Vanessa Jacobsen is a Senior Director of the Global Medical Engagement Center of Excellence at Gilead. In her role, Vanessa is responsible for building and expanding medical science liaison (MSL) engagement standards and best practices, collaborating to advance the learning and development of MSLs, implementing systematic MSL impact performance measurement, and assessing and enhancing internal capabilities to address internal and external changes in the health care landscape.

Vanessa has over 17 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She was previously at Nektar Therapeutics, as the Executive Director, Global Field Medical Affairs. Vanessa led the inaugural Field Medical build out providing leadership and oversight of global field based medical teams, including Oncology Medical Science Liaisons as well as Medical Value and Health Outcomes Liaisons. In addition to field medical, Vanessa was involved in health economics and outcomes research strategy, global medical strategy as well as medical communications and training for several solid tumors. Prior to joining Nektar Therapeutics, Vanessa was at Johnson & Johnson, where she had increasing responsibility within Scientific Affairs, Health Economics and Outcomes Research and Oncology Medical Affairs over her 15-year tenure. Before joining J&J, Vanessa was the Director, Formulary Clinical Services at Walgreens Health Initiatives and Director of Voluntary Formulary at Premier, Inc.

Vanessa is a seasoned leader in assessment, development, and implementation of field medical strategies. She has significant product launch experience (> 15 NMEs and > 25-line extensions across numerous therapeutic areas including Oncology, Immunology, Cardiovascular, Metabolics, Neuroscience, and Infectious Diseases). She has diverse expertise across multiple channels including academic, community practice, managed care, PBMs, GPOs, IDNs and the Veterans Administration.
Vanessa received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree with high honors from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. She also completed an ASHP accredited residency in pharmacy practice with emphasis in primary care and a fellowship in solid organ transplantation, all at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Vanessa lives in San Diego with her husband and two children.