OPEN Health, a prominent healthcare communications and consulting firm, has announced a series of strategic leadership appointments designed to reinforce its commitment to disciplined growth and enhanced decision-making quality within the life sciences sector. The company, with operations in New York and London, revealed these key hires on February 9, 2026, as part of a broader initiative to align its enterprise strategy with the evolving complexities of modern healthcare.
Strengthening Leadership for Complex Healthcare Challenges
As healthcare systems become increasingly intricate, life-sciences organizations face mounting pressure to translate scientific evidence into confident decisions by clinicians, payers, and patients. OPEN Health's leadership investments reflect a deliberate focus on improving decision quality at critical junctures where evidence must inform actionable insights. The appointments aim to bolster the company's ability to navigate uncertainty with enhanced judgment, readiness, and confidence.
New Executive Team Members
The newly appointed leaders bring diverse expertise to OPEN Health's global operations:
- Shauna Aherne, MBA has been named Global President, Enterprise Growth & Strategy. With extensive experience across Medical Affairs, medical communications, and integrated commercialization, she will lead the company's global growth agenda. Her role involves aligning enterprise strategy, client partnerships, and practice execution to support sustainable expansion across large-cap pharmaceutical companies, mid-tier organizations, and high-growth biotech firms, particularly during pivotal clinical and commercial decision-making moments.
- Jeremy Williams, MBA joins as Global Head of Brand & Communications. Bringing over two decades of experience in agency leadership and healthcare communications, he will shape and lead the company's brand and corporate communications efforts. Williams will focus on translating OPEN Health's strategic vision into a clear, cohesive narrative that reinforces confidence, differentiation, and alignment both internally and externally.
- Brandon Boland, PhD assumes the role of Global Client Partner. With a background spanning peer-reviewed science, pharmaceutical business development, and executive agency leadership, he strengthens OPEN Health's global client leadership. Boland will concentrate on deepening strategic relationships and ensuring the company consistently delivers clarity, judgment, and coordination in complex global engagements.
- Erik Sakowski, PhD has been appointed EVP, Growth Strategy for Promotional Medical Education. He brings a strong medical foundation and a proven track record of building and scaling promotional medical education capabilities. Operating at the intersection of science, growth strategy, and clinical insight, Sakowski will help identify opportunities where OPEN Health can excel with focus and credibility, ensuring expansion remains aligned with real decision needs in the market.
Strategic Vision and Corporate Alignment
Matt D'Auria, Chief Executive Officer of OPEN Health, emphasized the importance of these appointments in a statement. "As medicine becomes more complex, impact is increasingly determined by the quality of decisions, not the volume of activity," said D'Auria. "These appointments strengthen our ability to help clients navigate uncertainty with judgment, readiness, and confidence, aligning growth, client partnership, and corporate narrative around a clear strategic center."
The leadership changes underscore OPEN Health's dedication to enhancing decision quality in healthcare, a critical factor as organizations strive to translate scientific advancements into practical, evidence-based actions. By integrating seasoned professionals with expertise in growth strategy, communications, client relations, and medical education, the company positions itself to better serve the dynamic needs of the life-sciences industry.
