As the world continues to find a “new normal” in a post Covid-19 world, the risk of future pandemics—whether man-made or natural—remains. The incoming Congress has an opportunity to learn the lessons of the Covid-19 response, but also make strides in ensuring that the country is better prepared for the next disease. Key questions remain unanswered: how will Congress fund pandemic preparedness? What investments are needed for the next vaccine? How should the strategic national stockpile be recapitalized and reinvested? Joining CSPC for this timely and critical discussion are Phyllis Arthur of BIO and Christopher Joyner a career Congressional staff member. CSPC’s Vice President and Director of Policy, Dan Mahaffee, will moderate this discussion.
PANELISTS
Christopher Joyner, Overwatch Strategic Advisors
Chris is a former senior, career Congressional staff member who over the course of more than 20 years on Capitol Hill advised senior policymakers on a range of national security, foreign policy, energy, and economic issues. Chris served as Staff Director of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, guiding the Committee’s critical oversight and budget authorization functions. He played a key role in the Committee’s nearly four-year, bipartisan investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US Elections, helping guide the Committee’s staff and developing investigative strategies. He also served as a Senior Advisor with the Committee, focusing on foreign malign influence and US Government efforts to identify, expose, and counter adversary influence campaigns. Prior to joining SSCI in 2015, Chris served in several capacities in House and Senate personal offices, including as a Chief of Staff in the United States Senate.
Phyllis Arthur, BIO
In her role at BIO, Ms. Arthur is responsible for working with member companies in vaccines, molecular diagnostics and bio-defense on policy, legislative and regulatory issues. Ms. Arthur joined BIO in July 2009 as the Director of Healthcare Regulatory Affairs. Prior to joining BIO, she worked in numerous marketing and sales positions for Merck & Co., Inc. in their Vaccine Division.
Over her 16-year career in vaccines Ms. Arthur launched several exciting new vaccines in the United States and internationally, including the first HPV vaccine GARDASIL. During her years in Marketing she worked closely with clinical and academic thought leaders in infectious diseases, oncology and public health.
In addition, Ms. Arthur also led a large vaccine sales organization of over 75 representatives and managers covering 14 states. Before graduate school, Ms. Arthur worked as a research assistant for two economists at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. There she conducted economic analyses related to savings and investment policies for the OECD countries.
Ms. Arthur received her B.A. in 1987 in Economics and International Politics from Goucher College and her MBA in 1991 from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.