VP, Engagement Real-World Data
With two decades of experience in healthcare analytics, Ilan Behm serves as a key leader driving client success at Norstella through real-world data innovation. We recently spoke with him about how he made his way to Norstella, what he enjoys most about the company and what he likes to do outside of his Denver-based office.
Tell us a little more about your role.
My role is all about making sure the work we deliver from a real-world data (RWD) perspective not only meets expectations, but leaves a strong, lasting impression. I want clients to walk away thinking, “That was great—let’s work with Norstella again.” Whether it’s renewing, expanding, or bringing us along to a new company, the goal is to make ourselves indispensable.
How did you join the company? And what in your background brought you to pharma?
I’ve been in healthcare analytics for almost 20 years now. I kind of stumbled into pharma—about 12 or 14 years ago I joined a small life sciences consulting firm that used claims data to support payer strategy. That’s where I learned SQL and really got my hands dirty. I traveled a lot, talked to pharma clients, learned how to interpret the data—and never looked back.
What does your day-to-day typically look like?
Busy—and unpredictable. I usually start with a plan, but once I check my inbox, it’s like… pivot! Some days start as early for company-wide meetings, especially in Mountain Time. It’s a mix of internal and client calls. I help kick off projects, introduce clients to the delivery team, and work closely with sales to make sure what’s being scoped is actually deliverable. Some days I’m creating PowerPoint decks, other days I’m knee-deep in SQL. It really depends, which keeps it interesting.
What are some of the larger projects you’re working on right now?
We just launched a big one with a large top 10 pharma that I’m super excited about. We’re working with their clinical trial team using both RWD and TrialTrove data to help them identify principal investigators and eligible patients for trials. It’s exactly the kind of integrated, high-impact work we want to be doing.
What are some of the common challenges of your role?
Managing client expectations is huge—making sure we’re delivering real value while staying within scope. We have so many ways to help, it can be tempting to try to do too much. Another challenge is just how cross-functional my role is. I’m constantly syncing with commercial, data science, procurement, strategy, outside vendors—it’s a lot of cooks in the kitchen, but it’s also where the magic happens.
What has been your career highlight to date?
Hosting a session at a medical affairs conference with a large top 10 Pharma in Puerto Rico was a standout moment for me. We talked about how medical affairs can use RWD to drive business decisions—something that’s more common on the commercial side. That session felt like a lightbulb moment for a lot of folks in the room.
What trends are you seeing across the industry that Norstella is uniquely positioned to help with?
Integrated data is the name of the game. Clients are asking more and more, “Can you connect your data to ours?” And with Norstella’s suite, we don’t just connect data—we already have the labs, claims, electronic medical records, structured, and unstructured data all in one place. That’s a huge differentiator. We save clients months of time and a lot of money compared to working with multiple vendors. And because it’s all under one roof, the data quality is better too.
What advice would you give someone just starting their career at Norstella?
Be thoughtful and intentional—especially with anything you’re sending to a client. A rushed answer that’s off the mark won’t go as far as taking the extra day to get it right. We’re helping shape how people perceive Norstella. That reputation starts with each interaction, each slide deck, each email. Make sure it’s something you’re proud of.
Where do you see Norstella in the next couple of years?
As the leader in RWD, no question. We’re already ahead in terms of partnerships and access. Some vendors are still catching up to what we’re doing now. And we’re just getting started—if you look at the deals we closed in Q1, it’s clear the momentum is building. Now it’s about delivering on that, which is the exciting part.
What do you like most about working at Norstella?
I love the commercial-first mindset. It means we’re agile, innovative, and willing to take more risks. If something isn’t working, we pivot. If a new opportunity pops up, we’re all in. I didn’t realize how much I’d value that until I saw it in action here.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Tennis and travel are my go-tos. And with Colorado’s amazing outdoor scene, we’re always hiking or exploring. That’s why we moved here—Boston winters are no joke! With two kids, it’s great to have space and sunshine.
We’re looking for agile, growth-oriented team players who are passionate about client success and helping clients bring life-saving therapies to market quicker—and help patients in need.
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