HealthCare Institute of New Jersey elects new Board leadership

Trenton, August 5, 2024 ― The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ – www.hinj.org) has announced new officers of its Board of Trustees and the leadership of its Steering Committee, effective July 1.

Leo Farber, Vice President and Head of U.S. Government Affairs, Novartis, was elected Chair of the Board.

Mr. Farber joined Novartis in 2014 and has held roles of increasing responsibility during his tenure.  He is currently a member of the Novartis US Public Affairs Leadership Team and serves as a Trustee for the Pharmaceutical Industry-Labor Management Association (PILMA).  Prior to joining Novartis, Mr. Farber was Deputy Vice President at PhRMA and has also previously worked at a government relations and international law firm.  Mr. Farber holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from American University Washington College of Law and is a member of the District of Columbia and Maryland Bars. He also earned a Bachelors (BA) from George Washington University and Masters (MA) from American University.

Mr. Farber succeeds Chris Lepore, Vice President, US State Government Affairs & Civil Justice Reform Initiatives, Johnson & Johnson.

The HINJ Board also elected Charles Leitgeb, Deputy Director, State Government Affairs, Bayer Corporation, to serve as Vice Chair. The new Treasurer is Brianna Earle, Regional Lead State Government Affairs, Northeast, Market Access & Public Affairs, Novo Nordisk Inc.  The new Board Secretary is Amanda Pezalla, Executive Director, Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Legal and Corporate Affairs, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

HINJ also has announced that Chris Guiton, Senior Director, U.S. State Government Affairs, Johnson & Johnson has been reappointed Chair of the HINJ Steering Committee, and George Coutros, Director, State Government Relations, Sanofi US has been reappointed Vice Chair.

A full listing of the Board is listed below and can also be found here:  https://hinj.org/officers-and-board-of-trustees/

Leo Farber, Chair, Vice President and Head, U.S. Government Affairs, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Charles “Chuck” Leitgeb, Vice Chair, Deputy Director, State Government Relations, Bayer

Brianna Earle, Treasurer, Regional Lead State Government Affairs, Northeast Market Access & Public Affairs, Novo Nordisk, Inc.

Amanda Pezalla, Secretary, Executive Director, Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy, legal and Corporate Affairs, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

Christopher Lepore, Immediate Past Chair, Vice President, U.S. State Government Affairs, Johnson & Johnson

Todd Spangler, Vice President, Government Relations, BD

Derek Naten, Senior Director, Government Affairs & Advocacy Relations, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

Terri J. Lee, Vice President, Government Affairs and Policy, Merck & Co., Inc.

Adam Brand, Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy Corporate Affairs, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.

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About the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ)

Founded in 1997, the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) is a trade association that serves as the voice for our state’s leading research-based biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies. HINJ strives to raise awareness, understanding and public support for the state’s life sciences industry, expand patient access to the medical innovations our member companies produce and promote awareness of the life sciences’ economic impact in New Jersey.