Hi!

We're kicking off our T2B forum recap series with our thoughts on “Expanding Communicator Influence Across Biopharma Decision-Making Functions,” a session with Mimi Lee (ARPA-H), Julie Masow (BioNTech), Sandy Pound (Thermo Fisher), and Katie Joyce (Alkermes) that had people buzzing in the hallway afterward.

We brought together communicators from different parts of our industry to dig into something we’re all navigating: how to continue moving beyond being the “press release person” and influencing the decisions that actually matter.

Funny story: we almost called this panel something about “communicator influencers,” until we realized that sounds like we’re trying to be TikTok famous. We scrapped that fast. What we really meant was: how do we influence decisions that shape business strategy? And, ideally, how do we become a decision-making function ourselves?

We also pushed our panelists to skip the corporate gloss and talk about the real stuff. What it feels like to be the only comms person in a room full of scientists and execs. How you build credibility when you're not the loudest voice. What happens when you say the hard thing and wonder if you just tanked your career.

They showed up. Here’s what stuck with us:

What Really Builds Influence

• You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. It’s about understanding the business well enough that your comms counsel is seen as strategy, and not spin.
• The in-between moments matter. A walk to a meeting. A few minutes after a media interview. Those small windows are often when trust gets built.
• "Slow, constant pressure" works. Not everything needs to be a bold move. Influence often builds through consistency and context.
• Sometimes you have to risk being unpopular. One panelist shared a moment when she spoke up against a short-term plan that would’ve damaged long-term trust. She wasn’t sure if it would cost her the job, but she did it anyway … and it worked.

What to Actually Do About It

• Meet people where they are. Not novel, but a needed reminder. Some execs want deep prep. Others want bullet points. Your process has to flex.
• Offer paths, not ultimatums. Saying “here are three ways we could do this” is more effective than trying to force your favored option.
• Keep a running list of asks. Those rare windows of access are valuable; be ready and don’t waste them.
• Have the uncomfortable conversations. Especially the ones no one else wants to touch. That’s where influence shows up.

What We're Watching

• Our job descriptions don’t reflect our reality. Many of us are already advising on business strategy. We’re just not always recognized for it.
• Metrics only go so far. What leadership wants to see is real impact: moving the business, protecting credibility, building trust. (Spoiler alert: We’ll be diving deeper as part of T2B’s upcoming July theme.)
• The pace is relentless. But that also means opportunity. We need to be sharper about how we show up, where we focus, and how we earn the space to speak.

When we started planning this panel, we knew we wanted different perspectives. But more than that, we wanted people who’d be honest about what it takes to build real influence.

What surprised us most was how open people were. Maybe it’s because so many of us are feeling the same pressures right now. Or maybe it’s just this community. Either way, it reminded us how powerful these conversations can be when people feel safe enough to tell the truth.

More recaps (and pics!) coming soon. In the meantime, we’d love to hear what’s stuck with you, or what you’re still figuring out in your own journey toward influence.

Thanks for being part of this,

Lynnea & Michelle

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