NEW YORK, N.Y. – April 23, 2026 – ICR, one of the largest independent strategic communications and advisory firms in North America, today announced two major appointments within its Healthcare practice, deepening the firm’s reach and signaling its commitment to continued growth in the sector.
“Companies in the healthcare sector are navigating a moment of escalating complexity in the world and capital markets at the same time that their narratives are under more scrutiny than ever,” said ICR CEO Anton Nicholas. “The right communications strategy can close the gap between strategy and perception, and our view is that companies shouldn’t have to choose between a firm that understands their investors and one that can tell their story. At ICR, those aren’t two different engagements, and bringing Matt and John in reflects this.”
The appointments mark the latest step in ICR’s ongoing investment in its global healthcare practice, which now encompasses more than 80 team members serving over 150 clients across all healthcare sub-sectors globally. The firm’s healthcare revenues have roughly doubled over the past 7 years.
John Capodanno will serve as Partner and Head of US Healthcare Corporate Communications. Matthew Willey will serve as Managing Director within ICR’s Medical Technology and Diagnostics practice.
Mr. Capodanno brings more than 25 years of experience advising healthcare and life sciences companies on corporate communications, investor relations, and crisis management. His client experience spans major global pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AbbVie, and Novartis, as well as emerging life sciences firms, hospital systems, medical device companies, and payors. Most recently, he served as Partner at DGA Group, where he was part of the leadership team for the firm’s Health and Life Sciences practice. Prior to DGA, he served as President of Financial, Corporate & Capital Markets Communications at Real Chemistry, and before that spent 16 years at FTI Consulting as Senior Managing Director and Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences for the Americas.
Mr. Willey brings three decades of institutional investment experience, advising healthcare company leaders on capital markets communications and financing transactions. Prior to joining ICR, he spent more than 20 years as an Analyst and Portfolio Manager at Franklin Templeton, where he evaluated hundreds of equity and equity-linked securities offerings and oversaw tens of billions of dollars in healthcare investments within institutional portfolios. He began his career on Wall Street as an equity research analyst, where he helped underwrite some of the largest IPO and preferred stock offerings of the 20th century.
“Healthcare is one of the most dynamic and demanding sectors, making senior‑level experience and judgment critical,” said Mark Klausner, Global Head of Healthcare at ICR. “John is a proven leader in healthcare strategic communications, with a track record of helping management teams own their narrative and communicate clearly and credibly at critical moments. Matt brings deep medical technology and diagnostics expertise and a buy‑side‑informed perspective to help companies position themselves effectively in the capital markets. We’re thrilled to welcome them both to the team and excited about the continued growth of our healthcare platform.”
ICR’s healthcare group was built through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions — including Westwicke Partners in 2019 and Consilium Strategic Communications in 2023 — and unified under a single global brand in 2024. ICR Healthcare advises clients spanning the primary sectors in healthcare, including healthcare services, life sciences, medical and biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and patient advocacy.
