MARIA KOUINI
Chemist, MSc
Velo-Vocha
Summary
With over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, I excel in achieving company objectives through strategic partnerships with colleagues and customers. My track record demonstrates expertise in providing medical and scientific leadership, ensuring compliance with regulations and internal policies. Thriving under pressure, I consistently enhance brand value propositions by adapting to new situations. Eager to contribute to team success, I leverage strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills to manage medical affairs and foster cross-functional relationships. This role presents an exciting opportunity to implement global strategies, drive scientific initiatives, and collaborate closely with key stakeholders while upholding the highest standards of compliance, ethics, and accountability.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Medical Education Manager
Johnson & Johnson IM
04.2022 - Current
- Supervise and Support the Medical Education Team: Lead, mentor, and provide support and guidance to the Medical Education team and business owners to prevent bottlenecks, enhance executional excellence, foster professional development, and drive innovation in medical education activities across therapeutic areas.
- Compliance Leadership: Ensure full adherence to all relevant compliance requirements, including ethical standards, HCC, and corporate policies, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability across all activities.
- Strategic Alignment: Align Medical Education initiatives with the broader strategic objectives of the business, ensuring activities contribute to corporate goals, therapeutic area priorities, and the effective execution of Brand Plans.
- Disclosure Lead for JnJ: Act as the primary lead for disclosure activities and ensure compliance with all transparency requirements.
- Monitor the Medical Education Process: Oversee the end-to-end Medical Education process for all therapeutic areas, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness from planning to execution while adhering to timelines and regulatory requirements.
- Budget Oversight and Reporting: Closely monitor the budget and reporting processes for the Medical Education Department, covering Medical Education Events, Sponsorships, Advisory Boards, Other Fee-for-Service contracts, and Grants & Donations to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with corporate policies.
- Flawless Execution of Logistics: Collaborate with the Medical Education Management Associates to ensure a seamless planning, execution, and reconciliation process, optimizing operational efficiency.
- Deliver High-Value Scientific Programs: Work closely with direct reports—Medical Education Experts—to design and execute scientific programs that deliver measurable value to HCPs and align with the organization’s therapeutic area priorities.
- Evaluate Grants and Donations: Thoroughly assess and evaluate submitted Grants and Donations requests to ensure alignment with ethical standards, strategic priorities, and compliance requirements.
- Collaborate with Commercial Teams: Partner with BUMs and commercial teams to achieve seamless execution of the Brand Plan, maximizing all available opportunities while maintaining a compliant approach.
- Contracts and Payments Supervision: Oversee the Medical Affairs Management Associate to ensure accuracy and consistency in the management of contracts and payments, minimizing risks, and avoiding deviations.
- Multifunctional Collaboration for Excellence: Actively work alongside the Medical Director, Therapeutic Area Lead, BUMs/CVTLs, and cross-functional departments such as HCC, Finance, and Procurement to ensure flawless implementation of each Therapy Area priorities while promoting compliance, operational excellence, and strategic alignment.
Country Value Team Leader, Hematology
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
11.2018 - 03.2022
- As a CVTL, I acted as a bridge, strategist, and execution leader, aligning EMEA-level strategic vision with local market requirements, leading without authority two cross functional teams, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and delivering strong business results while positioning the brands Darzalex and Imbruvica for long-term success.
- Strategic Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration: In this role, I strategically guided the cross-functional CVT teams, integrating input from various departments while driving initiatives without formal authority. My ability to collaborate effectively with CVT members allowed me to leverage their expertise, ensuring executional excellence by tailoring the EMEA brand value strategic plans to local market conditions and customer needs.
- Localization of Strategic Plans: I led the development, alignment, and execution of Local Brand Value Plans, ensuring they were in tune with specific market requirements, competitive environments, local customer insights, and key business priorities. Through this, I ensured that strategies addressed both current and future needs of the local market while supporting long-term objectives.
- End-to-End Leadership of Action Plans: I oversaw the implementation of tactical plans and initiatives, driving measurable business results. This included aligning activities across functions, from marketing to medical and access teams, to achieve goals efficiently and effectively.
- Expert Knowledge of Brands at the Local Level: As a CVTL, I maintained in-depth knowledge of Hematology brands within the country, including deep insights into customer preferences, the competitive landscape, and evolving healthcare trends. This market intelligence allowed me to position products such as Imbruvica and Darzalex effectively, driving sustainable growth.
- Direct Impact on Business Results: My leadership directly impacted the success of two key Hematology brands, Imbruvica and Darzalex, through the robust execution of local strategies, achieving critical milestones, and ensuring alignment with global and regional priorities.
- Oversight of Brand Management: I assumed substantial responsibility for guiding and overseeing Brand Managers under my purview, ensuring that their objectives were strategically aligned with broader brand goals. This included mentoring them to develop professionally and uphold executional excellence in all activities.
Senior Medical Education Expert, Hematology
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
01.2015 - 11.2018
- As Senior Medical Education Expert, Hematology at Janssen, my primary objective was to support the successful introduction in the market and value establishment of Imbruvica and Darzalex by designing and executing impactful and high-value scientific medical education programs.
- Identification of Educational Needs and Strategic Planning: I identified critical educational needs within the Hematology therapeutic area and developed a tailored, strategic Medical Education plan to address them. This involved aligning educational priorities with the broader strategic objectives of the Hematology franchise while ensuring value delivery to HCPs.
- Design, Coordination, and Implementation of Educational Programs: I led the creation, coordination, and active management of medical training programs. These programs provided healthcare professionals with critical scientific knowledge and insights to enhance patient care and align with therapy goals.
- Collaboration with Medical Experts to Maximize Impact: By collaborating with KOLs and faculty, I ensured medical training sessions were highly effective and impactful. This also enabled the gathering of valuable insights to drive the development of innovative and forward-looking Medical Education programs, elevating their scientific relevance.
- Budget Planning and Financial Oversight: I developed detailed budget planning for the Hematology Medical Education programs, ensuring financial stewardship. I closely monitored the budgeting process, provided recommendations, and supported revenue forecasting, ensuring all activities were aligned with financial objectives.
- Project Management and Evaluation: I tracked and reported on the status of several ongoing projects, ensuring timely execution. Additionally, I facilitated continuous evaluation of the impact of Medical Education programs and identified areas of improvement for future initiatives.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration for Seamless Execution: I worked closely with marketing and sales colleagues, coordinating with them on the scheduling of dates, venues, and logistics for educational events. This ensured seamless execution of programs and optimal alignment with respective brand strategies.
- Ensuring Compliance and Ethical Standards: A key element of my role was ensuring absolute compliance and strict adherence to regulatory, HCC, and ethical standards throughout every step of the Medical Education program’s development and execution.
- Impact and Contribution: In this role, I made significant contributions to successfully and establishing the value of Imbruvica and Darzalex in the Hematology market by executing high-quality medical education initiatives that elevated the scientific knowledge of HCPs.
Medical Education Expert, Oncology-Hematology
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
10.2011 - 01.2015
- As Medical Education Expert, Oncology-Hematology at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, my main objective was to maximize the value of Velcade and support the successful launches of Zytiga and Imbruvica by designing and executing high-impact scientific medical education programs.
- Building and Nurturing Relationships with KOLs: I established and maintained strong relationships with Key Opinion Leaders at both national and international levels, becoming a trusted educational consultant and resource for these influential thought leaders.
- Partnership with Medical Associations: I collaborated closely with Medical Associations, particularly in the fields of Urology, Oncology, and Hematology, to ensure alignment of educational initiatives with professional needs and standards. This collaboration also strengthened program reach and credibility among healthcare professionals.
- Identifying Educational Gaps and Developing Tailored Plans: I proactively identified medical gaps in the Oncology-Hematology landscape, using these insights to design and implement a Medical Education plan tailored to address the evolving needs of HCPs.
- Budget Planning and Financial Oversight: I developed and implemented detailed budget plans for Medical Education programs, tracked program finances closely, and provided recommendations to ensure alignment with departmental and organizational objectives.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration with Marketing and Sales: Partnering closely with marketing and sales teams, I coordinated activities to achieve synergy between educational and commercial initiatives. This collaboration was critical in ensuring seamless execution of strategic plans.
- Ensuring Compliance and Adherence to Regulations: I upheld compliance and regulatory standards throughout the development and execution of Medical Education programs, ensuring all activities adhered to HCC guidelines and ethical practices, thereby safeguarding the company’s reputation and credibility.
Medical Science Liaison, Velcade
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
12.2007 - 10.2011
- Main goal was to support scientifically the clinical value proposition of Velcade through scientific communication with Leading Specialists on a peer-to-peer base Responsibilities: Keeping abreast of medical and scientific knowledge.
- Development and maintenance network with Leading Specialists.
- Proactive and reactive communication of medical scientific data to Leading Specialists.
- Execution of research/educational grants procedure.
- Organization and participation in Medical Education activities.
- Organization and participation in Advisory Boards in cooperation with Medical Advisor/Medical Director.
- Provision of scientific support to company Sales Representatives.
- To support Medical Affairs study execution for example, through involvement in site selection and protocol evaluation but not by undertaking monitoring activities.
- Through scientific interactions, gain valuable insight into treatment patterns, and scientific activities in the therapeutic area and provide input to company Medical Affairs Plan / business decision making.
- Through scientific interactions with Leading Specialists, champion medical benefits of products and contribute to foster innovative therapeutic approaches to benefit patients.
Medical Communication Expert, Oncology-Hematology
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
12.2005 - 12.2007
- Main goal was to enhance value of Eprex and Velcade through high scientific communication with Leading Specialists Responsibilities: Keeping abreast of medical and scientific knowledge.
- Development and maintenance of a contact network with Leading Specialists.
- Proactive and reactive communication of medical scientific data to Leading Specialists.
- Participation in Medical Education activities.
- Provision of scientific support to company Sales Representatives.
- Management of field based medical projects.
- Through scientific interactions, gain valuable insight into treatment patterns, and scientific activities in therapeutic area and provide input to company Medical Affairs Plan / business decision making.
Sales Representative, NSc
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
04.2002 - 12.2005
- Establishment and maintenance of strong network with significant Neurologists and Psychiatrists through persistent communication to promote Risperdal, Risperdal Consta and Topamac benefits and maximize sales.
- Achievement of objectives (qualitative and quantitative) every year through outstanding performance.
Sales Representative, Psychiatry
AstraZeneca
01.2001 - 04.2002
- Founding a robust network with significant Psychiatrists through systematic communication to promote Seroquel benefits and maximize sales.
- Achievement of objectives (qualitative and quantitative) every year through outstanding performance.
Sales Representative, NSc
Parke Davis-Pfizer
09.1997 - 01.2001
- Promotion of Neurontin benefits in Neurologists and capitalization on brand value to increase sales.
- Achievement of objectives (qualitative and quantitative) every year through outstanding performance.
Clinical Trials Monitoring Assistant
Parke Davis
10.1996 - 09.1997
- Assigned projects focused on Lipitor observational clinical study, responsibilities: Serving as primary contact with customer for progress and governance.
- Developing study management plans and ensuring consistent use of study tools, training materials and compliance with standard processes, policies and procedures.
- Ensuring study budget is managed proactively including scope changes and financial systems are accurate.
Education
MBA - Strategic Management
National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
04.2020 - 01.2021
Master's Degree - Health Institutions and Policies
University of Peloponnese
01.2014 - 01.2018
Bachelor's Degree - Chemistry
University of Patras
09.1991 - 10.1995
Graduation Certification - undefined
General Lyceum of Vrachati
Skills
- Strong medical/scientific expertise
- Leadership and teamwork
- Strategic planning
- Project planning and execution
- Competitive analysis
- Decision-making
- Customer Relations
- Problem solving strength
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Management team development
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 02/13/74
- Marital Status: Married
Timeline
Medical Education Manager
Johnson & Johnson IM
04.2022 - Current
MBA - Strategic Management
National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
04.2020 - 01.2021
Country Value Team Leader, Hematology
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
11.2018 - 03.2022
Senior Medical Education Expert, Hematology
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
01.2015 - 11.2018
Master's Degree - Health Institutions and Policies
University of Peloponnese
01.2014 - 01.2018
Medical Education Expert, Oncology-Hematology
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
10.2011 - 01.2015
Medical Science Liaison, Velcade
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
12.2007 - 10.2011
Medical Communication Expert, Oncology-Hematology
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
12.2005 - 12.2007
Sales Representative, NSc
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
04.2002 - 12.2005
Sales Representative, Psychiatry
AstraZeneca
01.2001 - 04.2002
Sales Representative, NSc
Parke Davis-Pfizer
09.1997 - 01.2001
Clinical Trials Monitoring Assistant
Parke Davis
10.1996 - 09.1997
Bachelor's Degree - Chemistry
University of Patras
09.1991 - 10.1995
Graduation Certification - undefined
General Lyceum of Vrachati