Preparing the Workforce for a Technology-Enabled Future
Uniting life sciences partners to extend our lead
June 3, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Boston University | George Sherman Union

Check back for regular agenda and speaker updates

Registration and Breakfast | 8-9 am

Exhibitors | 8 am – 4 pm

Morning Plenary Sessions

Welcome | 9-9:40 am

Session Description

The industry is working to rapidly integrate new technology with the incumbent workforce at the same time it plans for the potential impact of technology on future strategy and operations. Key industry leaders from the IT and People functions will set the stage for the day by sharing their insights, priorities, questions, and challenges.

Speakers

Mickey Atwal, Chief Data and AI Officer, Pioneering Intelligence, Flagship Pioneering 

Debbie Bumpus, Chief People Officer, Blueprint Medicines

Snapshot of New Massachusetts and National Workforce Data | 10:10-10:30 am

Session Description

Each year, MassBioEd partners with TEConomy to update key Massachusetts workforce data. This year, in addition to releasing new state data and insights, an early preview of a national workforce report developed by CSBI, the Coalition of State Bioscience Institutes, in partnership with TEConomy, and will be shared.

Speakers

John Brothers, Senior Director, Workforce Development Strategy, MassBioEd

Implementing Life Sciences 3.0 | 10:30-11 am

In November, our state leadership reauthorized the Commonwealth’s life sciences initiative, know as Life Science 3.0. The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is charged with creating and executing the vision for the Commonwealth’s investments and working to support the life sciences over the next decade. Hear from Kirk Taylor, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO, on the future of the Commonwealth’s life sciences ecosystem in a fireside chat with MassBioEd’s CEO, Sunny Schwartz.

Speakers

Sunny Schwartz, CEO, MassBioEd

Kirk Taylor, President and CEO, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

Networking Break | 11-11:30 am

Morning Breakout Sessions | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Microcredentials in the Life Sciences: Building an Ecosystem of Stakeholders with the Massachusetts Microcredential Coalition

Session Description

Microcredentials can revolutionize hiring and talent development in the life sciences in the Commonwealth. Over the past year the Massachusetts Microcredential Coalition (MMC) has been working towards this goal. In this interactive session, the session will begin with a panel industry leaders sharing real-world insights into the transformative role microcredentials play in their organizations. MMC subcommittees representing industry, four-year universities, and community colleges will share highlights from their recent initiatives and future goals. Facilitators Jared Auclair and Sasha Goldman will connect the panel reflections and subcommittee reports, sparking a dynamic conversation about strengthening partnerships across industry, education, and government to align skills with career opportunities.

Immediately following the session, continue the dialogue during a special networking lunch in the Metcalf Small Ballroom. Industry panelists and subcommittee members will host focused table conversations, offering participants deeper engagement and personalized insights. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, forge new connections, and collaboratively explore strategies for enhancing microcredential-driven education-to-industry pipelines across the Commonwealth.

Speakers

Jared Auclair, PhD, Dean, College of Professional Studies, Northeastern University 

Sasha B. Goldman, PhD, Director of Supplemental Academic Support and Assistant Teaching Professor, Northeastern University 

Stacey Veysey, Senior Director, Early and Emerging Talent, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Jodie Catherine Bunzey, Senior Manager Operations, Pfizer

Becky Zoccola, Executive Director, Talent Acquisition and People Experience, ElevateBio

Ted Straub, R&D Manager, Thermo Fisher

Beyond the Summer Internship: Maximizing Impact through Longer Term Student Work Experiences 

Session Description

Maximizing Impact through Longer Term Student Work Experiences will explore the benefits of extended student work experiences, such as co-ops and longer internships, beyond the traditional three-month period. This session will feature a panel sharing how these longer-term assignments have enriched their careers and skills, and the positive impact they had on their host organizations. Attendees will gain insights into structuring and supporting longer-term work experiences, with a focus on equitable student selection, effective mentoring, skill development, and successful career outcomes. Join us to discuss strategies for industry professionals and higher education institutions to foster and implement these valuable opportunities for students.

Speakers

Jennifer Hanselman, Associate Provost and Dean of Research, Clark University 

Andrea Dropkin-Mackey, Associate Director, Early Career Programs, Blueprint Medicines 

Rick Martel, Director, Downstream Manufacturing, Bristol Myers Squibb

Wentao Wang, Automation Reliability and Standards Lead, Pfizer

Erin Lopez, Student, Blueprint/UMASS Amherst Co-op

Luke Smith, Student, Biogen/Northeastern University Co-op

Isidor Jankovich, Student, Pfizer/UMass Lowell Co-op

Strengthening the High School to College Talent Pipeline

Session Description

The life sciences industry in Massachusetts thrives on a highly skilled workforce, yet sustaining and expanding this talent pipeline requires strategic investment in early STEM education and workforce training programs. This session will explore how initiatives such as Early College and Career and Technical Education, the STEM Starter Academy, and MassBioEd’s BioTeach are bridging the gap between high school, higher education, and industry, and equipping students with critical thinking skills and hands-on lab experience, thereby forging pathways to life sciences careers.  

Through an engaging discussion with education leaders, industry representatives, and policymakers/government officials, we will highlight how these initiatives are increasing STEM participation, diversifying the workforce, and accelerating talent development.  

Speakers

Katie Ruggieri, Dean of STEM, Massasoit Community College 

Michelle Mischke, Vice President of Biotechnology Education Programs, MassBioEd 

Robert LePage, Assistant Secretary for Career Education, Massachusetts Executive Office of Education

Creating Belonging and Inclusivity in Organizations in 2025 and Beyond

Session Description

This session will provide insight and considerations for how to create and implement a sense of belonging in an industrial setting. This session will also discuss inclusion since both belonging and inclusion are critical for employees and the organization. By creating an environment of belonging and inclusion, employees are more engaged and organizations are more successful. A case study of Takeda’s work in this area will be shared. Participants will then break into small group interactive discussions to discuss core questions and considerations driving this work. This session will create a safe space to share information and to develop approaches that can be taken back to work at your company or organization.

Speakers

Lauren Celano, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Propel Careers

Ross Marshall, Head of Community Engagement, Bioversity

Jimmy Zhang, Global Head of Talent Acquisition, Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Tom Browne, Founder and CEO, C to C Services, LLC

Lunch and Networking | 12:30-1:30 pm

Afternoon Plenary Session | 1:30 – 2:25 pm

Keynote Conversation: Industry Leaders Discuss Workforce Transformation in the Age of AI

Session Description

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Large Language Models are already having a profound impact on the life sciences, and they promise to transform the industry from R&D to manufacturing. Industry leaders will discuss how new technology is impacting business and strategy and the implications that it has on our current and future workforce.

Speakers

Julie Kim, President, U.S. Business Unit and U.S. Country Head, Takeda

Deborah Glasser, Head of Specialty Care, North America, and U.S. Country Lead, Sanofi

Jaana Rask, Head of People and Organization, US Division of Research and Development, Novo Nordisk

Mike Tirozzi, Senior Vice President, Chief Information and Data Officer, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

Networking Break | 2:25-2:45 pm

Afternoon Breakout Sessions | 2:45-4 pm

Building an Agile Workforce: Skilling, Upskilling and Reskilling

Session Description

Join industry experts and thought leaders as they share insights on identifying skill gaps, designing targeted training programs, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Discover innovative approaches to workforce development, including partnerships with educational institutions, online learning platforms, and industry-driven training programs. Learn how to build a more adaptable, future-ready workforce capable of addressing new challenges, embracing advanced technologies, and driving breakthroughs in life sciences. 

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the MA life sciences industry, staying competitive and innovative requires a workforce that can adapt and thrive amid constant changes. This session will explore effective strategies for equipping employees with the critical skills necessary to succeed in emerging growth sectors through skilling, upskilling, and reskilling initiatives. 

Speakers

Catherine Bouthillier, Senior Manager, Healthcare and Biomanufacturing Partnerships, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Brian Souza, Vice President, Workforce Development, MassBioEd

Marissa Budds, Director, Talent Acquisition, Cell Therapy, Bristol Myers Squibb

Industry-Educator Advising Session (Closed Session)

Session Description

The Industry-Educator Advising Session will provide an opportunity for conversations between pre-determined company teams and schools/training providers to deepen each other’s understanding of current talent needs, curriculum, and programs in the Life Sciences. Please note: The Industry-Education Advising Session is part of MassBioEd’s College to Career Program and is a closed session. To learn more about becoming part of the College to Career program, please speak with a member of the MassBioEd team.

Moderators

Ryan Mudawar, Executive Vice President, Education and Workforce Programs. Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

Melina Matroni, Marketing and Advancement Manager, Massachusetts Biomedical Initiative (MBI)