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‘She has seen and done it all’: Comms leaders on Sally Susman’s industry impact

Susman is exiting her role as Pfizer’s top comms executive at the end of this year.

Jess Ruderman

Sabrina Oliveri

July 9, 2025

9:40 am

Sally Susman. Image used with permission. Credit: Erica Berger.

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PR professionals are lauding Pfizer communications executive Sally Susman’s career following her announcement that she’ll be exiting the pharmaceutical giant at the end of this year.

Susman shared Tuesday that she’ll be stepping down from her role as EVP and chief corporate affairs officer after 18 years with the company. Susman joined Pfizer in 2007 and helped lead the company through pivotal eras, including spearheading communications during the COVID-19 pandemic and production of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine with BioNTech.

Her storied career, including stints at Estée Lauder, American Express and government service, has made her one of the best known communications executives in corporate America — recognized amongst her peers and highly respected as a top voice, on LinkedIn and throughout the industry.

“[Susman] has demonstrated the power of the integrated corporate affairs function and the power of harmonizing all the stakeholder strategies that drive growth, mitigate risk and build reputation,” AnnaMaria DeSalva, former global chairman of Burson, said. “That’s a model that’s been adopted by others and other companies in pursuit of value creation.”

Deirdre Latour, former Edelman New York president and founder of Rebellis Communications, emphasized via LinkedIn that it’s hard to overstate the impact Susman has had on strategic, results focused corporate communications.

“She has seen and done it all,” Latour said, citing Susman’s critical work with Pfizer during the pandemic.

Jim Weiss, founder and chairman of Real Chemistry, likewise described Susman as a “titan and transformative force” in the industry and a “true baller” looking to make the world a better place.

“She is a leader, friend and mentor whom I’ve had the privilege of knowing. I think everyone who’s worked with her closely has come out of it more creative, prepared and capable,” he said. “She is one of the key professionals across all industries who has made communications a hard versus soft skill that moves minds, hearts and business at the same time.”

In addition to her professional accolades, Edelman CEO Richard Edelman cited Susman’s advocacy for women in business, people of diverse backgrounds, interest in international affairs and her integrity to “truth telling in science.”

The DJE Holdings agency CEO also complimented Susman on assembling an all-star team at Pfizer, including Kirsty Graham, who joined Edelman as U.S. CEO in 2024 from the pharma company.

“I’ve probably known [Susman] longer than anybody in the PR business, because I knew her before PR,” Edelman said of his longtime relationship with Susman. “She’s been, in my mind, probably the most important figure in the communications industry for the last two decades.”

“She’s a person who will be remembered as transformational,” he added. “She brought the profession to another level.”

Pfizer does not plan to replace Susman in her title. VP of corporate communications Amy Rose will lead comms for Pfizer upon Susman’s departure, reporting to the office of the chairman as part of a broader streamlining at the company; moving areas of responsibility previously under corporate affairs to other parts of Pfizer.

Earlier in her career, DeSalva spent five years at Pfizer leading corporate affairs as VP. During that time, DeSalva said Susman set the tone for her to do “very bold work” and described her as someone who has an ability to see the heart of things, is gracious and respectful, but also fierce.

“I’ll never forget her admonition early in my tenure, to ‘be a gladiator,’” she said. “That was all I really needed to hear.”

In response to the company’s decision to redistribute corporate affairs responsibilities to other parts of the organization, DeSalva noted that the decision must have been very carefully considered by Pfizer leadership.

“Only time will tell what type of an impact on results a more distributed model will have. The integrated model was so powerful and positive,” she explained of the framework Susman helped architect. “The world is changing, businesses are dealing with a myriad of challenges and pressures and I can understand how models get reevaluated and circumstances mandate new approaches. Given all that, I think it needs to play out before any of us can pass judgment or opine on potential impact.”

Here’s how other agency and in-house PR pros paid tribute on LinkedIn to Susman’s legacy and influence on healthcare communications.

Gwendolyn Fisher, VP of Communications, global digital and technology, GSK

“Sally Susman, I can’t believe it has been 18 years! Although our paths overlapped only a short time when I worked at Pfizer, I looked up to you as a model for corporate affairs leadership,” Fisher commented on Susman’s LinkedIn post sharing the internal announcement.

“The jobs we do are not for the faint of heart, and yet you led at one of the world’s most powerful companies with a wonderful mixture of grace, compassion, humor, smarts, confidence, and effectiveness,” wrote Fisher. “And you did so for almost two decades, which is a long, long time by corporate America standards! Congratulations on your many contributions to our profession and to pharma healthcare in general and now to pursuing your passions.”

Jon Harris, EVP, chief communications and networking officer, Conagra Brands

“Sally, Congratulations on an incredible 18 years! Your leadership for both the company and our industry has been nothing short of amazing. Wishing you the very best of luck in this next exciting chapter!”

Brian Ellner, managing director, APCO

“Huge congratulations Sally Susman. Enormously grateful for all of your great counsel over the years and for your work at Pfizer championing science. Very excited for your next chapter.”

Megan Noel, chief corporate affairs officer, Adtalem Global Education

“Congrats, Sally Susman! You have created a model for how corporate affairs leaders can create true business impact.”

Jessica Akopyan, associate VP, global commercial communications, Amgen

“Wishing you the very best and excited to see what you continue to achieve. Thanks for breaking all the glass ceilings that you have, Sally!

David Carmel, chief growth and innovation officer, National Institutes of Health

“Dear Sally, you have left such an impact, not only at Pfizer but also for the field of healthcare communications and corporate affairs. I know that you will love your time at The Aspen Institute. I joined the Henry Crown Fellowship in 2006 and have loved every moment. Godspeed in your next chapter.”

Henry Timms, CEO, Brunswick Group

“I am one of so many who count Sally Susman as a friend, mentor, and true inspiration. She is a trail-blazer in every way,” Timms said via LinkedIn. “Brava on an extraordinary tenure for Pfizer and the industry. Looking forward to the next chapter (and the next book)!”

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‘She has seen and done it all’: Comms leaders on Sally Susman’s industry impact

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Gwendolyn Fisher, VP of Communications, global digital and technology, GSK