GeneDx

Communications as a Strategic Driver of Business Outcomes

Communications leaders are business leaders. We provide strategic counsel, bring an external perspective into the room and help shape how the business shows up in the world.

We understand how different stakeholders, in GeneDx's case patients, clinicians, partners, investors, policymakers, team members and the media, will experience a decision. That perspective helps leaders identify opportunities, anticipate challenges and ultimately drive better business outcomes.

At GeneDx, every conversation comes back to our mission: to empower everyone to live their healthiest life through genomics. One in 10 Americans has a rare disease, half of them are children and families wait an average of five years for a diagnosis, even though today, exome and genome sequencing can deliver answers in as little as 48 hours. Communications help bridge the gap between scientific innovation and real-world impact by ensuring people understand not just what we're doing, but why it matters.

Translating Scientific Rigor into Meaningful Conversations

Credibility first and foremost. GeneDx was spun out of the National Institutes of Health more than 25 years ago, and our foundation is rooted in scientific rigor. That credibility has been built over decades, and protecting it is essential to maintaining trust.

Communicating complex science also starts with understanding who you're trying to reach and why they should care. A clinician wants to understand the evidence and how it can inform care. An investor wants to understand the business impact. A policymaker wants to understand the implications for the healthcare system. A parent wants to know what it could mean for their child.

Our role is to make the science relevant without losing its rigor.

Combining Data, Patient Stories and Purpose

Healthcare communications are becoming more evidencedriven and more human at the same time. Data establishes credibility, but patient stories inspire understanding and action. The stories that standout are the ones that bring authentic patient experiences to life.

“ Communications leaders are business leaders. We help shape how the business shows up in the world. “

In genomics, we're at an exciting inflection point. The science and technology have advanced dramatically, but significant opportunities remain to increase awareness, access and adoption. Communications have an important role to play in helping clinicians, health systems, policymakers and families understand that earlier diagnosis isn't optional. An accurate genetic diagnosis changes care plans, improves outcomes for patients and families and helps avoid unnecessary costs across the healthcare system.

Our opportunity is to make the value of a diagnosis impossible to overlook and help turn scientific progress into meaningful change in healthcare.

The Leadership Mindset that Builds Trust

Learn from every experience you've had, regardless of the industry. I spent the majority of my career in media and entertainment before moving into biotech, and that experience continues to shape how I approach communications. It taught me the importance of understanding different audiences and recognizing that communications is constantly evolving. What worked for one company, or even at one moment in time, may not be the right approach today. The best leaders remain flexible, challenge their own playbooks and continuously evolve their strategies based on what will have the greatest impact for the business.

When you enter a new industry, there's tremendous value in listening and learning, but there's also value in bringing a fresh perspective. Sometimes organizations can get in their own way because something has always been done a certain way. Asking why, challenging assumptions and applying lessons from outside the industry can create new opportunities and move the business forward.

To build credibility, you have to understand the business, the market and the mission. But you should also recognize that your experiences are an asset. Bring a new perspective to the table, have a point of view and help the organization see what's possible.

Throughout my career, I've found that operating from a place of "yes" is one of the most valuable things a communications leader can do. I've tried to be someone who connects business strategy with the needs of external stakeholders, helping leaders anticipate how decisions will be understood while identifying opportunities others may not see. Being a trusted advisor means raising concerns when they matter while continually helping the business move forward.