Emily B. Donaldson
Georgetown
Summary
Dynamic policy leader with a proven track record of impactful external affairs campaigns, and exceptional business acumen that increased portfolio revenue by $1 million in less than a year. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, I excel in crafting impactful advocacy and policy communication strategies, and fostering collaboration across teams to influence health policy effectively. Internal executive leaders, federal and state policymakers, and market access colleagues appreciate my knack for getting to the "so what" of exceptionally weedy policy issues, and then implementing clear strategies.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Avalere Health
08.2024 - Current
- Lead Advisory Policy Practice’s commercial market, state policy, and 340B portfolios to develop client policy, advocacy, and market access strategies.
- Increased portfolio revenue by $1 million within one year, and raised Avalere Health's visibility in previously untapped markets through targeted initiatives.
- Regularly engage with journalists to provide insights and explanations, elevating industry presence.
- Authored publications and delivered public presentations that rank among the top 10 for views across the enterprise.
Director, US Policy, Government Affairs
AbbVie
Washington
06.2023 - 08.2024
- Strategic priority lead for Medicare maximum fair price, state drug pricing, PBM, and 340B initiatives.
- Executed successful communications campaigns that prevented state-level price controls on critical products.
- Championed federal legislative proposals that reinforced enterprise objectives.
- Managed portfolios for State Issues, Commercial Market Channel, and Medicaid.
- Analyzed legislation and regulations while coordinating advocacy strategies across business units.
- Engaged with Congressional offices and internal stakeholders to advocate policy positions effectively.
- Led discussions on data privacy and AI to formulate enterprise viewpoints on key issues.
Deputy Vice President, Policy and Research Department
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
Washington
08.2017 - 06.2023
- Led commercial health insurance and state issues teams to develop policy and advocacy strategies that influenced policymakers and the public.
- Served as subject matter expert in Congressional and state legislative meetings and hearings.
- Collaborated with US and International PhRMA departments to provide public testimony and analysis.
- Developed sustainable policy positions through work groups of member companies on high-priority issues.
- Ensured alignment of positions between state, federal, and international advocacy teams.
- Identified gaps in existing research and implemented effective solutions.
Director, State Policy
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
Washington
10.2014 - 08.2017
- Assembled and led teams of policy and government affairs professionals on projects that influenced state and federal policy across the health sector, including Drug Pricing Transparency.
- Created strategy and advocacy documents, including model legislation, white papers, and effective talking points on a range of issues, including state and federal mandates and regulations, proprietary health data and all payer claims databases, and prescription drug spending.
- Developed and represented Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association policy and advocacy positions with internal and external stakeholders, including drug pricing transparency measures eventually passed in over a dozen states.
- Responsible for legislative policy analysis of relevant measures introduced in all states and intersection with federal policy.
- Published an Annual Report of Legislative Healthcare and Insurance Issues and regular editorials on policy issues and initiatives for Association and Plan communications.
- Improved communications with Association and Plan personnel by developing new processes for sharing data and policy trends.
Public Policy Counsel, Government Affairs
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
Columbia
02.2011 - 10.2014
- Coordinated policy interests of multiple business and legal units, including health insurers and Medicare and Medicaid information technology subsidiaries to develop policy and advocacy strategies.
- Directed research team and contract lobbyist activity and advocated for policy positions with key Congressional office, and state legislators/executive agency personnel.
- Advised senior/executive staff on legislative and regulatory interpretation and impact.
- Responsible for procurement and campaign finance compliance in multiple states.
- Drafted talking points; lobbying materials; legislation; and documents for comment periods during regulation implementation processes.
- Reviewed and analyzed state and federal legislation, proposed regulations, and policy/political trends for any impact to parent company and subsidiaries.
Staff Counsel, Office of Senate Research
South Carolina Senate
Columbia
01.2009 - 02.2011
- Advised legislators on legislative and legal matters, including analysis of healthcare and health reform proposals.
- Assisted in preparation of legal briefs and drafted legislation.
- Provided research to legislators and staff on both legal and constitutional matters.
Education
Juris Doctor -
University of South Carolina, School of Law
Columbia, SC05.2009
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
Columbia College
Columbia, SC05.2003
Skills
- Advocacy strategy
- Policy analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
- Communication strategy
- Data analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Negotiation
Affiliations
South Carolina Bar, 2009 – present
Fairfax County Human Services Council, 2017 – 2019
Board of Directors – Pathways to Healing, South Carolina, 2012 – 2014
Timeline
Principal
Avalere Health
08.2024 - Current
Director, US Policy, Government Affairs
AbbVie
06.2023 - 08.2024
Deputy Vice President, Policy and Research Department
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
08.2017 - 06.2023
Director, State Policy
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
10.2014 - 08.2017
Public Policy Counsel, Government Affairs
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
02.2011 - 10.2014
Staff Counsel, Office of Senate Research
South Carolina Senate
01.2009 - 02.2011
Juris Doctor -
University of South Carolina, School of Law
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
Columbia College
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