equity for Patient Engagement, Equity and Transparency | Biogen

As a decisive advocate for clinical trial diversity, Kate has been an invaluable partner to Biogen’s Public Policy and Government Affairs team. She has helped spotlight key initiatives like Biogen’s partnership with the Morehouse School of Medicine and the launch of a new national minority trial index.

John Zieger

National Account Executive, P&OCS, Federal DOD-Tricare | Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS)

John Zieger, Federal Account Executive at Bristol Myers Squibb has been named a 2021 We Work For Health Champion. The award recognizes his commitment, both personally and professionally, to military service members and veterans. In his position at BMS, Zieger is a leader in the company’s relationship with the Department of Defense/Defense Health Agency; he