Blue Matter today announced the launch of an expanded policy capability to support biopharma clients, led by Milena Sullivan, a Partner who joined the firm in December 2025.
Milena Sullivan brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare policy, advocacy, and market access, advising life science companies, trade associations, and provider organizations on policy issues shaping their business. Prior to joining Blue Matter, she spent almost a decade with Avalere Health, where most recently she led the policy practice. She has also held in-house policy roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, as well as policy positions in the nonprofit space, including at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She holds an MA in International Policy and Practice from The George Washington University and a BA from Miami University of Ohio.
At Blue Matter, Milena is leading a policy capability that integrates directly into the firm’s broad range of client offerings, so clients get policy insight embedded in the strategic decisions where it matters most. According to Sullivan, “The nature of US health policy has shifted from discrete proposals to a coordinated recalibration of pressure points that collectively steer market behavior. Policy changes and political signaling are affecting nearly every aspect of commercial strategy in biopharma.” She added, “Our goal is to help clients cut through the uncertainty and transform confusion into competitive advantage.”
The firm’s policy offerings encompass the full arc of client need, from policy monitoring and analysis through strategy development, scenario planning, risk mitigation, and external engagement. Capabilities also include policy-informed commercial, access, evidence, and launch strategy development.
Managing Partner, Ashwin Dandekar said, “Milena and her team bring outstanding policy expertise to the team. Not only are they highly effective as dedicated policy experts, but they also shine as a ‘force multiplier’ that embeds across all our consulting teams, including commercial, market access, medical affairs, communications, and R&D. We’re very excited about our expanded capabilities in this area.”
