New Team Members Bring Decades of Experience in Public Service, Advocacy, and Healthcare to the Rapidly Growing Firm
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 9, 2021)—Pyxis Partners, a mission-driven firm committed to improving the lives of others through policy, advocacy, and engagement, announced today a slate of new hires. Led by industry veterans Michael Manganiello, Bobby Clark, and Ronnie Tepp, these staffing changes bring the total number of employees to 15, a marker of the firm’s significant growth since its founding in July 2020. This rapidly expanding team strengthens Pyxis Partners’ position in engaging on high-profile healthcare issues, including diversity in biomedical research, affordable drug pricing, reproductive health rights, and the opioid crisis.
To meet the demands of its growing stable of clients, these notable, new team additions include:
Bill Murat, Senior Advisor: Bill brings more than 30 years of public service at the federal, state, and local levels. He served for nearly 20 years as Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Chief of Staff, as well as a State Representative in the Wisconsin State Assembly, as Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, and as a Member of the Democratic National Committee.
Abena McAllister, Director: Abena serves as an Executive Officer of the Maryland Democratic Party and was formerly the Chairwoman of the Charles County Democratic Party (not only was Abena the youngest ever to serve in this role, she was the second Black woman to hold the position). Abena has also used her legal background to fight for improved health outcomes of underrepresented communities.
Julia Daverne, Senior Associate, Engagement: Julia comes to Pyxis Partners from Jazz Pharmaceuticals following a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, where she has been a passionate champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare.
Jeff Callis, Health Policy Advisor: Jeff brings more than ten years of experience working with clients across the healthcare industry to develop and implement comprehensive advocacy, communications, and government relations strategies at the federal, state, and local levels.
Karen Levin, Senior Advisor: Karen has served in lead finance positions at top D.C. professional services firms for over 25 years and has deep experience in firm budgeting, P&L management, contract negotiations, cash flow oversight, and financial process development.
“We face countless questions from underserved communities across the country surrounding equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution, access to high-quality healthcare, and more. Each of these new hires will be vital in helping us accomplish what we set out to do: fight for others to have a better life,” said Michael Manganiello, President & CEO. “Over the past year, the healthcare space has faced more challenges than any of us could have ever anticipated. These new additions’ decades of experience will elevate Pyxis's ability to serve the communities that need us most.”
For more information, visit pyxispartners.co, or email info@pyxispartners.co.
About Pyxis Partners:
Pyxis Partners works to improve health outcomes for all Americans. Pyxis is a mission-driven organization fueled by passionate leaders in advocacy, engagement and policy development. The Pyxis team has decades of experience working to advance progressive health policy issues at the federal level. Pyxis Partners’ extensive and deep relationships with national research organizations, academic medical centers, foundations, health systems, industry, community-based and advocacy organizations, and across the federal government uniquely position us to help clients improve health equity, affordability and accessibility in the United States.