Policy Expert

Lisa Joldersma is a seasoned, strategic policy professional with twenty-five years of experience working at the intersection of state and federal health policy, advocacy and law. After nearly ten years at PhRMA, Lisa recently founded Birch Point Strategies LLC, an independent, boutique consulting firm focused on working directly with innovators to design and implement state and federal policy strategies that advance business priorities. As a Senior Vice President for Policy and Research at PhRMA, Lisa oversaw a staff of nine diverse and talented professionals tasked with policy development and analysis on mission-critical issues including Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage; pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) oversight and reform; the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI); commercial health insurance including ERISA plans and the exchanges; patient assistance; 340B; health equity; and a range of state issues including Medicaid initiatives, insurance regulation, pricing boards, ballot measures and transparency. Prior to PhRMA, Lisa worked for over a decade on the payer side of these issues – first at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and then the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. She began her career in Washington as a health care legislative and regulatory lawyer at a prominent firm. Lisa is known for her depth of knowledge and agility with the Social Security Act, Public Health Service Act, and myriad other health care laws and regulations. She brings experience as a legislative and regulatory counsel, strategist and advocate to bear in everything she does.

A native of beautiful northern Michigan, Lisa is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, where she served as Managing Editor of the Michigan Journal of International Law. She completed her undergraduate studies, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, at Hope College in Holland Michigan with a dual major in English and Political Science. Lisa currently sits on the board of trustees at Hope and remains a die-hard fan of the Michigan Wolverines. She lives in Washington D.C. with her husband Dirk, a molecular geneticist, and their four children.

Policy & Science Expert

Emma is a science-minded advocate for reforms that ensure patient access to health/tech innovations and efficient, rigorous pathways for research and development. With more than 15 years of experience in the life sciences sector, including both biopharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, Emma has designed and implemented environment shaping strategies that communicate complex concepts to a range of audiences and advanced nuanced policy and

business objectives. She is particularly passionate about personalized medicine, oncology, and rare diseases. Throughout her career she has collaborated closely with the patient, provider, and scientific advocacy community. Previously, Emma worked on the policy and government affairs teams at GRAIL, Lilly, and PhRMA. She also worked in regulatory affairs at Human Genome Sciences (now GSK). Emma received her M.S. in Biotechnology from Georgetown University and her B.S. in Biology from Virginia Tech. She is currently pursuing a M.S. in Genetic Counseling at Boston University.

Grassroots Expert

Jeff is Founder and President of JTO Public Affairs, a healthcare consultancy based in Washington, DC. He services Fortune 500 and trade association clients across the healthcare spectrum as well as advocates for patient groups and individuals on a variety of issue. Most recently, he oversaw state government relations and advocacy for The Rare Access Action Project (RAAP), a non-profit organization whose membership consist of patient advocates, emerging life science companies and other rare disease stakeholders advocating for innovative solutions to reduce or eliminate barriers to rare therapies. He also serves on the board of Patients Rising, a patient-centered advocacy organization dedicated to helping individuals get the health care services they need.

Jeff brings over 25 years of patient advocate experience to the table. Previously, he was Managing Director and Partner at SevenTwenty Strategies, a Washington, DC based public relations & public affairs firm and also served as Deputy Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers (PhRMA) where he oversaw operations for the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) the nation’s largest clearinghouse to match patients in need to pharmaceutical assistance programs.

Measurement & Research Expert

Stacia Tipton launched Tipton Inc in 2010 to offer clients a mix of strategy, research and communications services. Stacia’s specialty is collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, using research and insights to drive the creative process. She has worked with corporate, nonprofit and government clients to position their brands and refresh messaging. She routinely helps clients use polling to provide thought leadership and start new conversations with constituencies.

Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Stacia was a founding leader of the research practice at Widmeyer Communications, now Finn Partners, and grew it into one of the firm’s most successful units. She has worked with multiple communications firms to develop campaigns, as well as with leading pollsters and research partners to develop data-based insights. Her undergraduate and master’s degrees are from the UF College of Journalism.