Julia Spencer serves as the lead for MSD’s global policy strategy and engagement with external policy stakeholders, including key global multilateral organizations, and missions inNew York and Geneva, and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. Her team serves as the focal point for and coordinates the company's participation in international industry trade associations and business groups and directs the multilateral and strategic alliance policy agenda focused on UN and international health, trade, and innovation organizations; G7/G20 and other global government alliances; health security organizations, and economic and financing institutions. Julia directs action-oriented analysis and policy positioning on cross-cutting policy issues including intellectual property ,trade, and supply chains; climate and environment; data and AI; and healthcare financing.
Before taking on this role, Julia served for 5 years as the Associate Vice President, ofGlobal Vaccines Public Policy, Partnerships, and Government Affairs. During that time, she led global policy and advocacy efforts to expand and sustain access to MSD’s vaccines and to strengthen the immunization systems delivering our products. Julia also served as the Chair of the International Federation ofPharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) Vaccine Committee from2021-2022.
Prior to joining Merck, Julia served for 15 years as a senior health official in the USDepartment of Health and Human Services (HHS). Her tenure at HHS included service as the Science Policy Director within the HHS Secretary’s policy, planning, and evaluation office (ASPE) where she was responsible for policy analysis, coordination, planning, and legislative development focused on the HHS science agencies – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food & DrugAdministration, National Institutes of Health, and Office of the AssistantSecretary for Preparedness and Response.
Prior to joining ASPE, Julia spent six years working on tobacco policy and substance abuse prevention efforts with HHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health ServicesAdministration. Julia holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in public health, a Master of Science in public health, and Bachelor’s degrees in psychology and health education.
