Leslie Manukian’s Shift from Wall Street to Health Advocacy

Leslie Manukian, who previously thrived in the high-stakes environment of Wall Street, made a significant change in her life, seeking more meaningful pursuits. One pivotal moment occurred when top executives from a major pharmaceutical company visited her office.

“They were there to calm our concerns about their stock, which had plummeted—about 25% or 30%,” she recounted. “They wanted to reassure their significant investors that everything was fine with their upcoming blockbuster drug,” she explained.

However, troubling rumors were surfacing about the final trial stage of the drug, the last step before FDA approval, where it was reportedly leading to fatalities.

During a meeting, Manukian recalled the CEO addressing the issue directly, stating, “Several people have died. It’s very rare.” In a somewhat unsettling manner, he added, “The bad news is that the FDA would enforce a black box warning, but the good news is that we still believe it could make $7 billion in sales.”

Shanahan, another presenter, inquired about the purpose of the drug involved, to which Manukian simply pointed out its widespread recognition around 25 years ago. This turning point prompted her to leave her career behind, propelling her toward health advocacy.

“I founded the Health Freedom Defense Fund because, after 20 years in this field, I felt compelled to act against what started in 2020—this operation mandating vaccines and lockdowns,” she shared.

In her view, it represented a calculated response to a perceived public health crisis, leading her to create an organization aimed at combating health injustices and advocating for human rights.

“We got people to stand against wearing masks on planes, largely due to our efforts at the Health Freedom Defense Fund,” she stated, reflecting on a past legal challenge in 2022 against federal travel mask mandates.