RIDGEFIELD, USA // Kate O’Connor is executive director of Public Relations at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  She leads a PR and communications team that counsels executives on communications strategy.  Together, they develop and deliver strategic public relations programming, internal and executive communications, and rapid response efforts in support of the company’s US in-market and pipeline prescription medicine products and disease areas of focus.  Her team works with other Public Affairs & Communications functions to create and deliver integrated programs that reach a variety of stakeholders.  Kate is a member of the US Prescription Medicines Committee and the Prescription Medicines Management Team.  Previously, Kate was associate director, Public Relations at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.  She has led communications there across a range of therapeutic categories.  Her first corporate position was at Novartis Consumer Health managing PR for the company’s over-the-counter portfolio.  After graduating cum laude from Colgate University with a BA in Philosophy, Kate began her career at a PR agency in New York.  She lives with her husband and three children in Connecticut.