Lauren Smith Dyer Joins Alliance for Aging Research as Vice President of Communications

Smith Dyer brings a robust background in traditional and digital patient advocacy communications, crossing government, nonprofit and for-profit sectors

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2018 – Today the Alliance for Aging Research (Alliance) is pleased to announce that award-winning public affairs executive Lauren Smith Dyer, MBA, has joined the organization as its Vice President of Communications.

Smith Dyer brings to the Alliance more than 15 years of experience in traditional and digital health advocacy communications, having counseled government agencies, nonprofit organizations and biopharmaceutical companies through complex business and communications challenges related to critically-important health, research, and regulatory issues.

“Lauren brings to the Alliance a unique background of creative national issue advocacy communications, a strategic planning and business development mindset and an unparalleled expertise in patient advocacy,” says Susan Peschin, MHS, Alliance president and CEO. “The Alliance is delighted to have her join us to encourage innovation in healthy aging.”

Smith Dyer comes to the Alliance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where she served as a spokesperson for the agency on the Commissioner’s senior media affairs team. Smith Dyer was responsible for planning and executing media engagement strategies to educate general and specialized audiences about FDA programs, actions and accomplishments, specifically those related to the agency’s patient-focused drug development program, human research subject protection and oversight, clinical trials and the drug development process, and pharmaceutical quality.

Prior to her time at the FDA, Smith Dyer led the communications, branding and reputation management efforts as Director of Communications for the Melanoma Research Foundation. There she spearheaded award-winning campaigns that positioned the organization as the leading resource for people impacted by melanoma.

Over the course of her career, Smith Dyer has used her knowledge of traditional and digital media landscapes to engage specialized audiences on hot-topic issues, including healthcare reform, long-term care, mental illness, rare diseases, and more.

“The Alliance for Aging Research is greatly respected for its far-reaching and impactful policy and health education programs that convene the greatest minds in aging research and science,” said Smith Dyer. “I look forward to playing a part in the Alliance’s work to spur innovation in healthy aging and advance research in Alzheimer’s disease, sarcopenia, heart valve disease, and other pressing issues affecting our nation’s rapidly aging population.”

Smith Dyer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Media Studies from Fordham University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Loyola University Maryland. Smith Dyer is former president of Washington Women in Public Relations, a member-based professional society in Washington, D.C. focused on cultivating female communicators and leaders.

About the Alliance for Aging Research
The Alliance for Aging Research is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the pace of scientific discoveries and their application to vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health. The Alliance believes advances in research help people live longer, happier, more productive lives and reduce healthcare costs over the long term. For more than 30 years, the Alliance has guided efforts to substantially increase funding and focus for aging at the National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration; built influential coalitions to guide groundbreaking regulatory improvements for age-related diseases; and created award-winning, high-impact educational materials to improve the health and well-being of older adults and their family caregivers. For more information, visit www.agingresearch.org

Media Contact:
Breanna Bishop
[email protected].