Kara Cournoyer | Head of Communications & Patient Advocacy | Takeda Oncology

Kara Cournoyer is the Head of Communications & Patient Advocacy for Takeda’s Global Oncology Business Unit (OBU) and a member of the Global Oncology Leadership Team. In this role, she drives strategy for communications and patient advocacy across Takeda’s global oncology portfolio, leveraging her 20 years of experience in global life sciences communications.

Before joining Takeda, Kara was Head of R&D Communications at Novartis. In this role, Kara led a team responsible for all internal and external communications for Novartis’ Biomedical Research and Development organizations and the company’s early to mid-stage pipeline. Prior to this position, Kara was Head of Biomedical Research Communications, leading communications for Novartis’ global research and early development organization spanning six sites and seven therapeutic areas.

Kara’s expertise spans all areas of strategic communications, including social and digital media, media relations, internal communications, and issues management. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications from Northeastern University in Boston.