Stephanie Simpson

About

A thought leader in patient advocacy, with a focus on rare diseases, with over 20 years of government affairs and public policy expertise. Ability to build coalitions and compromise to benefit patients while expanding access to health care. Specialize in complex patients, including mental health, high-cost treatments, gene therapy, and health equity. Changemaker. Storyteller. Seer. Listener. Accomplished executive with a flair for advancing the objectives of corporate, non-profit and government leaders through strategic communications that encompass vision, values and shared interests to achieve measurable outcomes. Demonstrated ability to educate decision-makers, engage stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, find common ground, advance organizational goals and accomplish significant results. Excellent motivator, able to build, lead and mentor highly effective teams. Adept at managing multiple projects simultaneously. Unique expertise in stakeholder-based crisis prevention and crisis resolution. Keen interpersonal skills. Highly intuitive. Outstanding communicator. Dynamic speaker.

Experience

• CEO · KS Public Affairs04-01-2024

  Public affairs consulting focusing on healthcare access for innovative science, such as gene and cell therapies. Comprehensive public affairs offerings for the healthcare industry, specializing in State and federal healthcare plans, P&T/DUR, 340B, patient impact, and improved government relationships. Giving a voice to challenging healthcare needs such as Mental Health, diversity, Sickle Cell, Rare Diseases, and more through high-quality and creative strategic solutions. * Strategic policy planning to improve healthcare access and payment models, specifically at the State level for complex disease states such as mental health, gene & cell therapies, sickle cell, and rare diseases. * Evaluate policy changes for opportunities to expand access for Fortune 500 companies with complex disease treatments * Analysis of political landscapes and emerging policies regarding client business niche * Roadmap development to implement policy changes to maximize business potential and pivot objectives to meet emerging trends *Translate complex healthcare challenges into creative, tangible, and easy-to-understand solutions for stakeholders and decision-makers

• Executive Director · Bleeding Disorder Foundation of Washington2011-11-01 – 2024-05-01

  - Legislative Advocacy: Successfully advocated for health care access for those with bleeding disorders and rare diseases by building and maintaining relationships with elected officials, community leaders, relevant agencies, and complex stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies, resulting in comprehensive health care for residents of Washington State. - Management: Led a high-performing team of staff, contractors, volunteers, and a non-profit board of directors to establish a nationally recognized patient advocacy organization focusing on equity in access to healthcare while fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and respect. - Board Management: Successfully managed and prepared work for government bodies and nonprofit board of directors, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements, taking into consideration the needs of each member. - Stakeholder Coordination: Facilitated coordination and collaboration amongst stakeholders, including health care providers, payors, patients, pharmaceutical industry, patient groups, government agencies, and elected officials to work toward the goal of providing quality health care for all Washingtonians while keeping access to care for patients at the forefront of our mission. - Community/Public Engagement & Coalition Building: Fostered positive relationships with community groups and organizations, representing the interests and concerns of those living with bleeding disorders, sickle cell, and rare diseases to provide education, programs, and understanding for these high-cost, diverse, and often disadvantaged patients. - Innovative Problem-Solving: Implemented creative solutions to address equity issues in the bleeding disorder community by removing programming that emphasize race, socio-economic presentation and barriers to services, resulting in a 300% increase in use of services over 3 years.

• Legislative Assistant · City of Lynnwood2006-01-01 – 2010-01-01

  Manage office of the Mayor

• Public Relations Specialist · The Communication Group & Rollin Fatland & Associates2004-08-01 – 2006-09-01

Education

• University of WashingtonBA, Political Science

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