Sally Susman

EVP & Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Pfizer
US

Over the past four years, Susman has been responsible for helping her company face one of the most critical and complex public relations challenges in history, defending not only Pfizer but also the safety of vaccines and medicine—and even the credibility of science itself. Having spearheaded Pfizer’s outreach to employees and consumers, regulators and activists on both sides of the political divide throughout the record-setting development of the Covid vaccine, Susman dealt with both high expectations and profound skepticism—even outright hostility. The feat earned her a PRovoke Media 2022 SABRE award for individual achievement.

Susman is a staunch advocate of the view that only earned media can deliver the authenticity and credibility that companies need to build reputation, particularly critical amid such challenges. “If we pay, it’s immediately tainted,” she said, addressing the loss of public trust in big pharmaceutical companies. Susman’s book “Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World,” published in March 2023, addresses what it takes to use messaging to make positive change. Susman has also invested in efforts such as the “Maintain” program, which offered free prescriptions to patients laid off during the economic crisis, or the company’s award-winning push into social media—which many pharma companies continue to regard with suspicion.

As EVP of corporate affairs for the world’s largest biopharmaceutical company, Susman is a member of Pfizer’s executive leadership team, chairs Pfizer’s political action committee — she was a prominent fundraiser for former President Obama — and is vice chair of The Pfizer Foundation. She directs Pfizer’s global communications, its interactions with external and internal audiences, its public affairs activities, and its corporate responsibility group.

Before joining Pfizer in 2007, Susman was EVP of global communications at The Estée Lauder Companies. She also held several senior communications and government relations posts at American Express and earlier spent eight years in government service focused on international trade issues.

Can you share a moment in your career when you saw PR's direct impact on business performance?

When I was leading corporate affairs and communications for American Express in Europe, the company filed a lawsuit against our competitors for anti-consumer practices. The media and public affairs strategy led to a quick and positive resolution.

What are the communications industry's biggest challenges and opportunities in the year ahead?
One of the biggest challenges we face as a society is disinformation. As communicators, it is our responsibility to seek out truth and act as bridge builders for civil discourse.

What have you most admired about the communications industry over the past year, and what has disappointed you?
I deeply admire the quality and passion of those who chose a communications career. I’m disappointed that we’ve been unable to achieve greater racial diversity in our field.

What work from your team are you most proud of over the past year?
Our work with Direct Relief to combat the opioid crisis was recently highlighted through a partnership with USA Today and won five Telly Awards.

How have you switched off from work and maintained wellness over the past year?
Walking to Pfizer’s new headquarters in Hudson Yards in the mornings gives me 30 minutes to reflect, focus, or simply listen to birdsong.

Which book/movie/TV show/podcast/playlist/other cultural source has helped you get through the past year or provided inspiration?
Anything by or about Jimmy Carter, including his book ‘A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety’.

If I wasn't working in marketing/communications, I would be...
On the golf course.