Karin Hellsvik is a passionate Alzheimer’s advocate and brings 20 years of skill and passion for improving patient care with extensive experience in communications, advocacy and thought leadership in complex disease areas, from early-stage development to commercialization.

Prior to Foghorn, she most recently headed corporate affairs for Biogen’s Alzheimer’s Business unit where she led a global team overseeing communications, patient advocacy and social and digital communications. Prior to assuming this role, she spent four years at Biogen’s international headquarters in Switzerland forming the Patient Advocacy function and strategy in Europe for the company’s disease areas. 

Before joining Biogen in 2010, Karin spent almost 10 years advising a broad range of clients on pharmaceutical communications and advocacy at leading Nordic healthcare communications agencies. She has an educational background in communications and marketing from Sweden and added to her understanding of global healthcare and disparities at MGH Disparities Leadership Program at Mongan Institute Health Policy Research Center, MGH, Boston, MA.

Bucket list Item: Go on a safari

Favorite book: A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara