# Susan Flinn Cobian

> Susan Flinn Cobian is the Chicago-area founder, president and CEO of SFC Group, an independent healthcare marketing agency she launched in 2018. Across nearly four decades in advertising, she has built agency offices from zero, revived struggling operations, founded specialist healthcare practices and developed a direct, high-expectation management style centered on independent thinking, loyalty and client service.

- **Role:** Founder, President and CEO at SFC Group
- **Organizations:** SFC Group, HYC Health, Lyonheart Communications, Interlink Healthcare Communications, Robert A. Becker, Abelson-Taylor, Goble & Associates, Topin & Associates, Flaum Communications, Healthcare Businesswomen's Association, She Runs It, Bright Pink
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BA, History, Kenyon College
- **Known for:** Built Robert A. Becker's Chicago office from zero clients to 35 employees and approximately $15 million in annual revenue in under three years., Increased Lyonheart Communications' annual revenue by 22% and cut attrition by more than half while leading its restructuring and rebrand., Doubled HYC Health revenue in 2016, added five clients, expanded staff by 200% and oversaw more than 40 creative awards.

## Career timeline

- **1980s** — Entered pharmaceutical advertising as an executive assistant at Kallir, Phillips, Ross and advanced through account roles.
- **2002** — Opened Robert A. Becker's Chicago office with no clients and grew it to 35 employees and about $15 million in annual revenue in under three years.
- **2000s** — As president of Lyonheart Communications, restructured and rebranded the 250-person agency, won five clients in six months and increased annual revenue by 22%.
- **2013** — Began building the healthcare practice that became HYC Health within Chicago consumer agency HY Connect.
- **2016** — HYC Health doubled revenue, added five clients, grew staff by 200%, launched four brands and won more than 40 creative awards.
- **2018** — Founded SFC Group as a woman-owned, independent healthcare marketing agency.
- **2024** — Led SFC Group's acquisition of CareContent, expanding the agency's healthcare content capabilities.
- **2025** — Named an MM+M Pinnacle Award honoree.

## Achievements

- Built Robert A. Becker's Chicago office from zero clients to 35 employees and approximately $15 million in annual revenue in under three years.
- Increased Lyonheart Communications' annual revenue by 22% and cut attrition by more than half while leading its restructuring and rebrand.
- Doubled HYC Health revenue in 2016, added five clients, expanded staff by 200% and oversaw more than 40 creative awards.
- Founded SFC Group in 2018 and led its 2024 acquisition of CareContent.
- Named a 2025 MM+M Pinnacle Award honoree.
- Recognized in the PharmaVOICE 100 in 2016 and 2018.
- Named a PM360 ELITE Entrepreneur in 2016 and Transformational Leader in 2017.
- Named a Chicago Business Journal Woman of Influence and an MM+M Hall of Femme honoree in 2017.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — SFC Group's work for ImmunityBio's Anktiva was named a 2026 PM360 Trailblazer Award finalist in the Professional Campaign category.
- **2025-05** — Cobian was celebrated in New York as an MM+M 2025 Pinnacle Award honoree.
- **2024-03** — SFC Group acquired CareContent, a woman-owned Chicago healthcare content company.

## Links

- Website: https://www.sfcgroup1.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanflinn
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/FlinnCobian

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/susan-cobian
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22