Margalit Edelman

Director (Head), Latin America Public Affairs
Novartis

Margalit Edelman has spent most of her career focused on international relations and public policy through a variety of roles in the pharmaceutical industry, the media and the not-for-profit/think tank world.

At Novartis, Margalit leads the company’s Latin America public affairs and policy function, driving our government relations strategy in the region, spearheading various regional initiatives around access and innovation, representing the company in trade associations and other fora, and partnering with in-country colleagues to support Novartis’ presence in the region.

Prior to joining Novartis, Margalit served as Pfizer’s international public affairs lead for the company’s oncology business unit. In this role, she was the company’s primary liaison with international cancer patient organizations and policy stakeholders and was instrumental in advancing Pfizer’s engagement and reputation with the global oncology patient community. Some of her accomplishments include creating the SPARC Metastatic Breast Cancer Challenge with UICC in 2014; collaborating with the Max Foundation to develop the Max Access Solutions partnership to provide 4 Pfizer oncology medicines to patients in low-income countries; and leading public affairs activities in support of the launch of more than 7 new oncology medicines in 5 years. 

Margalit has had other roles in the pharmaceutical industry including managing Latin America public policy and outreach at both Pfizer and previously at Merck. In another role at Merck she managed Merck’s HIV/AIDS grants to not-for-profit partners outside the US engaged in advocacy, awareness and community outreach, and spearheaded a women’s health access initiative to expand access to contraceptive products in sub-Saharan Africa.

Margalit also worked as an associate producer at the Associated Press TV News in Washington, DC, where she interviewed politicians and covered various news events (such as the 2000 Presidential election).  And she has worked as a researcher, editor and media director at various public policy think tanks in Washington, DC and London, and has published more than 100 articles and opinion pieces in major media.

Margalit received her MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business in 2010. Previously, she completed her MSc in International Relations: Politics of the World Economy (with distinction) at the London School of Economics and received her BA in Hispanic Studies and Political Science from Brown University, where she was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa honor society and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

In her spare time, Margalit is an active hiker, plays tennis regularly, and enjoys seeing live music. She sits on the advisory board of Florida International University Masters in International Business program and is active in other civic and academic activities.