Stephanie Tortell Announced as Candidate for ISMPP Chair-Elect 2025

At Inizio, we are proud to support leaders who exemplify excellence, integrity, and a deep commitment to advancing healthcare communications. Stephanie Tortell, President of Ashfield MedComms, an Inizio company, is a candidate for the ISMPP (International Society for Medical Publication Professionals) Chair-Elect 2025. The ISMPP Chair-Elect is the designated successor to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, serving a transitional leadership role to support strategic initiatives and ensure continuity in advancing ISMPP’s mission in medical publications.

With over 35 years of experience spanning pharmaceutical and medical communications sectors, Stephanie has built a career defined by scientific rigor, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing healthcare through meaningful communication.

Her journey began at the University of Leeds, where she earned a BSc (Hons) in Zoology and developed a keen interest in translating complex science into accessible information. Following an early role at the Wellcome Foundation (now GSK), she spent 16 years in industry, including a decade based in the US and Belgium, working across HIV and vaccine teams. During this time, she contributed to the development and launch of “several practice-changing medicines and vaccines at a time when both science and technology were rapidly changing, as were patient expectations.”

Stephanie’s industry experience is both broad and deep, encompassing roles in medical affairs, commercial strategy, and global publications. As a Global Publications Lead, she refined her ability to deliver impactful publication strategies across a diverse portfolio of innovative therapies.

In 2004, she transitioned to the agency environment, joining Complete Medical Communications as a Client Services Director. There, she led high-performing teams and provided strategic oversight across multiple therapy areas. She later joined Ashfield MedComms in 2013, where she served as a Global Medical Director and ultimately rose to become one of four Presidents of AMC in 2021. In this role, she leads a global team of over 250 professionals, blending data-driven insight with commercial acumen and a steadfast focus on people and culture. As she notes, her leadership combines “continued love of data, her commercial awareness and desire to build a sustainable business, with her laser-focus on culture and her team.”

Stephanie is a longstanding and active member of ISMPP, having participated in numerous annual and EU meetings, served on committees, and supported the involvement of colleagues throughout her nearly 20-year membership. “ISMPP exemplifies medical publications excellence… I am passionate about, and committed to, giving back to this important organization.”

Her holistic perspective, shaped by experience across pharmaceutical, agency, publications, and commercial functions, makes her an influential voice in the evolving landscape of medical communications. “From glass slides to AI, the medical publications landscape evolves – and will continue to do so.”

Stephanie’s belief in the power of clear, credible communication remains central to her work. “Publications are where data gets going and communicating data, clearly, impactfully, and accurately is something I care deeply about.”

Stephanie’s passion for science, people, and purposeful communication makes her a compelling leader to help shape the future of ISMPP and the field of medical publications. Cast your vote before April 28 at 11:45 PM ET: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WJ26KN3