Donna L. LaVoie: Bringing Clarity to Communications Under Scrutiny
When markets move fast, scrutiny is constant, and reputations can be made or broken in a single news cycle, having the right communications partner isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Donna L. LaVoie understands this better than most.
As Founder & CEO of LaVoie Strategic Communications, she has spent more than 25 years helping health and science innovators, as well as government and public sector organizations, navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.
After a career spanning government, venture capital, and the health and science sectors, Donna saw a clear gap in the market: clients operating under intense regulation and public accountability needed specialized strategic communications expertise, not a generalist approach. That insight became the foundation for LaVoie Strategic Communications Group, which today operates through two focused practices, LaVoieHealthScience and LaVoieGov, each built to guide clients through their most pivotal moments.
In this Q&A, Donna shares what inspired her to start the firm, the two distinct client challenges LaVoie Strategic Communications Group solves for, and what's next as she leads the firm's continued growth and its alliance with Omnicom.
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Q: What inspired you to start LaVoie Group?
After a corporate career in government, venture capital and health/science, I saw a need for resources to provide specialized strategic communications expertise to clients operating under complexity, scrutiny and public accountability. These clients are generally operating in regulated environments where specialized expertise matters and going alone is not optimal.
Q: What problem are you solving?
At LaVoie Strategic Communications Group, Inc., we are solving problems for two types of clients — health and science innovators who have or will reach their next inflection point — regulatory approval of a new product from FDA or EMEA, preparing for the read out of a pivotal clinical trial or introducing a new product that would change the paradigm. At LaVoieGov, we are working with governments and quasi-government organizations around bringing a message to multiple audiences including policy makers and consumers alike. That translates into strategic messaging, storytelling, spokesperson training and media/digital.
Q: What's next for you?
As Founder & CEO of LaVoie Strategic Communications, I continue to set the strategic vision for the firm, leading growth initiatives, expansion opportunities, and strategic alliances with Omnicom and other organizations. I remain deeply committed to advancing health and science innovation by supporting organizations that are truly changing the paradigm for patients, providers, and society. I am also focused on broadening the firm's reach into adjacent markets where our expertise, relationships, and value creation model can have meaningful impact.
Are you a woman leader with an inspiring story? Founded by Women elevates the voices of women making an impact.
Breaking barriers or paving the way for others? We'd love to feature you. Get in touch! 👉 hi@foundedbywomen.org
