2025 executive JURY CHAIRS
ALLISON CERASO - health & wellness
Allison’s secret to success is simple: she genuinely cares about people. “The brands we work on, the work we do, has real impact on people's lives," shared Allison. "In the space of health and pharma, our end user doesn't always want to be using our products; they must, for the sake of their health. Building meaningful relationships with customers might be the hardest thing to do in advertising, but when we do it, we change lives and help people be better, and ultimately, live better."
She has recently joined Publicis Health as Chief Creative Officer for Digitas Health — the largest health agency within Publicis — with a vision for integrating inclusive design and creativity in health and wellness advertising. Her previous award winning ParkinSex and ScART initiatives inspired Parkinson’s and Breast Cancer communities and delivered on her vision of design inclusivity.
Allison has made impactful work with her health clients, recently in asthma and Alzheimer’s Disease, getting big Pharma recognized at Cannes, NYF and Clio Health. Allison has been a Cannes Lions “See It, Be It” Mentor in 2024, was recognized by Campaign US as a “40 over 40,” and was an HBA Rising Star. She works closely with FIT Ad Design school and is a board member of the Research Foundation to Cure AIDS.
kathleen nanda - Pharma
Kathleen, a 14-year veteran of FCB Health NY, has spent more than 20 years creating effective, award-winning work on marquee brands across a broad range of categories. She began her career in consumer advertising, working for notable clients such as AT&T, Ford, Citibank, Sprint, Kodak, and the US Marine Corps, among others. After discovering healthcare, she eagerly jumped in and never looked back.
Over the span of her career, she has been both a winner and a juror at The New York Festivals, Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, Clios, Effies, and more. Her category experience is vast, and she’s created award-winning work for all types of brands, from dermatology to virology.
Grounded in a firm belief that creativity has the power to help improve lives, she relentlessly pushes for work that breaks through and changes human behavior in new and unexpected ways.
The tremendous potential of healthcare advertising still excites her daily, and she is thrilled to be in a position to help enhance the work, and most importantly, the lives of those impacted by it.
Get to Know the Chairs
Join host Aleisia Gibson Wright, President of GW Health Public Relations, on behalf of New York Festivals, for the launch of In The Chair with the 2025 NYF Health Executive Jury Chairs.
SUPPORTED BY GW PUBLIC RELATIONS
Allison Ceraso, Chief Creative Officer, Digitas Health
Aleisia and Allison dig into a dynamic conversation that explores the intersection of creativity, healthcare, and humanity. Allison offers a behind-the-scenes look at what makes award-winning work stand out: authenticity, nuance, and a deep understanding of the human condition. She stresses the importance of clear, compassionate messaging. From redefining innovation beyond tech to championing personalized experiences, she believes in leading with heart and purpose—a powerful reminder of why healthcare needs creativity, and why creativity needs heart.
Kathleen Nanda, Chief Creative Officer, FCB New York, an IPG Health Company
Aleisia and Kathleen share a candid conversation about creativity, leadership, and the power of storytelling in healthcare. Kathleen offers a sharp look into what moves the jury: work that surprises, challenges, and connects on a deeply human level. The boldest ideas, she says, are the ones brave enough to say something new—and true. Known for her fearless voice and emotionally charged work, Kathleen shares how curiosity, compassion, and clarity fuel her creative drive. She believes healthcare ideas should be as bold and beautifully crafted as any consumer campaign.
Aleisia Gibson Wright founded GW Health Public Relations to transform how healthcare organizations connect with key stakeholders and audiences. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare and corporate communications, she has led global campaigns, shaped industry narratives, and driven impactful storytelling initiatives that inspire meaningful action.
Recognized as a PRWeek Top 30 Health Influencer, Aleisia’s expertise spans pharmaceuticals, biotech, and healthcare sectors. She has successfully launched groundbreaking initiatives across diverse therapeutic areas, including weight loss, diabetes, rare diseases, and oncology. As a sought-after speaker and panel moderator, she is a respected thought leader dedicated to advancing and expanding health communications.