With over three decades of experience in healthcare communications, Nicole brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for innovation to her role as Chief Client Officer at H+C. From her early days in boutique agencies to in-house roles and now leading client relationships at H+C, Nicole’s journey has been one of growth, adaptation, and impact. In this interview, she reflects on her career, what excites her most about H+C, and how her experiences shape her approach to client service.
1. What led you to H+C, and what excites you most about your role as Chief Client Officer?
“I’ve been in healthcare communications for 30 years, and while my path has taken a lot of twists and turns, the constant has always been a desire to grow my skillset and stay curious. I started in boutique agencies—faxing press releases and building media lists from Bacon’s books—which feels like another lifetime ago compared to where we are now. But that evolution is part of what’s kept me engaged for so long.
“My background includes time on both the agency and in-house sides, from Biosite to Edelman to healthcare trade associations. All of that experience helped me understand the pressures innovators face—from funding and regulation to communicating complex science in a way that resonates. What really drew me to H+C was the opportunity to build. Partnering with Krysta and Nicole to grow this agency—its people, its offering, its impact—has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. And we’re just getting started.”
2. How has working both in-house and on the agency side shaped how you approach client relationships?
“It’s been hugely valuable. Having sat in the client’s seat, I understand the expectations and internal pressures they face. That empathy allows me to support them more effectively. At the same time, being on the agency side has honed my ability to bring in fresh ideas, creative strategies, and a more objective perspective.
“At H+C, we aim to be true extensions of our clients’ teams. That’s about more than great work—it’s about building real relationships. In my role, I want every client to feel connected not just to their day-to-day team, but to our broader leadership. That depth of connection is what helps us deliver consistently strong results.”
3. How does H+C match its clients’ innovator energy and mindset?
“It really comes down to being agile, invested, and relentlessly curious. Our clients are often entrepreneurs—they’re obsessed with solving problems, advancing science, and bringing breakthrough therapies to market. We have to bring that same intensity. That’s why a playbook approach doesn’t work. We take a bespoke approach to every engagement, diving deep into the science, the market, and the pressure points that matter.
“Some tactics are tried and true, sure. But the most impactful work happens when we ask, what if? When we’re dreaming alongside our clients—grounded in strategy, but not limited by ‘the way it’s always been done.’ That mindset helps us win business and do work that actually moves the needle.”
4. What trends are you seeing in healthcare communications that excite you?
“We’re in a really volatile but exciting moment. There’s uncertainty around policy and the market, but I think that’s where our industry shines. We have the chance to lead, to help our clients be a voice of clarity and impact.
“I’m also really energized by the potential of AI—whether that’s in accelerating drug discovery or making our own work more efficient. Of course, there’s always going to be a human element, especially in communications. But AI can supercharge what we do, and I’m excited to explore how we can use it to amplify our value without losing the authenticity that makes our work resonate.”
5. Looking back on your career, what work stands out as especially meaningful to you?
“There are so many moments. Working in women’s health and addiction—two areas I feel strongly about—has been especially rewarding. I’ve worked on campaigns that aimed to break down stigma and reshape public perception. Those are the kinds of projects that make you feel like you’re truly driving change.
“More recently, we helped take a virtually unknown company and molecule in an ultra-rare disease space and turn it into a blockbuster success. Seeing that transformation happen—and knowing it had a real-world impact on patients—is incredibly fulfilling.
“At the end of the day, I want my legacy to be about impact. I may not be the doctor or the innovator in the lab, but if I’ve helped get a therapy to patients faster, or shined a light on a challenge that needed attention, that’s a win. Communications can play an outsized role in making that happen—and that’s what keeps me motivated.”
Looking for more perspectives from the H+C team? Check out our blog for more.
