Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA Names Susan Winckler as CEO
The Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration has named Susan C. Winckler, RPh, Esq., former FDA Chief of Staff, as its Chief Executive Officer. She will assume the role on May 1, 2020.
Ms. Winckler served as Chief of Staff at FDA from 2007-2009, managing the Commissioner’s Office and serving both Republican and Democratic commissioners as their senior-most staff adviser. She was unique among her predecessors in simultaneously leading FDA’s Offices of Legislation, External Relations, Public Affairs, and Executive Secretariat, ensuring the agency’s internal and external communications and stakeholder engagement.
“Ms. Winckler brings a depth of experience to the Foundation that will enable her to carry out the mission of the organization in a highly effective manner,” says Ellen V. Sigal, PhD, Chair of the Reagan-Udall Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Her familiarity with FDA and various sectors of the public health field gives her distinct insight into the vision of the Foundation. We are delighted she has joined us and look forward to partnering with her to carry out numerous projects that will support the strength of one of the most important regulatory and public health institutions in the world.”
Most recently, Ms. Winckler served as President of Leavitt Partners Solutions, a national healthcare strategy firm where she directly advised life-sciences and pharmaceutical companies, payers, healthcare providers, government agencies, employers, and associations on a variety of important regulatory and public health matters while helping to drive business strategy for the firm. Ms. Winckler was also Chief Risk Management Officer for the entire Leavitt Partners family of businesses. Prior to joining Leavitt Partners Solutions, she held top posts at the Health Care Transformation Task Force and the Food & Drug Law Institute.
“Susan is a natural choice to lead the Reagan-Udall Foundation,” said Governor Michael O. Leavitt, former HHS Secretary, former governor of the state of Utah, and Founder of Leavitt Partners. “Her commitment to public health and desire to continue advocating on behalf of FDA will ensure that the Foundation’s ambitious agenda is successfully achieved. On behalf of the firm, we wish her well.”
Dr. Amar Bhat, who currently serves as Interim Executive Director of the Foundation, will become Chief Operating Officer. “Our Board is immensely grateful for Dr. Bhat’s leadership,” says Dr. Sigal. “He has expanded our program portfolio and will continue to strengthen the Foundation’s strategic framework and impact.”
“I’m excited to work with the Foundation’s Board, staff, and partners,” says Ms. Winckler. “The Foundation is making great contributions to regulatory science, and it’s the perfect time for me to return to the nonprofit sector as we take on new challenges such as the effect of COVID-19 and the growing use of real world evidence.”