DBT40 Honoree: Andrea Larson

Title: Associate Director, U.S. Product Strategy

Workplace: Incyte Corporation

Age: 34

Andrea Larson took on an unexpected role while studying at the University of Delaware: She became a caregiver for her mother, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The experience humbled her and, after her mother died, Larson decided to work in the health care industry so she could provide hope for families in similar situations.

Shortly after graduating Leadership Delaware in 2017, Larson joined Incyte Corp., where she worked her way up to becoming an associate director. In her current role, she led and executed an education strategy for advanced practice providers (APPs), a new customer group for the biopharmaceutical company. The set of resources, self-paced modules and patient materials Larson developed now help APPs identify and care for patients with rare hematologic diseases. Within one year, Larson’s strategy resulted in a 52% increase in new APPs starting a patient on the Incyte brand.

Larson’s leadership was especially crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. She had to ensure Incyte’s educational resources could be implemented virtually so clinicians could safely help immunocompromised patients. Larson’s strategy implementation helped her brand team reach its goals and get patients the care they needed.

On top of being an associate director, Larson is a mother, a volunteer and a suspension training teacher. She volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and during the pandemic, she helped provide education, testing and vaccination events at Prices Corner Pharmacy in Wilmington.

Most recently, she acquired a Delaware boating license while on maternity leave. In memory of her mother, Larson helps organize the Breast Cancer Awareness Run every year to raise research funds for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.