Q4 PA&E Roundtable Event: Beyond the Walk

Erin Murphy is a corporate affairs executive with two decades of experience shaping communications and advocacy strategies across the biopharmaceutical industry. She has built and led highimpact programs that help organizations strengthen their reputations, engage meaningfully with patient communities, and advance missions centered on improving lives.

She currently leads global strategy and partnerships for the Alagille Syndrome Alliance. Prior to ALGSA, Erin was head of corporate affairs at Mirum Pharmaceuticals, where she built and oversaw corporate communications and patient advocacy. Before Mirum, she held a similar role at Dermira. Earlier experience included communications roles at Pharmacyclics (now AbbVie) and Onyx Pharmaceuticals.

She has been recognized for her industry contributions through awards including “Marketer of the Year” by PM360, “Women of Distinction” by MM+M, “ELITE 100” by PM360, and “Rare Champion of Hope” by Global Genes.

Erin received a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Arizona State University.

Jonathan Naylor leads Patient Advocacy at Disc Medicine, where he works alongside communities living with rare blood disorders. He has spent nearly a decade working across big pharma and biotech and has landed on a fairly simple view of this work: patient advocacy only really matters if it changes decisions. In practice that means bringing the patient voice into the room early and making its case for consideration in language the business understands. It also means being honest with patient partners about what is possible and how they can best work together in the interest of patients. He believes the best patient communication materials are built with patients, not just for them. After all, people living day-to-day with a disease can spot a sentence written by pharma alone from a mile away.

A pharmacist (pharmD) by training and an Alabama native, Jonathan learned from his dad, a mechanic, that showing up with the right tools and a willingness to work hard is more than half the battle. He’s found that, in Patient Advocacy, the other half of that battle is listening with intent and asking questions even if you’re worried you’ll sound dumb. He now lives in the Minneapolis suburbs with his wife (Cynthia), their baby boy (Benji), and a Border Collie mix (Lilo) – who he says is probably the smartest animal in the house. Although Benji is catching up quickly!

Lauren Walrath is a strategic executive with nearly 20 years of experience leading corporate communications, public affairs, and patient advocacy for global and early-stage pharmaceutical organizations. Throughout her career, she has shaped the messaging, integrated marketing, and communications plans companies need to effectively navigate periods of rapid growth and transformation.

​As Vice President of Public Affairs for Kyowa Kirin North America (“KKNA,” 2019-2025), Lauren started and maintained a range of internal and external communications programs to support the North America region as it grew from $275M to >$1B in annual revenue. Lauren initiated the company’s use of social media and patient ambassador programs, PR and media relations. Internally, she co-led culture initiatives – using employee events, newsletters and executive forums to keep people informed about strategic initiatives and organizational developments. Lauren also partnered with more than 20 patient advocacy groups to develop campaigns and research addressing the overlooked and underserved patient needs.

​Prior to KKNA, Lauren was instrumental in Aquestive Therapeutics’ corporate branding, IPO and first commercial product launch. She also brings a wealth of experience from various roles with Bristol Myers Squibb, in advertising agencies (Entrée Health, Cossette Post, Ogilvy, DMB&B), and as the principal / founder of her own consultancy, Versed in Communications.

​Lauren joined Organon as the Head of US Communications – overseeing all internal, external and product communications.

​Lauren holds an MBA from Columbia Business School (2006) and a BS from Penn State College of Communications / Schreyer Honors College (1997). She lives with her husband, two kids, and a mini Bernedoodle in Pennington, NJ.