Member Spotlight: WWPR President Christina Francisco, Digital Marketing and Strategy, ASHP

WWPR Content Committee Co-chair Melinda Tolliver connected with WWPR President Christina Francisco, director of digital marketing and strategy at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Learn more about her role and how she got involved with WWPR.

Tell me a little about your background and current day job.

I serve as the Director of Digital Marketing and Strategy at ASHP located in Bethesda, MD. Prior to ASHP, I led the digital marketing team at the American Diabetes Association in Arlington, VA as their Director of Digital Marketing. I’ve always loved working on internal teams and helping an organization grow. Digital marketing is always evolving and it is really up to you to keep yourself current on the trends, as well as what will work for your company and what is the best mix of channels to achieve a goal.

In addition to my day job, I also serve as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown School of Continuing Studies (SCS) as a capstone advisor for the Integrated Marketing Communications Program and as an adjunct lecturer in the . 

As WWPR President, can you share your experience with WWPR?

As I mentioned in my , I really credit finding WWPR to my colleague and good friend, Danielle Veira. Dani served as the 2018 WWPR President and basically brought me along for the ride. She introduced me to this world and all it had to offer. I really can’t thank her enough for showing me this community. Prior to 2020, I loved going to in-person events and seeing different venues, as well as meeting new people around the city. It was a great way to expand my network and tour all DC has to offer.

Becoming president this year is very exciting. We are coming off a tremendous year where we were able to pivot and move programming to a virtual environment without skipping a beat. I am proud of what we accomplished and look forward to what 2021 has in store for us. 

Outside of your work, what hobbies or activities really excite you?

Right now, I’ve been really into yoga. I finally convinced my husband to try it with me and we’ve been going fairly regularly. It is pretty great when you find something that can challenge and relax you at the same time. It is also a goal of ours to stay active during the pandemic and keep ourselves busy with safely socially distanced activities. 

How has the pandemic affected the way you approach your personal and professional life? 

In a way the pandemic hasn’t really changed how I approach my life, but it has given me a better sense of what I can overcome and reminds me to be grateful for what I have in my life.

Though at first, it disrupted my routine and I felt a lot of anxiety, the pandemic has helped me slow down and be more thoughtful with my time. I am also thankful that I have been able to work this whole time as I know that hasn’t been the case for everyone. 

In fact, I started teaching at Georgetown SCS at the onset of the pandemic and my first class was a virtual one on March 19. It was intended to be an in-person class, but Georgetown quickly pivoted when it became apparent we needed to adjust. Teaching — virtually no less — in a pandemic definitely taught me to be flexible and give myself grace. 

See more featuring the amazing and driven women of WWPR!