Pfizer has selected MacKay Jimeson and Niesha Foster as corporate affairs category leads after a reorganization of the company’s global innovative pharma business unit.
The pharma giant recently revamped the group into four categories to build globally competitive businesses in cardiovascular metabolic disease, inflammation and immunology, rare disease and neuroscience and pain.
As part of the new model, Jimeson is corporate affairs leader for the cardiovascular metabolic disease business and neuroscience and pain businesses, while Foster is corporate affairs head for the company’s inflammation and immunology and rare disease businesses.
Both are responsible for delivering integrated strategies for their respective categories. Pfizer’s new model is designed to “drive a sharper focus on select areas while delivering benefits for a faster delivery of breakthrough medicines, new growth opportunities, more efficiency, and long-term value growth,” it said in a statement.
Jimeson told PRWeek via email that he will assume global responsibility for public policy, government affairs, communications and CSR. He will also work with the business presidents on market development and establishing Pfizer’s reputation as a leader in these categories around the world.
It was not immediately clear if Jimeson and Foster will also continue in their previous roles at Pfizer.
Pfizer said last month that it is planning to buy Allergan for about $160 billion. However, the deal has been met with criticism because the combined pharma giant will reportedly move its headquarters to Ireland to cut back on its tax bill in the US.
Jimeson has worked for Pfizer since 2009, when he joined as spokesperson and director of media relations. In March, he also became adviser to the EVP of corporate affairs. In his role, Jimeson also serves as chief speechwriter and comms director for the SVP of corporate affairs.
“It has been a great six-year run at Pfizer, and I’m very happy the company continues to present new opportunities to grow,” Jimeson said.
Before Pfizer, Jimeson was public affairs director for WRScompass, an environmental cleanup company owned by Sam Zell’s Equity Group Investments. Earlier in his career, Jimeson was a communications aide on Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign and press secretary for then-Florida Governor Jeb Bush between 2001 and 2005, according to Jimeson’s LinkedIn profile.
Foster has worked at Pfizer since 2003. She currently serves as chief of staff for worldwide research and development where she manages day-to-day activities related to R&D. She has also managed relationships with external organizations. Foster previously served as chief of staff for worldwide policy.
Before joining Pfizer, Foster was a senior manager in the labor relations department of the National Football League and in audit at Pricewaterhouse.
This story originally appeared in PRWeek.
