Brand Strategist. Storyteller. Creative Director. Problem Solver.

Visionary and strategic, humble and impactful, flexible and thoughtful. I create, cultivate, and drive brands.

Ryan Wade / ryan_c_wade@icloud.com / 781.801.5206 / Download Resumé

MY STORY

I’m a creative brand strategist with 25 years of experience leading award-winning teams at biotech/pharma companies and top design firms. I help brands connect on an emotional level – building trust, shaping reputation, and driving results. I bring deep expertise in corporate branding, creative direction, visual and digital communications, video, social media, and strategic planning. Whether leading a team or managing projects independently, I focus on telling a company’s story in ways that are clear, compelling, and human.

MY PATH

I’m currently seeking my next opportunity with a top-notch design and/or communications team that values authentic storytelling, bold thinking, and building and fostering emotional connections with customers. I’m known as a connector and collaborator who brings energy, clarity, and creative direction to every challenge. While I have deep roots in the life sciences, I’m open to new industries where I can help shape meaningful and impactful work. Simply put: I love to create.

Beyond the office, you’ll find me outdoors. I’m an avid hiker who’s climbed peaks across New England and trekked to Mt. Everest Base Camp. The trail continues to teach me about hard work, camaraderie, and perseverance – and I’m always looking for the next summit to reach.

Sage Therapeutics / sagerx.com
Senior Director, Corporate Brand Strategy / ‘23 - Present
Director, Corporate Brand & Graphic Design / ’21 - ‘23

  • Led the growth and governance of Sage’s corporate brand, ensuring alignment across storytelling, visual communications, and digital platforms

  • Enhanced brand equity through the creation and amplification of patient stories, helping build trust and credibility with key stakeholders and supporting commercial launch excellence for ZURZUVAE®, the first oral medication for women with postpartum depression

  • Implemented brand-related organizational efficiencies and creative services, increasing productivity across the org and saving Sage time and resources amounting to ~$1M annually

  • Onboarded vendors/agencies through brand education, preserving cross-functional energy for business priorities, saving Sage ~$250,000 annually

  • Acted as a strategic thought partner and a central resource for brand standards, providing guidance, resources, and education to ensure consistency across business objectives 

CAREER EXPERIENCE


Apellis Pharmaceuticals / apellis.com
Director, Corporate Communications / ’18 - ‘21

  • Drove the development and visibility of Apellis’ corporate branding and messaging, bringing its unique story to life internally and externally

  • Grew followership of Apellis’ social media channels by 300% over three years, roughly ~59% year-over-year growth

  • Advanced the recognition and reputation of Apellis within the industry and with key stakeholders, contributing to company growth (50 to 500+ employees) its first product launch (EMPAVELI®) and expansion of global offices (two to six)

  • Established and led the Apellis FUNdation team – fostering employee engagement and satisfaction while championing and supporting company culture and social responsibility efforts

Takeda Oncology / takedaoncology.com
Associate Director, Internal Communications -
Global Oncology Business Unit and Takeda Boston / ’17 - ’18
Associate Director, Oncology Corporate Communications / ’16 - ’17
Senior Manager, Visual Communications / ’12 - ’14
Manager, Visual Communications / ’09 - ’12

  • Advanced Takeda’s brand recognition as a global leader in oncology through compelling corporate branding and design

  • Drove growth and visibility of Moving Mountains 4 Multiple Myeloma, Takeda’s patient engagement program, helping to raise over $1 million in funds for research between ‘16 - ‘18

  • Built and enhanced the value and reputation of the company brand through strategic communications and business solutions that helped achieve organizational and global objectives

  • Educated employees and key stakeholders about Takeda’s impact on patients through a steady stream of branding and communication touchpoints





Alnylam Pharmaceuticals / alnylam.com
Senior Manager, Creative & Corporate Communications / ’14 - ’16

  • Created and established an internal branding and design team that developed the current Alnylam corporate brand and increased industry recognition through consistent messaging and differentiated visuals

  • Internalized graphic design and creative services, saving Alnylam ~$500,000 on agency design fees, project management, markups, and turnaround time

  • Drove visibility of Alnylam’s social channels through engaging content and visuals

  • Led branding, storytelling, and strategic planning of Alnylam’s 2015 & 2016 All Hands Company Meetings, resulting in faster turnaround time on projects compared to outsourced agencies

Phillips Design Group (merged with MOTIV)
Senior Designer / ‘07 - ‘09

  • Acted as a key point of contact with clients for creative discussions, presentations, and feedback sessions

  • Worked with clients to evolve and refine brand identities, ensuring consistency across all materials and touchpoints

  • Provided guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level designers, helping them develop their skills

  • Responsibilities spanned from research and art direction, to design and client relations

Clients: Gillette, Proctor & Gamble, Oral B, Hasbro, Fidelity, Staples, Loomis Sayles, Brookstone, Clark University

AGENCY EXPERIENCE

Foster Design Group
Senior Designer / ‘00 - ‘07

  • Drove concept development and innovation for wide range of client materials such as: advertising, annual reports, branding, direct-to-consumer campaigns, environmental, interactive, and packaging

  • Prepared and presented design concepts to clients, stakeholders, and new business prospects

  • Juggled multiple aspects of projects and ensured that design goals aligned with client needs

Clients: Biogen, BJ’s, Charles River Laboratories, Harvard Business School, Incyte, Parexel, Rowenta, Talbots

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
BFA - Graphic Design
AAS - Illustration

EDUCATION

Branding, Graphic Design, Corporate Brand Strategy, Storytelling, Creative Direction, Visual/Digital Communications, Video, Strategic Planning, Social Media, Experiential Marketing, Employee Engagement, Culture Champion, Cross-functional Collaboration, Enterprise-wide Thinking

PROFICIENCIES

  • Member of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s New England Four Thousand Footers Club: hiked a total of 67 mountains that are 4,000 feet or higher (48 in New Hampshire, 14 in Maine, 5 in Vermont)

  • Moving Mountains 4 Multiple Myeloma Everest Base Camp Trek ‘18: Hiked to Mt. Everest Base Camp with multiple myeloma patients, physicians and caregivers. Raised $14,000 for multiple myeloma research. Watch the trek video here (credit: Uncage the Soul Productions)

  • Boston Marathon Finisher ‘08: Raised $3,500 for the American Liver Foundation

HONORS

  • Graphic Design USA ‘12: CORE Values Handbook / Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company

  • Sappi Printers of the Year Award ‘10: Calendar Division - Gold: Employee Calendar / Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company

  • Graphic Design USA ‘01: Charles River Laboratories Annual Report (AR)

  • Black Book Annual Report 100 ‘01: Biogen AR, Charles River Laboratories AR

RECOGNITION