Syneos Health bolsters communications leadership team

New top talent has joined the Communications business of Syneos Health. The healthcare-only agency portfolio includes GSW, Navicor, Chandler Chicco Agency, Biosector 2, Chamberlain Healthcare Communications, Cadent Medical Communications, Managed Markets Communications, and Addison Whitney, among others. 

Tim Pantello has taken the helm to lead the integrated portfolio business, serving as president of Communications. A versatile executive with nearly 25 years of experience across strategy, marketing and technology, his digitally native leadership style is ideal for grooming the next generation of communications experts. Prior to Syneos Health, Pantello was a managing director at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), leading multiple offerings within the Health Industry Advisory Group related to wearable data, patient intelligence and predictive behaviors and analytics. He reports to Michelle Keefe, president, Syneos Health Commercial Solutions.

“Tim is further embedding strategic insights, behavioral science, and digital transformation across our communications business – strengthening foundational capabilities that are proving mission critical to our customers during this transformative time,” Keefe says. “Now more than ever, customers are relying on strategic communications to navigate unchartered challenges. Tim’s expertise, combining consulting methodologies and pioneering communications practices, is getting our customers faster to what matters.”

Since joining in January, Pantello has focused on infusing data, behavioral science, and omnichannel experiences to enhance customer value. Bolstering senior leadership, which includes Syneos Health veterans Sonja Foster-Storch and Lisa Stockman, Pantello has added JD Cassidy as president of advertising; Maria Tender as head of strategy; and Ian Dorrian as president of EU Communications.

Cassidy is leading Syneos Health Communications’ North America advertising portfolio, with dedicated responsibility for GSW NY. He joins from Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness, where he served as president, simultaneously growing revenue and employee engagement. He has worked on multiple brands and therapeutic categories and has omnichannel expertise across patients, providers, and payers. Prior to Saatchi & Saatchi, he was in global leadership roles for Publicis Health, D.i.D, and Digitas Health.

Tender is leading strategy and planning for Syneos Health Communications. She joins from DDB where, for more than two decades, she led strategy and planning and built the healthcare strategy group. At DDB, she oversaw new business development across a range of sectors, including large pharmaceutical companies across numerous therapeutic areas. Internally, she developed best-in-class training and development.

Dorrian is leading Communications in Europe and brings more than 20 years of agency experience spanning independent firms, major holding companies, including Omnicom, regional and global roles, and has deep therapeutic expertise in oncology and rare disease. Prior to his agency experience, he was in the pharmaceutical industry for 10 years, gaining experience in medical affairs, field sales, and operational and strategic marketing roles.