Agatha Newman is a healthcare leader with global expertise delivering innovative and impactful communications strategies that contribute to the improvement of people’s lives. A recognized thought partner, Agatha is a strategic problem solver, inspirational team leader, and a passionate storyteller with a proven track record of digesting complex information into actionable strategies that influence behavior change, elevate reputation and deliver measurable impact and outcomes.
In her current role, Agatha leads communications for Astellas within the Medical & Development organization, working closely with the Chief Medical Officer and the M&D leadership team. She is responsible for ensuring organizational alignment and positioning as a partner of choice. She oversees activities that support the early and mid-stage pipeline, executive communications, employee engagement, and media relations activities.
In previous roles, Agatha led global brand communications at a leading biopharmaceutical company, responsible for communication strategies around its top revenue-generating immunology therapy and specialty care brands in neonatology, neurology, and HIV. In those roles, she was responsible for working with broad, cross-functional global brand teams to develop launch strategies, disease awareness campaigns, and issues management planning.
Agatha’s experience spans a variety of industries outside healthcare, including technology, consumer packaged goods, retail, manufacturing, and financial services. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies including P&G, Kraft Foods, ExxonMobil, Anheuser Busch, and MasterCard in a variety of capacities, including: event/celebrity sponsorship, issues/crisis management, media relations, influencer engagement, and executive communication.
Agatha graduated magna cum laude from St. Louis University with a double major in communication and marketing from the Olin School of Business. She serves on the board of trustees for the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park and Tuesday’s Child, a behavioral training program for at-risk adolescents and their families.
A native St. Louisan, Agatha currently lives in Park Ridge, Ill., with her husband, three sons (Teddy – 7, Sam – 5, Rhys – 19 mos) and sweet golden retriever Liberty. She still pines for toasted ravioli but has adapted her palate to the Chicago-style pizza. No malort though, please.