Kristin M. Keller » Executive Vice President

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Interview By: Maureen Miller

Title:
Executive Vice President

Brands Influenced:
Feiba, Increlex, Proleukin, Somatuline Depot, Ventavis, Carbaglu, and more

Education:
BA, Psychology
Mills College

Hobbies:
Cooking, gardening, beekeeping, reading, travel

I also serve on the board of Womanspace, Inc., a leading nonprofit agency in Mercer County, New Jersey, that provides a comprehensive array of services to individuals and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence and dedicated to improving the quality of life for women and their families.

Favorite Quote:
“I don’t do life crises. I really don’t. Life’s too short. Get over it. Move on to the next thing.” – Condoleezza Rice

Why did Compass choose to focus on rare diseases?
I entered this industry because I had a passion for healthcare, for touching the lives of people suffering from disease. I chose not to follow the traditional path of clinical medicine, and found a home in medical marketing. After spending time in the industry and working on a wide range of different therapies, different diseases, you learn what makes you passionate, what fulfills you, what gets you up in the morning. For me, for Peter, and for many of us it is the chance to make a difference; to have a real, tangible impact on lives. When the work you do can make the difference between an infant either being diagnosed with a serious hereditary disease or suffering for years first, it’s inspirational; it’s addictive! That is how we found our way to rare diseases; we were drawn to what we were most passionate about. To lead a purpose-driven agency, where we have a clear focus on understanding the patient experience in rare diseases, is incredibly fulfilling – I’m doing what I love to do.”

You and Peter started Compass in 2003. At that time, what predictions were  people making about the Internet that were later proved wrong?
We said online would become more and more important as a channel for healthcare professionals, but all of us underestimated how fast it would pervade the industry. None of us expected how quickly it would become a critical communication channel and practice resource for physicians.

Compass has a unique culture. What part of Compass would you say is distinctly “you?”
It’s really hard to isolate what parts of Compass come from me, from Peter, and the many talented people in the Compass family – it’s really a blend. I am a passionate person that is committed to doing meaningful work that will have real impact on the people we are reaching – patients, parents, healthcare professionals – and that passion is certainly shared throughout the agency. So perhaps that and an enduring commitment to always strive for perfection!

Outside of work, you are a committed gardener and beekeeper. What sort of comparisons can you draw between being a beekeeper and online marketing?
What pops into my mind is authenticity, which matters in both. Why I advocate for meaningful content and truly valuable services for our clients’ audiences (healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers) is because if a brand wants to really change behavior and create positive relationships, it has to bring a real and authentic interaction to the exchange. Without authenticity, it’s totally meaningless, and that is just not going to change behavior.

Similarly, in growing your own food and having that sort of relationship with nature and your food, that is authenticity on a personal level.

Let’s talk more about food. What has been your inspiration?
I come from a food family and have been cooking since I was really young. Food has always been an important part of my family culture and tradition. Cooking is what we do when we get together as a family. I share a much neglected blog with my brother to discuss recipes and restaurant experiences.

Now that you’re a mom (of two!), does this change your approach to thinking about caregivers in the healthcare sphere?
I always intellectually understood the concept of the “chief health officer” of the household/family. But now I have a much different approach – I have a greater sense of vigilance and urgency. Having an infant can be terrifying because they’re so fragile – there is a real sense of mortality due to the risk of different health issues. That changes as they grow and get bigger and stronger. But, you become a much stronger advocate when you have little kids. Being a parent is amazing and it completely changes your perspective.