Ramona Burress, PharmD, is a recognized leader in healthcare and patient engagement, with recent experience as Head of Patient Engagement and Insights at Takeda Pharmaceuticals within the Center for Health Equity and Patient Affairs (HEPA). In this role, Ramona collaborated across Takeda’s global teams to drive patient engagement strategies integrated into the clinical continuum. A key member of HEPA’s leadership, she played a central role in promoting health equity through innovative patient-focused approaches.

As a licensed clinical pharmacist, Ramona has consistently advocated for improved patient outcomes and health equity. Before her time at Takeda, she was the Director of Diversity & Inclusion in Clinical Trials at Janssen Pharmaceuticals of Johnson & Johnson, where she established partnerships that successfully increased participation from underrepresented and underserved populations in clinical research.

Ramona’s areas of expertise span infectious diseases and oncology, holding board certifications in both. She is widely regarded as a transformative leader who excels at fostering collaborations with patient advocacy groups, opinion leaders, and non-governmental organizations. Her career includes pivotal roles such as Healthcare Specialty Supervisor at Walgreens, where she supported patients with complex health needs.

Currently, Ramona serves in advisory roles with 2Flo Ventures and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), furthering her commitment to patient engagement and health equity.Ramona is also an active community advocate, serving as Chair of the Friends of Kenwood Academy, where she supports educational enrichment and resource expansion. Additionally, she serves as a board member for Susan G. Komen Chicago and the University of Chicago’s Women’s Board, and as the board chair of health NFPs including ONYX360 and the MarSid Fund. Her work reflects a deep dedication to advancing healthcare access and equity.Her personal life revolves around her three college-aged children, who attend Temple University, North Carolina A&T, and Columbia University in New York.Her educational path began at Northwestern University, leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In her free time, Ramona enjoys outdoor concerts, nature walks, and volunteering in her community.