Dr. Benson leads policy and strategic partnerships for Merck Global Vaccines, collaborating with global public health leaders and key stakeholders to ensure sustainable access to the company’s diverse vaccine portfolio including HPV, pneumococcal, RSV, Ebola and pipeline vaccines. She has extensive experience working with country governments and major global health organizations such as WHO, Gavi, UNICEF and the Gates Foundation. She served as industry representative on the Gavi Board. Joan is deeply committed to advancing global public health agendas, including the elimination of cervical cancer.