Nadine Petoletti McDonnell, MPA, CMR, has built a career defined by her leadership in pharmaceutical marketing and her dedication to advancing care for patients with rare diseases. As senior director of marketing for Increlex at Eton Pharmaceuticals, she guides all aspects of brand management within the pediatric endocrinology division. In this role, she leads strategies that address the unique needs of patients living with rare endocrine disorders, ensuring that innovative therapies are supported by education and awareness. Her work reflects both her professional expertise and her personal commitment to improving patient outcomes in this highly specialized field.
Ms. McDonnell’s educational background laid the foundation for her career success. She earned a Master of Public Administration in organizational change from California State University, East Bay. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing from San Diego State University, where she completed a minor in philosophy with a focus on ethics and values. These academic experiences equipped her with the strategic, ethical and analytical skills that have shaped her approach to leadership in the pharmaceutical industry.
Driven by her commitment to patient advocacy, Ms. McDonnell’s career in rare diseases has been especially meaningful, allowing her to collaborate with physicians, patients and advocacy groups in ways that elevate awareness and education. She has consistently been recognized for her contributions, earning several President’s Club Circle of Excellence Awards for exceptional performance.
Ms. McDonnell’s career has encompassed a series of progressive roles that demonstrate growth and adaptability. Before assuming her leadership position at Eton Pharmaceuticals, she was an associate director of marketing at Orphalan, contributing to initiatives supporting orphan drugs and deepening her impact on the rare disease community. She also held the role of associate director of marketing at Epizyme in Cambridge, Massachusetts, supporting therapies designed to meet the needs of patients facing significant treatment gaps.
As her career advanced, Ms. McDonnell’s work at Ipsen Pharma in Cambridge included several responsibilities across the rare disease portfolio. She advanced from clinical science specialist to endocrinology account specialist and later to senior product manager for rare disease marketing focused on growth disorders. These positions allowed her to build strong relationships with healthcare providers and advocacy groups, providing education and support around complex medical conditions.
Ms. McDonnell’s experience also includes positions with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, working as a territory manager and senior specialty representative focusing on diabetes and cardiovascular care. At TAP Pharmaceuticals, she spent more than a decade managing key accounts and supporting medical institutions as a hospital account executive and professional representative. She began her career at Leiner Health Products, where her initial experience in pharmaceutical sales shaped her future trajectory toward specialty care.
Ms. McDonnell’s commitment to service extended beyond the corporate world when she served as an instructor with the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps. In this role, she provided mentorship and training, reflecting her dedication to guiding and inspiring future leaders. She has also pursued extensive professional development. She holds certifications including an edX verified certificate in exercising leadership, a certified medical representative credential emphasizing science and medicine and IPSEN certified endocrinology account specialist credentials. These qualifications highlight her commitment to continuous growth and to maintaining a high standard of excellence in her field.
Beyond her professional life, Ms. McDonnell is engaged with her community as a donor to her local church. She also values personal pursuits such as gardening, swimming and dancing, and she finds fulfillment in time spent with her family, especially her son. In the future, she aims to continue advancing within pharmaceutical marketing while maintaining her focus on ultra-rare diseases. She remains dedicated to raising awareness, fostering collaboration, and supporting patients and families navigating the challenges of rare conditions. Her career reflects resilience, expertise and commitment to improving health care for those most in need.