Peg Squier, M.D., Ph.D., Group Vice President and Head of U.S. Medical Affairs, Incyte
In the evolving landscape of life sciences, Peg Squier, M.D., Ph.D., stands out as a seasoned executive with a notable career spanning more than 20 years. Dr. Squier has made a mark on the industry through her innovative leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing medical science.
As the Group Vice President and Head of U.S. Medical Affairs at Incyte, she leads a team of more than 50 professionals who play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Oncology. Under her leadership, the team executes across a range of critical functions, including supporting commercial and clinical development activities, medical operations and health economics and outcomes research. As a member of the development review board, Dr. Squier also contributes to strategic decisions that drive Incyte’s success.
She is committed to advancing Incyte’s mission to Solve On. by blending her expertise with Incyte’s dedication to deliver transformative medicines that will inspire hope and improve lives worldwide. Her understanding of the rapid pace of scientific discovery and support for innovative approaches in medical affairs research, including expanded roles in interventional trials and leveraging community partners for data, has set new standards.
Throughout her career, Dr. Squier has been instrumental in launching blockbuster compounds and driving the science behind drug approvals. Her leadership was crucial in the global approvals of a treatment for patients with myelofibrosis, a rare and challenging blood cancer. She also significantly contributed to the success of a drug for colorectal cancer, which was considered one of the most successful oncology launches of its time.
Beyond treatments, Dr. Squier has a passion for addressing the unmet needs of patient communities. She is a champion for the Incyte Ingenuity Awards for GVHD™, a program that provides annual funding to support initiatives that tackle challenges faced by individuals with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a life-threatening condition that can occur following an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Funding from Incyte aims to foster innovative community-based projects of varying scales, enabling them to make a lasting impact on those with GVHD.
Her drive and dedication to patients have positively impacted her team. She believes that the greatest successes are achieved by a collective team, rather than individuals, and emphasizes professional development and mentorship. As an executive sponsor for Incyte’s Career Development Forum, she nurtures talent by providing opportunities for growth through external speakers and mentorship initiatives.
Dr. Squier is a trailblazer in life sciences, using her expertise and leadership to effectively bring treatments to patients. Her commitment to innovation and team empowerment is changing the future of medical affairs and clinical development. As the life sciences industry continues to evolve, her visionary leadership will undoubtedly play a crucial role in advancing the field and improving patient outcomes for years to come.
Liz Ramsburg, Head of Neuroscience Research, Spark Therapeutics
Dr. Liz Ramsburg, now Head of Neuroscience Research at Spark Therapeutics, a member of the Roche group, realized in her sixth grade Biology class that she wanted to be a scientist.
“It was cutting up a frog that did it. I was amazed and fascinated, and I wanted to figure out how frogs work,” Liz said.
Although she’s moved on from frogs, this moment was the start of a powerhouse career that now spans academia, biotech, and pharmaceutical leadership.
Growing up in rural Maryland where there were a lot more frogs than pharmaceutical companies, Liz was fortunate to have the opportunity to do an internship at the National Cancer Institute in her senior year of high school.
“It was a fantastic experience. I had had no idea what academic science was, and I was suddenly immersed in a group of scientists doing biomedical research and I began to see how I might be able to follow the same path.”
In addition to helping her navigate through college and graduate school, this experience instilled in her a desire to ensure that other students from diverse backgrounds are able to explore careers in biology or other sciences.
From curiosity to career
Initially trained in immunology, Liz completed her Ph.D. at Yale University and remained at Yale for a post-doctoral fellowship in virology. She then joined the Duke University Human Vaccine Institute as an Assistant Professor, where she worked to develop vaccines and other countermeasures against emerging infections including influenza and HIV.
When asked why she chose to work in vaccine development, Liz said, “Vaccines aren’t glamorous, but they’re an incredibly powerful way to help. All scientists want to save the world, and an effective vaccine can save millions of people. Contributing to that effort is perhaps one of the most rewarding things a biologist can do.”
In 2013, seeking a more direct way to bring therapies to patients, Liz transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry, joining Janssen Pharmaceuticals in the Netherlands. In that role she transitioned from studying infectious diseases and began to explore the concept of harnessing the immune system to combat neurodegenerative diseases.
“Neuroscience is fascinating. It’s an area I never expected to work in, but I have come to love the challenge.”
Embracing that challenge, Liz worked to develop vaccines and other immunotherapies for Alzheimer’s disease, one of which remains in clinical testing. This experience made her a natural fit for Spark Therapeutics, a company focused on gene therapy, where she assumed her current leadership role in 2021.
Since stepping into her role at Spark, Liz has spearheaded a remarkable expansion of the neuro-science research team, including multiple neuroscientists, virologists, and experts in neurosurgical delivery. Her strategic leadership has been instrumental in advancing Spark’s pipeline, including the Huntington’s Disease program, which recently entered clinical trials. This milestone marks a critical step toward delivering life-changing therapies to patients with limited treatment options.
“It’s the most rewarding experience you can imagine. We all just hope to play a small part in bringing a treatment forward that can make patients’ lives better — it’s incredibly inspiring.”
From career to mentorship
Beyond the science, Liz loves mentoring the next generation of researchers. She has helped cultivate a diverse, talented, and motivated team, many of whom have grown into new leadership roles within Spark and beyond.
“We especially need to support and encourage women scientists,” said Liz. “It’s possible to be a scientist and a mom and whatever else you want to do, but we need to facilitate that by making education and childcare accessible, and by making sure that young women have strong role models so they can see themselves in science.”
With a career marked by scientific excellence and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of what’s possible, Liz is not just helping to advance the field of gene therapy, she’s helping to shape its future. Her leadership at Spark is a powerful example of how women in life sciences are transforming healthcare, bringing hope and solutions to patients worldwide.
As Spark continues to unlock the power of gene therapy to accelerate healthcare transformation, Liz’s contributions ensure that neuroscience remains at the cutting edge of innovation and impact.
Sunny White, Founder & CEO, Xavier Creative House
Sunny White, Founder and CEO of Xavier Creative House (XCH), is a dynamic leader who has transformed healthcare marketing with bold creativity, ethical business practices, and a commitment to sustainability. At the helm of one of the few woman-owned, independently managed agencies in the life sciences’ industry, she has built a company that blends bold creative, strategic excellence, and purpose-driven impact.
Since launching XCH in 2013, Sunny has led the agency to extraordinary success, driving a 298% revenue increase from 2020 to 2024 and securing multimillion-dollar contracts with 5 of the world’s 20 largest pharmaceutical companies. She has also expanded her team by nearly 65% in 2 years, cultivating a vibrant, inclusive, and health-focused workplace that has earned recognition as one of Philadelphia Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers, Inc.’s 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies, and one of the 100 Healthiest Workplaces in America by Springbuk.
A champion for sustainability, Sunny has embedded corporate social responsibility into XCH’s DNA. Under her leadership, the agency became a certified B Corp, achieved EcoVadis Platinum status, and implemented a carbon offset strategy that exceeds environmental benchmarks by 400%. She firmly believes that even small agencies can drive significant change—proving that profit and purpose can coexist in healthcare marketing.
Beyond her role as CEO, Sunny is an influential advocate for leadership development and gender equity. She serves as Chairwoman of the Philadelphia Titan 100 Board, mentors women entrepreneurs, and actively supports initiatives that empower future business leaders. Her insights on innovation and industry transformation have earned her numerous accolades, including the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award and multiple Titan 100 honors.
With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Sunny White continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare marketing. Her leadership, vision, and impact make her a true champion of change in the industry.
