Nancy Schwalje Travis

About Nancy Schwalje Travis

Seasoned global government affairs executive with considerable experience in international trade policy and healthcare, creating lasting value for organizations and communities.• Advancing innovation at BIO: Promoted global access to biotech solutions in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental industries. Successfully opposed proposals to waive intellectual property rights for pandemic therapies at the World Trade Organization and worked with USTR on the first-ever biotech corn case under the U.S-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement.• Leadership at AdvaMed: Focused on opening markets for the medical device industry worldwide, ensuring a level playing field for U.S. companies, removing trade obstacles in China, and advancing regulatory harmonization in the Asia-Pacific. Positioned AdvaMed’s Code of Ethics as the global gold standard, demonstrating that good ethics translate into good business.• Diplomatic service at the U.S. Department of State: Specialized in international economics and trade, representing the U.S. at global summits. Created actionable policies to advance U.S. goals of open markets, free trade, and democracy. Managed teams in Washington, DC, and abroad, building consensus across varied constituencies and seeing the impact of initiatives on people\'s lives.• Media studies and experience at CNN: Learned to tell complex stories in 30 seconds, mastering clear and simple communications. Deciphered breaking financial news to create a better-informed public.• Early career in the intelligence community: Focused on attention to detail, careful analysis of facts, and their application to real-world events. Gained early management experience and developed strength in cross-cultural communications while managing teams overseas. Analyzed complex intelligence to aid policymakers in making the best decisions on national security challenges.Specialties:• Global advocacy strategy• Public policy• Executive leadership• Trade association management• International trade negotiations• Health policy• Ethics and regulatory compliance• Corporate social responsibility• Multilateral organizations• Consensus building• Languages: Chinese, French, Russian

Experience

1. Executive Director, Trade & Investment

   Novartis

   Jul 2025 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Leads the creation and execution of government affairs efforts for Novartis on U.S. trade and investment issues with key governmental stakeholders, the diplomatic corps, and leading trade groups.

Education

• Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School

  High School Diploma, College/University Preparatory and Advanced High School/Secondary Diploma Program

  1981 — 1985

• Columbia | SIPA

  Master of International Affairs, Global economics & trade, international media & communications

  1995 — 1997

• Vassar College

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, International Affairs

  1985 — 1989

Skills

• Program Management
• Research
• Crisis Communications
• Strategic Planning
• Management
• Diplomacy
• Medical Devices
• Public Policy
• International Development
• Executive Management
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Project Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Fundraising
• Proposal Writing
• Government Affairs
• International Relations
• International Trade
• Leadership
• Government Relations
• Public Speaking
• Chinese
• Strategy
• Governance
• Regulatory Affairs
• Public Affairs
• Politics
• Policy Analysis
• Project Planning
• Strategic Communications
• French
• Policy
• Economics
• Product Development
• Analysis
• Public Relations
• Business Strategy