JOIN THE 13th ANNUAL MSL SOCIETY CONFERENCE

The Premier Event for Medical Science Liaisons

Join us for the 2025 MSL Society Conference, where 300+ MSL professionals, industry leaders, and top sponsors come together for an unparalleled networking and learning experience. Gain cutting-edge insights into the latest Medical Affairs trends, engage in valuable discussions, and be part of the leading global event that sets the standard for excellence in the MSL profession.

For the first time ever, the 2025 MSL Society Conference will be a 1.5-day high-impact event, delivering even greater value in a more focused format. Join us on October 13-14, 2025, at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa for expert-led sessions, interactive discussions, and career-enhancing opportunities. Whether you’re an aspiring MSL, an experienced professional, or a Medical Affairs leader, this conference is designed to help you advance your career, expand your network, and stay ahead in the industry.

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with the world’s top MSL professionals. If you’re looking to elevate your career, stay ahead of industry trends, and engage with key decision-makers, this is the must-attend event of the year. Save the dates, and join us in Miami!

2025 AGENDA

1:00 PM – 7:00 PM	Registration
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM	How to Maximize Your Attendance and Make a Great First Impression Breakout session for Aspiring MSLs Defining the MSL role. Do’s and Don’ts of making a great first impression when engaging with MSLs and MSL managers. Networking during the conference and beyond. Room: Palmetto 5 Samuel Dyer, MD, PhD, CEO, MSL Society
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM	From Aspiring to Hired: What It Takes to Become an MSL Breakout session for Aspiring MSLs Identify Core Characteristics of Successful MSLs Cultivate Effective Team Dynamics Enhance Professional Development Align with Organizational Goals Room: Palmetto 5 Joanne Rinker, MS, RDN, CDCES, BC-ADM, Director of Medical and Scientific Engagement, MannKind Rachel Pater, MSN, MSL Field Director, Syneos Health
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM	Digital Transformation of Medical Affairs Through Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakout session for MSLs Overall, AI is enabling Medical Affairs to transform its role, becoming more strategic, data-driven, and patient-centric. By leveraging AI’s capabilities, Medical Affairs can enhance efficiency, improve insights, and ultimately contribute to better patient care and business outcomes. The potential for AI enablement is evident across a) Medical Affairs strategy, b) communications, c) field insights, d) evidence generation, and e) stakeholder engagement. However, careful consideration of challenges across data quality, ethics, regulatory compliance, and dehumanization of patient care is crucial for successful implementation. Room Palmetto 7 Dustin M. Dunham, DMSc, DC, MBA, FACMA, FRSPH, FACHDM, Executive Head of Global Medical Services – Americas, GE HealthCare
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM	Ensuring Leaders Grow & Develop – Mentorship and Tools for Leadership Growth Breakout session for MSL Leaders Explore real world leadership development through MSLS Mentorship Program and other avenues for continuous development to hone leadership skills. Utilize a Leadership Development Self-Assessment Tool mapped to a structured Leadership Competency Framework to guide personal development. Engage in self-reflection to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and key leadership pillars to prioritize for growth. Learn strategies to demonstrate leadership value within an organization through enhanced leadership capabilities and effective time management. Room: Palmetto 8 Cherie Hyder, PharmD, MSL-BC, Senior Director, Medical Affairs Learning Strategy Consultant, Syneos Health Sonar Dalal, MD, Senior Head of Medical Affairs and Clinical Development, Kaneka Medical America Shelley E. Brown, PhD, MDiv, Senior Director, Medical Affairs, Vericel Corporation
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM	Crafting Meaningful Personal Development Plans to Optimize Performance Breakout session for MSL Leaders In this workshop we will discuss an approach that will allow for open, honest conversation on areas of individual strengths and areas for optimization of their current role based on MSL competencies. Outline opportunities to support seasoned MSLs committed to staying in their current role. How to support MSLs that have a clear vision for their path forward. Discuss how to support an MSL that isn’t sure what roles align with their interests and talents? We will share experiences and review a PDP development model that supports all scenarios. Room: Palmetto 9 Kim Cremers, PharmD, CEC, CEO/Founder, Petrichor Medical Affairs Consulting
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM	Prepping for the MSL Interviews: PLURAL! Breakout session for Aspiring MSLs Walking through the many possible interview steps when applying for an MSL position and how to prep for each one Learning the lingo What’s your elevator pitch? Connecting your resume with your real life Workshopping how to sell yourself with no MSL experience The presentation stage of the interview Room: Palmetto 10 Morgan Freas, PharmD, Executive Medical Science Liaison, Myriad Genetics
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM	Managing Medical Information and Relationships as an MSL Breakout session for MSLs MSL Job Is All About Relationships. Credibility Do Your Homework Managing Expectations ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THINGS! Room: Palmetto 5 Bonni Dutcher, PhD, Director, Medical Affairs, Bayer
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM	Maximizing the Impact of the MSL Team in the Medical Device Lifecycle Breakout session for MSL Leaders Journey from academia to industry MSLs in the Medical Device Industry: Challenges and Impact Maximizing the impact: A two-way street between Field Activities and Clinical Development Room: Palmetto 6 Jaideep Banerjee, PhD, MSL-BC, Director, Global Clinical and Medical Affairs, Smith & Nephew
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM	Navigating Leadership in Medical Affairs: Emotional Intelligence and Exemplary Practices Breakout session for MSL Leaders Understand the concept of emotional intelligence and its relevance to leadership in Medical Affairs Recognize and understand the 6 distinct leadership styles defined by Daniel Goleman, along with their respective strengths, and discern their appropriate application Explore the 5 practices of exemplary leadership as articulated by James Kouzes and Barry Posner and understand their applicability in the field of Medical Affairs Gain the knowledge and competence to make informed decisions about leadership styles and practices to enhance team performance and achieve organizational objectives within Medical Affairs Room: Palmetto 8 Ramesh Shingala, MBA, Associate Director, Learning Experience Designer, V&I Medical Affairs, Merck Research Laboratories Jennifer Barrickman, PhD, MHA, ACRP-CP®, Senior Director/Team Lead USMA, Merck Research Laboratories
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM	Using Balanced KPIs to Communicate the Value Story Breakout session for MSL Leaders Learn how storytelling is a strategic tool to communicate medical value. Understand how to balance quantitative and qualitative KPIs across the product lifecycle. Demonstrate the impact of medical activities using integrated KPI frameworks. Apply a real-world example to build your own medical value story. Room: Palmetto 9 Sponsor: Syneos Health Larry Dollar, PharmD, MS, MSL-BC, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Syneos Health Cherie Hyder, PharmD, MSL-BC, Senior Director, Medical Affairs Learning Strategy Consultant, Syneos Health Jessie Scott, PharmD, National Director, Field Medical Excellence and Operations, Syneos Health
5:45 PM – 7:00 PM	Welcome Reception Room: Majestic Ballroom 5-8
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM	Awards Ceremony Room: Majestic Ballroom 1-4

Stay tuned for ongoing agenda updates as we get closer to the conference!

7:00 AM – 7:00 PM	Registration
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM	Coffee Break and Exhibitor Interacting Room: Majestic Ballroom 5-8
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM	Fun Activity Room: Majestic Ballroom 1-4
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM	Welcome and Opening Remarks Day 1 Room: Majestic Ballroom 1-4
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM	Optimism Enhances Performance and Outcomes General Session Have your mood enhanced Learn new evidence about the impact of optimism Be moved by few real-life stories Room: Majestic Ballroom 1-4 Sponsor: GoPositiv Don Sandel, MS , Founder, GoPositiv
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM	General Session Room: Majestic Ballroom 1-4
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM	Agentic AI for Medical Affairs: Empowering Modern MSLs General Session Explore proven methods for field medical teams to leverage AI for optimizing medical affairs impact Learn about Hannah Baker’s success from agentic AI models for managing KOLs, planning engagement, and showcasing impact View AI agents in action that empower MSLs to execute at a higher level of strategic maturity Room: Majestic Ballroom 1-4 Sponsor: TikaMobile Manish Sharma, MBA , CEO/Co-Founder, TikaMobile, Inc. Hannah Baker, PhD , Medical Affairs Operations Excellence Lead, Integra Lifesciences
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM	Networking Break & Exhibitor Interacting Room: Majestic Ballroom 5-8
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM	The Access Frontier for MSLs: Optimizing MSL Engagement with Payer-Advising Leaders to Support Access General Session Why Payer-Advising Leaders are critical influencers of formulary inclusion, access decisions, and pathway placement. How Use data-driven methodologies to independently map Payer-Advising Leaders, separate from traditional KOLs. Tailor scientific communication to address payer-specific needs and priorities. Impact Generate actionable insights from Payer-Advising Leaders to inform evidence strategies and value-based messaging. Strengthen cross-functional alignment across HEOR, Market Access, and Medical Affairs to enable patient access. Room: Majestic Ballroom 1-4 Sponsor: 81qd Susan Abedi, Chief Strategy Officer, 81qd- MKG
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM	Staying Human in the Era of AI: How MSLs Remain Relevant, Valuable, and Trusted Expert Panel Explore how MSLs can remain indispensable Identify the unique human skills that add lasting value Gain practical strategies for leveraging AI as an ally, not a threat Room: Majestic Ballroom 1-4 Samuel Dyer, MD, PhD, CEO, MSL Society
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM	Lunch Break
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM	Empowering MSLs in Transition: Strategy, Identity, and Tools for Reinvention Breakout session for MSLs Understand current Medical Affairs workforce trends and their implications for MSL career planning Explore tools like ChatGPT and bibliometric platforms to support interview preparation and therapeutic area insight Apply the Competing Values Framework (CVF) to reflect on organizational culture fit and personal alignment Conduct a personal skills and competency self-audit to identify strengths and areas for development Learn practical ways to increase visibility and stay professionally engaged during career transitions Room: Palmetto 5 Tayo Fakunle, PhD, MPH, MBA, MSL-BC, Medical Science Liason Cherie Hyder, PharmD, MSL-BC, Senior Director, Medical Affairs Learning Strategy Consultant, Syneos Health
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM	Personal Branding for MSL Development: A Strategic Approach Using the MARIPOSA Method Breakout session for MSLs Strategic Empowerment: Equips MSLs with a personal branding framework aligned with leadership, credibility, and influence in Medical Affairs. Proprietary Methodology: Introduces the MARIPOSA Method as a structured approach to self-leadership, visibility, and career develoPMent. Actionable Tools: Participants leave with a Personal Brand and a self-leadership roadmap to support long-term positioning and impact. Room: Palmetto 7 Martina Riosalido, MS, Founder, Medical Affairs Leader, MSL Expert & Mentoring
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM	Amplifying Clinical Trial Success: The Strategic Role of Research Science Liaisons Breakout session for MSL Leaders Demonstrate the Value of RSLs in Clinical Trial Acceleration Highlight Real-World Impact Through Collaborative Case Studies Equip Attendees with Strategies to Integrate RSLs into Trial Planning Room: Palmetto 8 Sponsor: Syneos Health Larry Dollar, PharmD, MS, MSL-BC , Vice President, Medical Affairs, Syneos Health Jessie Scott, PharmD , National Director, Field Medical Excellence and Operations, Syneos Health Gaetano Pellitteri, PharmD, MBA , Senior Director Medical Affairs Operations, Syneos Health Lynell D’Sylva , Global Director, Clinical Trial Ambassadors, Syneos Health
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM	Coaching to Better Insights: 4 Powerful Questions Framework + AI Tools Breakout session for MSL Leaders Identify the most common challenges in insight quality that limit strategic impact. Apply a practical coaching tool with 4 Powerful Questions Framework to elevate insights. Explore how AI can enhance coaching and improve insight quality. Room: Palmetto 9 Sponsor: Acceleration Point Linda Traylor, PhD, MSL-BC , VP, Medical Excellence, Acceleration Point
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM	The MSL Society Training Class of 2018: Where Are They Now? A Panel Discussion on Perseverance, Success, and Growth in Medical Affairs Breakout session for Aspiring MSLs Transition with Purpose – Hear how panelists navigated the leap from clinical practice to industry, breaking into MSL roles within a year. Overcome Early Challenges – Learn real-world strategies used to adapt quickly and thrive as new MSLs. Accelerate Your Career – Discover how evolving roles, key projects, and leadership moments shaped long-term success. Navigate a Changing Landscape – Explore the impact of virtual engagements, AI, and other innovations on the MSL function. Apply Lessons Learned – Walk away with actionable advice and growth strategies from MSLs who’ve been in your shoes. Room: Palmetto 10 Maria Abunto, MD, MPH, MBA, Executive Medical Consultant & Medical Affairs Business Leader, Cancer Fund & AMBA Venture Nabhan Islam, MD, Medical Science Liaison, Sanofi Canada Angela Valadez, MBA, PharmD, Director, Field Medical Affairs, Regeneron
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM	Impactful Engagement Through the Art of Storytelling Breakout session for MSL Leaders Understand why effective scientific stories always beat dry data communication. Utilize the core elements of scientific storytelling to create an engaging narrative with your audience. Encourage a culture shift within the Medical Affairs community to value impactful scientific storytelling. Room: Palmetto 6 Sherin Al-Safadi, PhD, MBA, VP Medical & Corporate Affairs, Radiopharm Theranostics
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM	Networking Break and Exhibitor Interacting Room: Majestic Ballroom 5-8
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM	Medical Strategy Implementation & Alignment using Innovative Engagement Plans Breakout session for MSLs A workshop to work through the process of ensuring KOL engagement plans align with organizational strategic imperatives and capturing KOL movement along a development continuum. Define Strategic Imperatives, KOL Development Continuum, Interaction Outcomes Create KOL engagement plans and continuum segmentation, interaction Outcomes and link them together Implement Outcomes and frameworks to measure alignment against engagement plans Room: Palmetto 5 Sponsor: TikaMobile Manish Sharma, MBA, CEO/Co-Founder, TikaMobile, Inc. Mia Khalid Shibly, Sr. Business Development Manager, TikaMobile, Inc.
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM	The Leadership Journey: Is it for You? Breakout session for MSL Leaders Is a leadership position for you? What are typical challenges new leaders face? What are the key competencies need to be a successful leader? What leadership pillars are priority to focus on? What would a good workshop contain for aspiring or new leaders? Room: Palmetto 9 Larry Dollar, PharmD, MS, MSL-BC, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Syneos Health Ralph Rewers, PharmD, President/CEO, KALP&R Consulting LLC Cherie Hyder, PharmD, MSL-BC, Senior Director, Medical Affairs Learning Strategy Consultant, Syneos Health
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM	Evolving Role of the MSL in Interpreting and Communicating Real-World Evidence (RWE) Breakout session for MSLs and MSL Leaders Defining RWE and Its Strategic Importance MSLs as Translators of Complex Data Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement Through RWE Navigating Compliance and Ethical Boundaries Future Skills and Tools for RWE Excellence Room: Palmetto 7 Jefferson Tea, PhD, MBA, CEO, Agilis Health
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM	Beyond Pharma: Building and Leading a Strategic MSL Team in the Tissue and Biologics Space Breakout session for MSLs and MSL Leaders Foundations First: Lessons learned from building an MSL team at a small tissue/biologics company from the ground up—what to prioritize in hiring, structure, and integration into the broader organization. Navigating Grey Zones: Understanding the unique regulatory nuances of the tissue and biologics space and how they shape the MSL’s role compared to traditional pharmaceutical settings. Discuss integrating Advocacy into Scientific Exchange Collaborative, Not Commercial: How to effectively support commercial teams while maintaining clear medical-scientific boundaries to avoid the “super rep” trap. Strategic Differentiation: Positioning the MSL team as a core driver of medical strategy and field intelligence in a space with evolving scientific narratives and looser frameworks. Room: Palmetto 8 Tyler Richardson, MS, MBA, Sr. Director, Medical Science Liaisons, BioTissue Holdings, Inc Emily Love, OD, Medical Science Liaison, BioTissue Holdings, Inc
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM	Think Like a Hiring Manager: MSL Interview Mastery Lab Breakout session for Aspiring MSLs Break down the five stages of the MSL interview and what hiring managers assess at each. Practice real scenarios—from recruiter screens to scientific presentations—in interactive breakouts. Learn to reframe your background into transferable skills that show strategic fit. Build confidence with peer coaching and guided reflection on communication and presence. Take away a practical toolkit for your next MSL interviews. Room: Palmetto 10 Josh Yoder, PhD, MSL-BC, MSL Manager, Chiesi USA, Inc Katherine Nguyen, PharmD, MBA, CEO, Sparked Innovations.AI
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM	The Patient is the Point: Integrating Advocacy into Scientific Exchange Breakout session for MSLs Discuss the evolving role of the MSL: Data courier to trusted strategic partner Define the Patient Voice in Medical Affairs Discuss integrating Advocacy into Scientific Exchange Review Case Studies from the Field Room: Palmetto 6 Greg Grevera, DNP, FNP-BC, RN, Medical Affairs & Advocacy Leader
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM	Closing Remarks & End of Day 1 Room: Majestic Ballroom 1-4

Stay tuned for ongoing agenda updates as we get closer to the conference!

CONFERENCE VENUE

This year’s venue is once again the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa! Don’t miss another chance to enjoy its elegant, spacious rooms and modern amenities, including a full-service spa, a tropical water park, and championship golf courses.

MEET OUR 2025
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Ramesh Shingala, MBA

Associate Director, Medical Affairs

Jennifer Barrickman, PhD, MHA, ACRP-CP®

Senior Director/Team Lead USMA

Maria Abunto, MD, MPH, MBA

Executive Medical Consultant & Medical Affairs Business Leader

Nabhan Islam, MD

Medical Science Liaison

Angela Valadez, MBA, PharmD

Director, Field Medical Affairs

Dustin M. Dunham, DMSc, DC, MBA, FACMA, FRSPH, FACHDM

Head of Global Medical Services, Americas

VIEW MORE SPEAKERS

GALLERY

Take a look at some of the highlights from our past conferences.

VIEW MORE IMAGES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCip0EYdUEo

12th Annual MSL Society Conference | 2024 Highlights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCip0EYdUEo)

TESTIMONIALS

See what our attendees from previous years have to say about the MSL Society Annual Conference!

The MSL society annual conference is a unique opportunity to enhance the MSL role around the world and across our industry by learning from each other and networking.Whether you’re a new MSL, MSL to be, or an experienced field medical leader, the program is designed so that there’s something for everyone!This year we’ll be recognizing and celebrating our peers that have gone above and beyond during our first ever MSL and MSL manager of the year awards.

Arthur Chan, PhD, MBA

Vice President of Medical Affairs – Tarsus Pharmaceuticals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VggN7F6o4-M&t=3s&ab_channel=MSLSociety

Kerstin Pohl, PhD - Manager of Medical Affairs, Biodesix Inc. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VggN7F6o4-M&t=3s&ab_channel=MSLSociety)

Kerstin Pohl, PhD

Director of Business Development
– Biodesix, Inc.

The MSL Society meeting gives me the opportunity to interact with MSLs from around the globe, to share my experiences with current and aspiring MSLs and to learn new skills at the same time. Our role is always evolving and it is a tremendous opportunity to be there and learn from the best in the business. I look forward every year to attend to see friends and to network with new aspiring MSLs for mentorships and future opportunities to advance their career.

Jihad (JR) Rizkallah, MD, MSL-BC

Director, Medical Affairs – Sunovion Pharmaceuticals

The MSL Society is excited to award MSL excellence in the upcoming 2025 Annual MSL of the Year Awards Night in Miami, where we will honor winners and the finalists for each category.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

AWARDS NIGHT SPONSOR

Elevating MSL Impact with Insights from Payer-Advising Leaders

What excites you the most about participating in this year's 13th Annual MSL Society conference? We're excited to connect with MSL leaders, hear about the challenges they face in the field, and share how analytics can help them elevate scientific exchange and impact....

Acceleration Point: Empowering MSLs to Thrive in a Digital-First Era

What excites you the most about participating in this year's 13th Annual MSL Society conference? This conference is always a highlight because it brings together the very people shaping the future of Medical Affairs, MSLs and field medical leaders. The MSL role has...

READ ALL SPONSOR INTERVIEWS