Karla MacDonald

Karla MacDonald is a global life sciences leader with more than 20 years of experience guiding business strategy, leading communications and patient advocacy, and building talent for companies ranging from small biotechs to large pharma.

Prior to joining Entrada, Karla led communications and patient advocacy for Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals where she established the strategic functions for the company’s expansion into North America. She also held numerous senior positions at Merck & Co, Inc., leading International and corporate responsibility communications, where she advanced Merck’s brand and communications strategy across its 140 markets outside of the U.S. Before that, Karla set and implemented communication strategy for Merck Research Laboratories, the company's R&D division. Karla has held strategic counsel roles at MacDougall Biomedical and Feinstein Kean Healthcare (an Ogilvy company), and managed investor relations for Creative BioMolecules.

Karla is a Board Member of the Canadian Entrepreneurs in New England and a Lead Mentor with Canadian Technology Accelerator. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and a diploma in Communications from McGill University in Montréal, Canada.