Dr. Melva T. Covington

Dr. Melva T. Covington is a multifaceted leader at the nexus of science, business and faith. Over a leadership career spanning more than 20 years she has held senior roles in pharmaceutical R&D, medical affairs, health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and real‑world evidence generation. Covington earned a master of public health degree from the University of North Carolina, an MBA from the University of Maryland and a PhD in health policy and management from Johns Hopkins University. She served as senior director of field medical strategy for Sanofi’s diabetes and cardiovascular business, where she led global medical‑science liaison teams and oversaw evidence‑generation projects supporting blockbuster therapies. As vice president at EVERSANA she advised biotech clients on market access and patient‑centric research strategies. In 2019 Covington founded AGAPE Strategic Solutions of Maryland, a consultancy that helps life‑science companies integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into clinical development and commercialization. She co‑founded PEP!IN (People Empowering People for Inclusion Now), a think tank and accelerator aimed at increasing under‑represented participation in clinical trials and health‑tech entrepreneurship. Covington is also senior pastor of Abundant Life Bible Church in Hyattsville, Maryland, where she preaches a message of holistic well‑being and economic empowerment. She is a frequent speaker on health‑literacy, data equity and women’s leadership and mentors young scientists through programs such as Science Runway and Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE).