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Sarah Buckley
Director of Public Affairs & Communications | Strategic communications | Issues & crisis management | Policy influencing | Protecting & building reputation | Passionate about simpler, more human communication
Sarah Buckley is a seasoned public affairs and communications professional with over a decade of experience steering complex and highly regulated sectors towards successful stakeholder engagement and strategic communication. This dynamic career trajectory began after graduating from the prestigious University of Oxford, where she earned her BA Hons in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Sarah's strong academic foundation has provided her with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate complex issues within the realms of healthcare and finance, making her an invaluable asset in the industry.
Having worked in the City of London during the challenging period following the financial crisis, Sarah developed a keen understanding of how organizations must adapt and engage with their stakeholders creatively. Her journey through public affairs has seen her take on numerous impactful roles, including the Director of Public Affairs & Communications at Novo Nordisk—a global healthcare leader focused on diabetes care and other chronic conditions. In this role, Sarah successfully led initiatives aimed at enhancing public awareness and corporate reputation, solidifying her expertise in managing high-stakes communication.
Prior to her tenure at Novo Nordisk, Sarah played a pivotal role at Roche, where she served in multiple leadership capacities such as Global Public Affairs Lead and International Health Policy Leader. These positions required her to collaborate with cross-functional teams and provide strategic insights that helped navigate contentious political climates worldwide. Sarah's approach focuses on helping senior business leaders articulate their vision both internally and externally, thereby facilitating meaningful stakeholder engagement.
Among other roles, Sarah also held leadership positions like the Head of Reputation & Issues Management at Roche, where her efforts ensured that the company maintained a positive public image in an ever-evolving health policy landscape. Her ability to coach cross-functional teams in strategy-building and clear communication has been transformative for the organizations she has worked with, fostering a culture of collaboration and proactive engagement.
Before her notable roles in global healthcare, Sarah accumulated a wealth of experience in public affairs at ICAEW, where she held various positions including Public Affairs Manager and International Public Affairs Manager. Her early career included vital exposure as a Public Affairs Executive at Lansons Communications and a Communications Assistant at the Ministry of Justice, along with research experience at the House of Commons. This extensive background underscores her comprehensive understanding of both governmental and private sector communication strategies.
Highlights
Thank you so much for all the messages of support and encouragement! I am a bit overwhelmed (in a good way) by how many of you have reached out. It is such an encouraging reminder that we are not alone. If I haven’t replied, it’s not because I didn’t read or hugely appreciate your message; it’s just that I’ve slightly lost track!
Your messages are also a sobering snapshot of just how many of you have been affected by colorectal cancer already, directly or indirectly. It is much more common than you’d expect, and increasing in incidence.
I wondered whether telling “everyone” was a good idea. I didn’t want to be That Lady With Cancer, when I used to be someone else. But I also don’t want to have to be ashamed of this, or indeed to have to explain what’s happened again and again next time I meet each of you, by which time I will hopefully be past this.🤞🏻
P.S. A couple of you have mentioned that you’re not getting through by phone; I think my number has changed. I’m on +41797774435, on WhatsApp for non-Swissies ❤️
I’ve been diagnosed with stage IIIB colorectal cancer (T4 N1 M0, for the many cancer geeks amongst you). For the next nine months or more, my job will be getting through radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and anything else my team decide to throw at it.
I knew this cancer, but from the outside in. At Roche, we fought to get better drugs available for it. I worked with people living with it and dying of it, doctors and nurses and scientists fighting it, charities helping the community to navigate it. In the midst of all that, my dad was diagnosed with it, and beat it. Now, I will get to know this cancer from the inside out.
I am incredibly grateful to my manager Nazim Can Okar and the Novo Nordisk community. Over five long weeks of diagnosis and uncertainty, they have shown how well founded is the company’s reputation as a supportive and compassionate employer.
If you’re interested in how I’m doing, please follow @Sarah_Viveka on Instagram, an account I’ve created to keep in touch and to process all that’s happening. Unlike so many people diagnosed with cancer, I am lucky to have the best personal and medical support I could ask for.
I’ll leave you with the important PSA: 📆 Go to your scheduled colonoscopies. 👩⚕️ See a doctor if you’re experiencing any of the common symptoms of bowel cancer 👇🏻 📢 Advocate for screening and testing if you don’t feel you’re being taken seriously (especially if you’re younger and/or a woman)
