FTI Consulting, Inc has announced the appointment of Charlene MacDonald as a Managing Director in the Strategic Communications segment, further strengthening the firm’s Healthcare & Life Sciences sector expertise in the Americas.
The company said Charlene MacDonald will be based in Washington, D.C.
Ms. MacDonald joins FTI Consulting following nearly eight years of service on Capitol Hill, most recently as Senior Policy Advisor to House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland, where she played a key role in the development and execution of congressional Democrats’ strategy related to health policy issues. Ms. MacDonald was instrumental in the drafting, negotiation and enactment of numerous bipartisan health bills ranging from the 21st Century Cures Act to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (“MACRA”). In her new role, Ms. MacDonald is charged with leading and growing Strategic Communications’ Healthcare & Life Sciences team in Washington.
“More than ever, corporates are facing complex opportunities and challenges that require sophisticated, multidisciplinary solutions,” said Brian Kennedy, Head of the Americas for the Strategic Communications segment at FTI Consulting. “Charlene’s front-line experience in healthcare policymaking and deep subject matter expertise make her a tremendous asset to help navigate our clients through this evolving landscape.”
Prior to joining the Whip’s office, Ms. MacDonald served as Senior Policy Advisor for Medicare & Social Security at the Senate Budget Committee, formerly chaired by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). She also previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), directing policy operations and advising on legislative and regulatory issues in health policy, including Medicare payment systems and implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
“Charlene is a great addition to our team of experts, who have a well-earned track record of serving as trusted advisors to management teams and Boards of Directors,” added John Capodanno, Americas Head of Strategic Communications’ Healthcare & Life Sciences team. “With drug pricing, regulatory reforms, outcomes-based healthcare systems and the digital revolution, the healthcare industry is going through a convulsive transformation. Charlene adds a new dimension to our advisory services as clients evolve their models to seize opportunities and manage crises and market disruptions.”
Commenting on her appointment, Ms. MacDonald said, “I’m excited to join FTI Consulting and work with clients that are navigating the demands of balancing their core missions of delivering innovative health services and products with a rapidly evolving regulatory environment and growing pressures to improve quality, value and outcomes across the healthcare system.”
FTI Consulting’s Healthcare & Life Sciences experts in Strategic Communications work with clients to effectively engage stakeholders and achieve business objectives in a complex, dynamic and highly regulated environment. The team includes 45 specialists throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific who focus exclusively on healthcare and life sciences clients and issues.
