Chief Influencer®

Patient-centered advocacy is often discussed as a principle, but far less often practiced as a discipline. In this episode of Chief Influencer, Anthony Shop speaks with Dr. Eric Racine about what it truly means to put patients at the center—and why influence in healthcare depends on trust, alignment, and proximity to lived experience. Eric shares how personal loss early in his life shaped his belief that innovation only becomes progress when patients can access it, and how his early career as a clinical pharmacist revealed the real human needs preventing access to those innovations.

Now U.S. Head of Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy at Sanofi, Eric reflects on how his definition of influence has evolved—from performance and expertise to presence, listening, and partnership. He explains why patient advocates are among the most effective leaders he has ever learned from, why clarity on the problem matters more than debating solutions, and why the future of influence belongs to those who can align people and systems without losing humanity—especially in an AI-accelerated world.

Takeaways:
  • Influence is a system, not a function. Lasting impact comes from trust, credibility, and alignment—not titles or volume.
  • Patient access is personal. Eric shares how the loss of two siblings to a rare disease shaped his belief that innovation only matters if it reaches patients.
  • The human factor matters most. A formative lesson from Eric’s time in Detroit showed that even the best clinical solutions fail if basic human needs are overlooked.
  • The people closest to the problem see most clearly. Patient advocates bring unmatched clarity, urgency, and credibility—and are among the most effective influencers in healthcare.
  • From performance to presence. Great leaders don’t need all the answers; they need to be present, listen deeply, and align others around the right problem.
  • Alignment beats authority. Progress happens when leaders align on the problem, define shared outcomes, and create space for collaboration.
  • True patient centricity is a discipline. It requires engaging patients and advocates early—co-defining problems, not reacting to finished solutions.
  • AI elevates judgment, not humanity. Eric believes the future belongs to leaders who pair technology with emotional intelligence, trust, and authentic influence.

Quote of the Show:
  • “Influence today is about … clarity. It's about trust. It's about helping people that you work with [see] the real problem.”

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Creators and Guests

Host
Anthony Shop
Anthony Shop believes in the power of people-centered branding and marketing to create a bright future. He chairs the National Digital Roundtable, the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers. Anthony also is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, a digital services firm that helps companies and non-profits establish winning strategies with social media, websites, creative, and advertising. An enthusiastic presenter and teacher, he has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, Anthony was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the boards of Leadership Greater Washington and LearnServe International. He earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, where he teaches as an adjunct lecturer.
Producer
Amanda Goyette
Guest
Eric Racine
US Head, Public Affairs & Patient Advocacy at Sanofi
Producer
Robert Krueger
Robert is an Executive Director for The Communications Board, an organization with the mission of providing high-quality professional development for every communicator in every location. He is also the Global Lead for Partnership Communications at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. Prior to his current role, he performed executive and CEO communications for Gensler, and was the senior director of public relations and social media at the Urban Land Institute. He obtained an MA in Communications and an MA in History from George Mason University. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Robert has taught communications at universities including George Mason University, West Virginia University, and the University of Florida. Robert currently serves as Immediate-Past President for the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) -- the nonprofit’s largest chapter.

What is Chief Influencer®?

Washington is the Center of Influence - in the U.S. and arguably the world. Chief Influencer® spotlights leaders who have figured out how to break through in today’s fragmented and noisy world. Social Driver teamed up with The George Washington University College of Professional Studies and The Communications Board to recognize these leaders as Chief Influencers and highlight how they inspire and influence others.