The International Society for Patient Engagement Professionals (ISPEP), a global not-for-profit organisation, has announced the appointment of a distinguished group of leaders to its Advisory Board. This diverse cohort will help guide ISPEP’s strategic direction and strengthen its mission to advance the professionalisation and impact of patient engagement worldwide.
The Advisory Board brings together perspectives from the biopharma sponsor, CRO, and consultancy industry sectors, patient advocacy, academia, health systems, and regulatory bodies. Members will advise on ISPEP’s priorities, support the development of global initiatives, and champion the vital role of patient engagement professionals across medicines development, health and research ecosystems.
“The establishment of this Advisory Board marks an important milestone in ISPEP’s evolution as the professional home for patient engagement,” said Alexandra Charge, Chief Executive Officer, ISPEP. “This group represents a shared commitment to collaboration, ethics, and excellence, ensuring that ISPEP continues to lead the professionalisation of patient engagement globally. Their collective expertise will help us translate vision into measurable, real-world impact for professionals and patients alike.”
“We’re delighted to welcome such an exceptional group of leaders to the ISPEP Advisory Board,” said Emma Sutcliffe, Founder and Chief Patient Officer of ISPEP. “Their expertise and insight will help us carry the change forward – amplifying the voice of engagement professionals and embedding patient perspectives into systems globally.”
Advisory Board members
The newly appointed Advisory Board members are:
- Najeeb Ashraf, President Unified Diabetes Awareness & Advocacy Network, and CEO and Managing Director SciVoc Consulting, Canada
- Beth Brooks, Head (Director) Patient Insights and Behavioral Sciences, Sanofi, US
- Danielle Drachman, Founder Ketotic Hypoglycemia International, and Senior Patient Partnering Manager Thermo Fisher Scientific, Denmark
- Ana Marija Gjurovic, Senior Strategic Planning Director Patient and Site Centric Solutions, Global Clinical Development IQVIA, Croatia
- David LeDuc, Senior Director Global Oncology Policy and Advocacy AstraZeneca, US
- Begoña Nafria, Head of Patient Engagement SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital, Spain
- Lisa Petermann, Chief Patient Experience Officer Hoffmann-La Roche, Canada
- Gudula Petersen, Global Patient Engagement Lead Grünenthal (retired), Germany
- Eda Selebasto, Founder/Chairperson Botswana Organisation for Rare Diseases, Botswana
- Sharon Suchotliff, Partner, Patient Centricity, ZS, US.
Advisory Board member reflections
Both Lisa Petermann and Gudula Petersen shared their enthusiasm for joining the Advisory Board:
“ISPEP’s mission deeply resonates with my own professional values,” said Lisa Petermann. “Supporting the growth of a connected, skilled, and empowered community of engagement professionals is vital for sustainable change, and I’m pleased to help guide that journey as a member of the Advisory Board.”
“I’m honoured to be part of ISPEP’s Advisory Board,” added Gudula Petersen. “ISPEP is creating a strong professional community for those driving meaningful and impactful patient engagement, and I’m excited to contribute to shaping this important work globally.”
A rigorous and inclusive selection process
The Advisory Board was established through a public call for applications and a structured global recruitment process designed to ensure diverse experience, expertise and perspectives.
“We undertook a robust application and selection process to assemble the Advisory Board,” explained Zoe Healey, ISPEP Advisory Board Chair. “Our goal was to reflect the breadth of the patient engagement field – geographically, professionally, and thematically. The result is a group of leaders who will help ISPEP grow strategically, impactfully and inclusively.”
The Advisory Board operates in an advisory capacity and does not participate in ISPEP’s financial or legal governance decisions, which remain under the authority of the Executive Leadership Team.
Sustaining impact through learning and partnership
As a not-for-profit organisation, ISPEP is committed to supporting, connecting, and advancing the growing global community of patient engagement professionals by providing professional skills development and leadership opportunities. It delivers content, thought leadership, tools and guidance through initiatives such as the online community hub. Its initiatives are funded through membership fees and sponsorship partnerships, governed transparently and independently from advisory functions, ensuring that ISPEP can continue to build accessible, high-quality resources and live learning and connection opportunities for professionals worldwide.
ISPEP’s strategy is to expand these core offerings into structured training and certification, and further embed best industry learning and practice through strategic sponsorship and partnership engagements with leading companies in this field. Its work is further enhanced through an international network of Ambassadors embedding a fully global view of patient engagement practice and application.
With more than 2,500 members and member associates across 60 countries, ISPEP’s work is driven by its community and strengthened through collaborative partnerships that share a common vision: connecting and protecting the essential work of patient engagement professionals to amplify and evidence the patient voice in clinical research, drug development, and healthcare delivery, setting the standard for patient-focused practices internationally and across all stakeholders accountable for patient engagement in the life sciences and healthcare sectors.
About ISPEP
The International Society for Patient Engagement Professionals (ISPEP) is the global not-for-profit organisation committed to professionalising and advancing patient engagement across medicines development, health and research ecosystems. We exist to support patient engagement professionals through standards, capability-building and a strong, values-driven community. As a not-for-profit, ISPEP prioritises transparency, inclusivity and long-term impact.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Emma Sutcliffe
emmasutcliffe@ispephub.org
ispephub.org