Syneos Health Communications Promotes Global Mindset Through Employee Exchange Program

Two employees reflect on the immersive experience

Syneos Health Communications is fostering learning, collaboration and a global mindset amongst employees through its Global Exchange Program.

Launched in 2024, the six-month professional development and cultural immersion experience pairs employees from different Syneos Health Communications offices around the world and remotely embeds them in each other’s day-to-day work. At the end of the collaboration, the participants travel to each other’s offices to meet their colleagues in person.

Rob Jones and Phoebe Anstett recently took part in the program. Jones is a senior digital director based in Syneos’ London office. Anstett is an account director who is part of the company’s Chamberlain Healthcare Public Relations team in the New York office.

“After nine years with Chamberlain and Syneos Health, I felt ready to challenge myself in a new way and learn from colleagues outside of my immediate teams,” Anstett says of her decision to apply to and take part in the program. “I also was excited that I had knowledge to share, particularly the expertise I’ve amassed in influencer and digital opinion leader programming.”

Jones says, “I applied because I enjoy meeting people and learning how other teams work. One of the things I like most about my role is collaborating with people who bring different experiences and perspectives. That’s usually where the best ideas come from.”

Here, Jones and Anstett talk more about their motivations for applying to the Global Exchange Program, the projects they worked on and what it was like to visit each other’s offices in person:

MUSE: Tell us more about why you applied to the Global Exchange Program.

Phoebe Anstett: I’ve always valued Syneos’ collaborative culture and the unparalleled healthcare expertise we have across our organization. So, the Global Exchange Program felt like a natural extension of that. I wanted the opportunity to share my own expertise while also gaining new perspectives on how teams in other markets are delivering for clients strategically and creatively. I felt that by building relationships across our global network and learning from different ways of thinking, I’d come back with a new perspective that would help drive further innovation to both my own work and the value I bring to my clients and colleagues.

Rob Jones: I was already working with colleagues in the U.S. So, the program felt like a great opportunity to build those relationships further, learn from a different market and push myself a little outside my comfort zone. You never quite know where those conversations will lead, but that’s part of what makes them valuable.

What projects did you work on during the exchange?

Phoebe Anstett: A major focus of my time in our London office was showcasing the work and capabilities of our U.S. influencer team, including strategy development, influencer mapping and recommendations and navigating FDA regulations and compliance requirements. My goal was to provide valuable insights that could be adapted for U.K. teams and clients. Simultaneously, I learned how the team approaches influencer engagement within a very different regulatory environment. It was fascinating to see how similar communications objectives are achieved in different ways depending on the market.

One specific project Rob and I collaborated closely on was developing strategies for patient-focused, unbranded influencer activations to support 2027 planning. Having the opportunity to sit together in person, exchange perspectives and put pen to paper on recommendations for global clients was invaluable and truly demonstrated the value of the Exchange Program through bringing cross-market expertise together.

Rob, what was it like to work with Phoebe?

Rob Jones: Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. We clicked very quickly and found that although our backgrounds are quite different, we share a similar approach when it comes to building relationships and looking for opportunities to collaborate. The exchange gave us both the chance to experience each other’s team cultures and ways of working. Phoebe spent time with the London team learning more about some of the global programs I support, particularly around paid media, patient engagement and digital strategy. In turn, I was able to get a much better understanding of influencer marketing in the U.S. market, where it’s a much more established part of the communications landscape. What I found most valuable was exploring how ideas from one market might be adapted and applied in another.

What was it like to visit each other’s offices after working with each other and each other’s team remotely?

Phoebe Anstett: Visiting the London office was one of the highlights of my career. While we often collaborate virtually, being there in person allowed me to build stronger relationships and really immerse myself in how the team works day to day. I had the chance to meet colleagues from across different business units, sit in on meetings, learn more about their client work and continue conversations we’d been having prior to the exchange. London is one of my favorite cities in the world. I love immersing myself in their food scene, cute pubs and incredible culture—I really know my way around the city. As a huge music fan, I also lucked out with my time in London coinciding with Harry Styles’ tour and had the unforgettable experience of seeing him perform at Wembley Stadium.

Rob Jones: The visit to New York was a highlight! The Chamberlain team were incredibly welcoming. Whether it was joining a meeting with the team, sharing recommendations about the city, grabbing dinner together or joining their happy hour for drinks, everyone made me feel at home. It was also great to spend time with colleagues from other parts of the business while I was there. Alongside the exchange, I was also helping bring together a Syneos Health podcast discussion on patient engagement in clinical trials. I also got the chance to do a few things I’d always wanted to do. I enjoy running, so getting the chance to tick Central Park off the list was something I’d been looking forward to. I’ve since been given even more running route recommendations for my next visit.

What did you learn from taking part in the Global Exchange Program?

Phoebe Anstett: One of the biggest takeaways for me was that while our markets operate differently, we’re often trying to solve the same challenges and have the same common goals for our clients. Seeing how other teams approach strategy, collaboration and problem-solving has helped me think differently about my own work and allowed me to take these learnings back to my teams in the U.S. I also came away with a greater appreciation for how much we can learn from one another by sharing best practices rather than reinventing solutions independently. This program has served as a reminder to me that we are “One Syneos” despite location. Personally, the Exchange Program pushed me out of my comfort zone. This was my first experience with solo travel, and I soaked up every moment. Though I’ve been to London before, exploring alone allowed me to see the city through a different lens and perspective. I learned to appreciate every meal, every moment and every connection made during my stay. I’m so grateful to have been chosen for this opportunity.

Rob Jones: It was rewarding to challenge myself and realize that sometimes the best opportunities come from saying yes to something unfamiliar. It also reinforced how much expertise exists across Syneos Health. I’ve always said that the best thing about Syneos Health is the size of the business, and the biggest challenge is also the size of the business. There are incredibly talented people everywhere, but sometimes you don’t know they’re there until you make those connections. The Global Exchange Program helps bridge that gap and makes a large organization feel more connected.

Have you maintained the connections you formed during the program?

Rob Jones: Absolutely. Phoebe and I are still working together, and we both have follow-up visits planned later this year. So, the exchange is very much continuing, and the connections don’t stop when the trip is over.

Phoebe Anstett: In many ways, I think developing new relationships is the most valuable part of this program. I met so many talented and genuinely wonderful people in the London office, and we’ve continued to stay connected long after the exchange ended. Whether we’re sharing ideas, asking for input, or simply checking in, those relationships have become an extension of not only my professional network, but my personal network. This experience has also made Syneos feel more close-knit. Instead of viewing our offices as separate teams, I now see them as colleagues I know personally and can collaborate with. And Rob—I truly couldn’t have asked for a better partner throughout this exchange. I’m so grateful for everything we’ve learned from one another, and even more so, for the friendship we’ve built along the way. While the formal exchange may be coming to an end, I know our collaboration is just getting started, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us next.