In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning sits down with Marilena Vrana, Vice President of Public Affairs and EU Operations at the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA), to explore what it takes to lead a global association strategy with unity, speed, and impact.
From Brussels to Washington, Marilena shares how her team navigates cultural, regulatory, and political complexity while keeping member needs and patient access front and center. With decades of experience in European health policy and a deep commitment to collaboration, she offers powerful lessons in stakeholder engagement, cross-border communication, and values-based leadership.
🎧 Whether you’re managing regional offices or rethinking your global footprint, this episode delivers clear, thoughtful insight into how associations can stay aligned across continents—and stay ahead of change.
Key Highlights:
Anticipating Change, Not Just Reacting: Marilena explains how PPTA stayed ahead of new EU legislation on substances of human origin—mobilizing early, preparing members, and showing up as a trusted, expert voice.
Stakeholder Listening with Empathy and Intent: Why true advocacy starts with active listening—not just to members and partners, but to policymakers too. Marilena shares how building human-centered relationships helps advance shared goals.
Transatlantic Alignment in Practice: From messaging consistency to cultural fluency, Marilena breaks down how her team collaborates across European and American offices—and why diversity is their greatest strength.
What Makes PPTA a Model for Global Associations: Learn how PPTA evolved from fragmented entities into one global voice—driven by strategic planning, agile operations, and a shared mission of patient access to life-saving plasma-derived therapies.
Mission-Led Strategy for 2025 and Beyond: Hear PPTA’s three priorities for the next two years: raising awareness of plasma therapies, ensuring policies work in practice, and building trust through transparency, evidence, and partnership.
Leadership Lessons from Lived Experience: From navigating uncertainty to leading with empathy, Marilena shares deeply personal reflections on how her experience as a patient shaped her leadership philosophy—and why authenticity is her greatest asset.
🎧 Tune in for a global perspective on association leadership that’s grounded, strategic, and refreshingly human.
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Coming Soon: We’re continuing to sit down with top association leaders for real-world insights on what’s working, what’s changing, and how they’re navigating the challenges—and opportunities—ahead. Stay tuned!