About Us

Anne Woodbury is a 30-year D.C. veteran and sought-after strategic counselor, who applies her unique background in government, integrated communications, and public affairs to develop and execute breakthrough campaigns that drive improvements in health care. Anne has supported businesses and nonprofits of all sizes in executing corporate and product communications and market-shaping strategies that make a positive impact on people’s health and wellness.

Anne Woodbury

CEO and Founder

Thy-Ann Nguyen has extensive experience planning and implementing strategic communications programs for organizations across the health care spectrum, partnering with clients to launch highly successful integrated communications initiatives, thought leadership campaigns, product launches and issue-based campaigns. As Chief of Staff, Thy-Ann oversees CURA’s day-to-day operations, human resources and marketing.

Thy-Ann Nguyen

Chief of Staff

Scott Leezer is a seasoned strategic public affairs expert with over 10 years of bipartisan government relations consulting experience. Mission-driven to achieve success for his clients, Scott strives to make the world a better place for his transformational health care clients. Scott’s genuine understanding of public policy and political landscapes helps him to develop and implement strategic policy agendas that meet his client’s goals and objectives through relationships with key stakeholders.

Scott Leezer

Senior Vice President,
Government Relations

Erin Berst is a communications professional specializing in corporate communications for companies and organizations. Erin is known for her cheerfully persistent approach to project management and her keen eye for detail and editing. Erin is experienced across communications disciplines including social and digital media, though she is particularly passionate about writing and earned media.  

Erin Berst

Vice President

Claire Grant is a communications professional specializing in health care policy and public affairs. Claire has extensive experience leading state and federal policy and advocacy, regulatory, corporate communications, and reputation management initiatives for clients across pharmaceuticals and the life sciences, medical devices, consumer products, hospital and health systems, and health IT.

Claire Grant

Vice President

Kate Lyons is a communications professional with over a decade of experience building successful campaigns to drive profits and increase market share. With extensive experience in campaign optimization, crisis communications and community outreach, Kate is an energetic leader devoted to simplified storytelling for optimal results. Prior to joining CURA Strategies, Kate rebranded a health care system and served as the Public Information Officer during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kate Lyons

Vice President

Stephanie Wight is a seasoned communications professional specializing in health and health care public relations. With a knack for storytelling, an eye for news, and a passion for helping others, Stephanie has worked creatively over the past decade to translate complex health care issues for lay audiences, elevate the voices of key leaders, and secure top-tier media coverage for patient advocacy organizations, hospital and health systems, professional associations, and government agencies.

Stephanie Wight

Vice President, Media Relations

Adrian Dipple is a marketing executive with over a decade of experience in developing and spearheading impactful marketing programs across the healthcare sector for government agencies, trade associations, health tech organizations, and SaaS startups. He is passionate about leveraging cutting-edge marketing technologies and trends to deliver exceptional customer experiences and accelerate business growth.

ADRIAN DIPPLE

Associate Vice President, Digital Marketing

Emily is a design innovator, brand manager, and project management professional with a passion for producing captivating creative content while also providing unrelenting client service. Over 20 years of experience creating and producing designs and illustrations for a diverse spectrum of enterprises, including the private-sector, non-profit organizations and their affiliated partners, and federal government agencies. 

Emily Hagen

Associate Creative Director

Sarah is a strategic communications specialist with experience supporting companies spanning the health care industry, from Fortune 500 companies and biotechs to hospitals and patient advocacy organizations. She has supported multiple drug launches for global pharmaceutical companies, led patient and advocacy programming, and supported unbranded educational campaigns in the oncology, rare disease and neurology spaces.

Sarah Farinelli

Account Supervisor

Sydney Shepherd has extensive experience implementing integrated grassroots/advocacy and government relations campaigns to achieve legislative goals, particularly in the nonprofit sector. Sydney is passionate about elevating the voices of advocates to promote transformational legislative changes in health care.

Sydney Shepherd

Account Supervisor

Laura is passionate about executing creative communications strategies that exceed goals and drive tangible results. With experience in the rare disease, immunology, gastroenterology, sleep and micro-robotics spaces, Laura’s work spans across health care sectors including biopharma, medtech and nonprofit management. Prior to CURA, Laura worked at Health+Commerce, a healthcare PR and digital marketing agency, where she focused on corporate and regulatory communications.

Laura Wagner

Account Supervisor

Patrick Meade is a communications professional specializing in congressional outreach and advocacy, working with health care industry clients to achieve their advocacy and business goals. Patrick graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics, along with Economics, and interned for two members of Maryland’s Congressional delegation.

Patrick Meade

Manager, Government Relations

David Morrell is a project management specialist with experience across multiple professional service industries including health care, cybersecurity, and technology. David’s strong attention to detail, drive to find and develop solutions, and ability to combine creativity and practicality consistently delivers meaningful and functional solutions for CURA and our clients.

David Morrell

Manager, Digital Marketing

Diana is an adept strategic communicator specializing in writing, editing, research and thought leadership. Her experience ranges from supporting clients at large public relations firms to freelance content creation and marketing. She is fueled by connection, the power of language to spark action, critical analysis and stories that improve people’s lives. Diana graduated from the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media with a Bachelor’s degree in public relations.  

Diana Pressey

Senior Account Executive

Philicia Thompson is a strategic storyteller with experience in digital, owned and earned communications. Her approach to results-driven work begins with a foundation of research and telling authentic and impactful stories to drive successful campaigns. She is a proud Gamecock and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s in public relations and master’s in mass communication.

Philicia Thompson

Senior Account Executive

Cole uses his passion for creativity and strategic thinking to develop impactful communication solutions. With expertise in graphic design, healthcare innovation, and product marketing, he offers a unique perspective that drives campaigns and brands forward. Cole graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in public health and a master’s in health care administration.

Cole Anchustegui

Account Executive

Hanna is a dedicated public health professional with a strong passion for advancing health equity and public health objectives. Her experience includes using digital tools such as social media and story-telling to promote health behaviors and policies. Hanna received her Master of Public Health in Public Health Communications and Marketing from George Washington University.

Hanna DeVarona

Account Executive

Lula specializes in strategic communications within the wellness landscape. She delivers engaging and impactful services to her clients through media relations, social media strategy, awareness campaigns and marketing. Lula has extensive experience across health care sectors, including hospital safety, public health and mental health. She holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in marketing from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Lula Hailesilassie

Account Executive

Fernando is an administrative professional with experience in law firms, customer service, and the hospitality industry. Renowned for his reliability and efficiency, he manages CURA’s daily operations. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Fernando supports client projects with translation services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Legal Assistance from UDC, deepening his understanding of legal and administrative processes.

Fernando Fatecha

Office Manager

Jen Young is a seasoned communications, marketing and public affairs executive with 25 years of experience. With experience directing integrated campaigns, programs and operations for both health and non-health related corporations, government agencies, trade associations and advocacy organizations, Jen is a dynamic and collaborative leader who excels at facilitating communications within complex organizations and delivering impactful results for clients. 

Jen Young

Senior Advisor

With an extensive background in the government affairs arena, Matt has focused primarily on policy and advocacy efforts involving health care providers for the last 30 years.  Prior to serving as a consultant at CURA, Matt worked in-house with innovative companies within the clinical laboratory and diagnostics sector. In these roles, Matt managed advocacy, policy and regulatory efforts at both the federal and state levels.

Matt Simmons

Senior Consultant, Public Affairs