Jeff Winton established Jeff Winton Associates, a Chicago and Boston-based, full-service communications agency in February 2020 after a four-decade communications and corporate affairs career with both leading corporations and respected public relations and advertising agencies. This global experience spans highly diverse and dynamic industries, including the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, animal health, agricultural and consumer arenas.
Prior to founding his namesake agency, Winton served as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Alkermes in Boston where he created and led a new Public Affairs function that encompassed corporate brand and reputation; corporate, product, internal, sales and R&D communications; patient advocacy; corporate social responsibility; and corporate events. Previously, Winton was Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Astellas Pharma where he was responsible for building the company’s Corporate Affairs function to evolve and better support its strategic priorities.
Earlier in his career, Winton was Vice-President and Head of Global Communications at Eli Lilly and Company. He also served as Vice President and Head of Global Communications at Pharmacia until it was acquired by Pfizer and Group Vice President and Head of Global Communications at Schering-Plough until it was acquired by Merck.
Throughout his career, Winton has received several prestigious industry awards, including the 2017 Plank Center John Koten Corporate Mentor Award, the first annual Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Health Academy Excellence in Public Relations Award, and the 2015 Chicago Skyline PRSA Professional of the Year Award. He remains active in a number of professional organizations, including PRSA, The Seminar, and Arthur W. Page Society. He is currently serving on the Board of Advisors for The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations.
Winton graduated with distinction from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and completed graduate level courses at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He also serves on the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council. An avid equestrian who competes in several competitions across the country each year, Winton also belongs to several different professional equestrian organizations.