Kyra Obolensky Takes Charge as APCO's Europe Health Lead in Brussels

APCO has named Kyra Obolensky as Europe Health Lead, increasing the company’s leadership capabilities within the healthcare and life science advisory realm. Working out of Brussels, Kyra will head the APCO Europe healthcare advisory practice, as well as helping the firm develop its Global Health practice further.

Kyra has more than two decades of experience in government affairs, policy strategy, communications, and crisis communications, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. With her deep sector expertise, she will help APCO advice healthcare organizations on how to react to changing regulatory environments, policy priorities, stakeholder dynamics and reputational issues in Europe.

Key Highlights:

• Kyra Obolensky becomes APCO’s Europe Health Lead in Brussels
• She will lead European healthcare advisory and strengthen Global Health
• She brings over 20 years of healthcare policy and communications expertise

Prior to APCO, Kyra served as a leader of global policies and communications in companies like Sanofi, Galapagos, and AstraZeneca where she focused on healthcare policies, advocacy, and strategic communications.

“I am thrilled to be joining APCO, a recognised leader in policy and advocacy work globally and in Europe. Thanks to the firm’s clear focus and investment over recent years, the team is well positioned to advise clients at the intersection of societal, business and policy issues, which requires more depth, data and analysis than ever before. One thing I’m looking forward to is going deeper with Margy, not just working with what already exists across healthcare and pharma, but contributing to the next generation of the platform, so it serves our European and global clients even better,” said Kyra.

Throughout her professional journey, Kyra has managed to develop and drive international policy advocacy programs and disease prioritization campaigns. Further adding to her accomplishments, she has also served as an executive advisor for two global CEOs and handled communications for a wide range of corporate, business-sensitive and crisis-related issues.

Besides her corporate background, Kyra also boasts over a decade of experience in consultancy and advisory services in regulated industries and public policy organizations. Her involvement with agencies such as the European Commission and World Health Organisation has made her well acquainted with the intricacies of working in a policy setting and within stakeholder systems. Such an array of corporate, consultancy, and public sector experience enhances her capability to make policy issues into business strategies.

Mathew Shearman, global chair of APCO’s Health practice said, “Healthcare executives are relying on APCO’s advisors to help them secure business-critical wins with globally connected strategies that move stakeholders across their key markets.”

“Kyra’s experience from within leading health care companies facing major inflection points brings a valuable perspective to our clients navigating key market launches, political disruption and commercial opportunities from Washington D.C. to Brussels and Beijing.” he further added.

The Global Health practice of APCO functions via an integrated global network of experts who support health care businesses in advocacy, strategic advice, and stakeholder management. The practice functions within the health care value chain in order to help businesses create alignment between the industry, policy makers, and other stakeholders. Using both data analytics and the experience of its Health Advisory Board, APCO assists its clients in analyzing the policy and regulatory environment, solving systematic problems, and developing value opportunities.