I find true meaning in helping teams work better together, knowing that in healthcare, every improvement can ultimately make a difference in patients’ lives. Whether supporting commercial teams or coordinating complex projects, I enjoy creating more efficient ways of working that enable true impact.
Career highlights
Joana is an applied life sciences professional with experience in healthcare communications, public affairs and European health policy, and, most recently, commercial operations. This multidisciplinary background has shaped her ability to help teams collaborate more effectively by streamlining and improving internal processes.
Before moving into sales operations, Joana worked as Communications Officer for a pan-European cancer patient organisation, where she combined strategic communications with project coordination and patient advocacy. She led external communications while coordinating outreach activities and deliverables across several EU-funded research projects, collaborating with international consortia and multidisciplinary partners to advance patient-centred initiatives.
Earlier in her career, Joana worked at a public affairs consultancy in Brussels, supporting clients through policy research and strategic monitoring. This experience gave her a strong understanding of how policy, industry, patients, and other stakeholders work together to shape healthcare and healthcare decision-making across Europe.
Joana holds a BSc in Biotechnology, an MSc in Public Health Nutrition from Ghent University, and an Executive Master’s in EU Public Affairs and Communications. Together, her academic background and professional experience provide her with a broad understanding of healthcare innovation, patient-centred care, and the evolving European healthcare ecosystem.
Expertise
- Commercial and sales operations
- Process optimisation and operational efficiency
- Project and programme coordination
- Healthcare and scientific communications
- Patient advocacy and engagement
- EU healthcare policy and public affairs
- Oncology and non-communicable diseases
- EU-funded collaborative projects
- Stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration
Personal interests
Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new places and discovering different cultures, especially through culinary, a passion inspired by her background in nutrition. In her spare time, Joana is often trying a new craft or DIY project, taking on a brand new LEGO challenge, or enjoying a good quiz night with friends.
