Jared Auclair serves as the Dean of the College of Professional Studies. Appointed in December 2024, Jared leads all academic and administrative functions of the college.

With more than a decade of experience at Northeastern, starting first as a post-doc and most recently, Vice Provost Research Economic Development and Director of Bioinnovation, Jared is a champion of innovation and collaboration and deeply values the promise that the College of Professional Studies brings to students as one of Northeastern’s most diverse and dynamic colleges committed to meet students where they are.

Prior to his role as Vice Provost Research Economic Development, Jared served as the Associate Dean of Professional Programs and Graduate Affairs in the College of Science, and still holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. His past experience with the College of Professional Studies includes leadership on a variety of economic and workforce development and research programs, including PlusOne, a dynamic program that gives students the opportunity to accelerate their education by earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years.

With an extensive leadership background, Jared’s passion for progress drives essential strategic initiatives for the College of Professional Studies. His focus on strengthening the connections between education, research, and community, along with fostering a global mindset is core to the College of Professional Studies’ commitment to delivering a world-class experiential education tailored to students’ needs.

Prior to joining Northeastern, Jared held a variety of research and consulting roles for leading biopharmaceutical firms. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a PhD in Biomedical Science from the University of Massachusetts Medical.

John Brothers is the Senior Director, Workforce Development Strategy at MassBioEd. John joined MassBioEd in 2021. John works closely with stakeholders across the Massachusetts Life Sciences Industry, academic institutions, and workforce development partners to develop and implement strategies that result in an expanded pipeline with more diverse talent entering the sector. Before joining MassBioEd in 2021, he served as Executive Director of Training, Inc. and the International Learning Center, programs of the YMCA of Greater Boston, where he built partnerships and employer relationships to support job training and adult education. Previously, he was the Executive Director of Quincy Asian Resources for 12 years, serving the growing immigrant community south of Boston through college and career readiness and mentoring programs, adult English education and workforce programs, and community partnerships. John holds a B. A. in International Affairs from American University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. 

Lauren Celano is the co-founder and CEO of Propel Careers, a life science search and career development firm and is also the co-founder of the Propelling Careers podcast.  She has recruited for more than 60 innovative life sciences organizations and has coached thousands of students, postdocs, medical residents and professionals to advance their careers since co-founding Propel in 2009. Lauren presents often on career development topics to inspire the next generation of talent. Before Propel, she spent about 10 years in life sciences advancing drug molecules through SNBL USA, Aptuit, Quintiles, and Absorption Systems. She has a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Gettysburg College and an MBA (focused in the health sector and entrepreneurship) from Boston University.  She serves / has served on Boards including: the National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association (Current Vice President, member since 2020); MassBioEd (Chair 2023-2025, Vice Chair 2020-2022; Member 2014-2025) and MassBio (member, 2023-2025) and Advisory Boards such as New England Graduate Women in Science. 

Peter Clark, PhD, is the Global Head of Digital Chemistry and Design at Novo Nordisk and is a pharmaceutical executive with over twenty years of experience leading diverse digital and wet-lab teams across the healthcare & life science industry. Currently he leads the Computational Drug Design team at Novo Nordisk, with a focus on the development and application of advanced AI models and computational tools to accelerate the discovery of differentiated therapeutics across all therapeutic modalities. Peter holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering and completed his clinical training in molecular genetics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Mike Convicer leads university talent strategy and early‑career programs at Biogen, overseeing global pipelines from community college through PhD and MBA talent across R&D, Commercial, and Corporate Functions. He designs and scales inclusive hiring models that deliver over 100 early‑career hires annually, including founding the Biogen Pathways Internship Program -an embedded community college pipeline – and driving record student‑to‑full‑time conversion. Previously, Mike held senior campus talent and program leadership roles at Bank of America and began his career in higher education admissions at Boston University. He holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from Boston University and partners closely with academia and industry to strengthen life sciences talent ecosystems.

Chris R. Darrell, Vice President for Product Development and Supply Business Insights & Technology, Bristol Myers Squibb

Chris Darrell is currently Vice President for Product Development and Supply (PDS) Business Insights & Technology.   He is responsible to digitally and AI enable the development, manufacture, and supply of high-quality life-saving medicines for BMS.  

Chris has 25+ years of experience in IT, pharmaceutical manufacturing and leadership.  He has led large teams and transformations and delivered high impact and high complexity problem resolution and projects on a global scale.  Prior to BMS he worked for Eli Lilly for ~20 years. He has non-profit board experience and served 10 years in the Army National Guard as a Field Artillery officer. 

Chris earned an MBA from Butler University, a Master of Systems Analysis from Miami University, and a BA in Mathematics from Kentucky State University. 

Chris is married to Roxanne and they have one daughter, Nicole.  He’s an NFL fan and avidly follows the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders.  When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with family, reading, watching movies and working out. 

Andrea Dropkin-Mackey is the Director of Talent Acquisition Programs at Blueprint Medicines, a Sanofi Company in Cambridge, MA, where she leads the US Extended Workforce Hiring and Early Career Programs, including internships, co-ops, fellowships, and apprenticeships. With over 10 years of experience in Talent Acquisition and 6 years as a Co-op Coordinator at Northeastern University, Andrea is dedicated to creating meaningful student experiences and opening career pathways in STEM. She also serves as a co-lead for the MassBioEd Early Talent Recruitment Coalition. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration from Bentley University. 

Uzochi Erlingsson, M.D., is a distinguished scientist and NIH grant recipient with a robust background in clinical and research medicine, specializing in Biochemical Genetics (Inborn Errors of Metabolism). Transitioning from her successful medical career, Uzochi is also an accomplished executive, investor, and business analyst, making a significant impact in the healthcare and wellness sector, as well as the private equity industry.

As the Founding Partner of Haegrun Holdings, she has strategically invested in, driven the rapid growth and acquisition of several noteworthy companies, including: Follain (acquired by Credo in 2022), Champy Brands (acquired by Champy), Precision Health Technologies (acquired by Fhios Health Inc in 2024)

From 2020 to the present, Uzochi co-founded LEAS Lab, a transformative non-profit spun out of Harvard Medical School and acquired by LabCentral,; dedicated to delivering advanced laboratory training and introducing biotechnology to undergraduate students to tackle workforce development challenges in the biotech industry, ensuring a skilled future workforce.

Joshua Finkelstein is the executive director of the Boston University Biological Design Center, where he is responsible for the strategic, communications, and operational aspects of the center’s activities, both facilitating the center’s growth and promoting its science on the global platform. Additional responsibilities include oversight and administration of the nation’s first-and-only NIH T32 Ph.D. Training Program in Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology and STEM Pathways, a program that aims to establish a STEM pipeline by exposing high school students to synthetic biology and biotechnology via educational and networking events, coursework and lab skills training, hackathons, workshops, and summer research in our laboratories. He received his B.Sc. in Chemistry He received his B.Sc. in Chemistry from McGill University in 1998, his Ph.D. in Chemistry & Chemical Biology from Harvard University in 2004, and an M.P.H. with a focus on International Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in 2007. He was a senior editor and team leader at the scientific journal Nature from 2004–2016, where his areas of responsibility included chemistry, chemical biology, single-molecule biophysics, protein engineering and design, metabolic engineering, membrane transport (including ion channels and transporters), and G-protein coupled receptors. Before coming to Boston University, he was the deputy director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, where he worked closely with Dr. Michael Levin and other center faculty to develop and implement the Allen Center’s strategic plan and long-term goals. In addition, he oversaw the day-to-day research and technology development operations of the center and was responsible for scientific communications, grant writing, IT and knowledge infrastructure, intellectual property, and business development efforts.

Katy Gall serves as the Director of Workforce Grantmaking for the City of Boston’s Office of Workforce Development. In this role, she oversees a diverse portfolio of grants—spanning subsidized youth employment, ESOL, college access, and job training—all designed to help Boston residents secure quality jobs in growing industries. Katy is committed to creating equitable pathways to economic mobility through strategic investment and community partnership. She holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MPA from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Sasha B. Goldman, PhD, is Director for the Center for the Future of Higher Education and Work, Director of Supplemental Academic Services, and an Assistant Teaching Professor at Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies, where she oversees research on experiential learning and alternative credentials, and leads learning that happens outside the classroom including tutoring and writing support. Prior to Northeastern, Sasha worked at Boston University where she oversaw career and professional development for doctoral students. Relatedly, she is the co-editor of the forthcoming volume from The University of Michigan Press entitled The PhD in Progress, focused on reimagining doctoral training. She earned a PhD from Boston University, an MA from Temple University and a BA from Connecticut College, all in Art History.  

Yvonne Hao, Chief Operating Officer and General Partner, Flagship Pioneering

Yvonne Hao joined Flagship Pioneering in 2025 as Chief Operating Officer and General Partner. In this role she leads key functional pillars that support Flagship and its ecosystem of companies, including HR and Talent, Legal and IP, IT/Digital, Communications, Government and Regulatory Affairs, and Facilities/Real Estate. Yvonne also contributes to strategic initiatives and serves on Flagship’s Resource Allocation Committee. In addition, she works alongside Flagship’s Growth Partners to help steward the firm’s later-stage companies, drawing on her experience in company building, operating, and investing.

Yvonne was most recently the Secretary of the Executive Office of Economic Development for the State of Massachusetts. Prior to her role in public service, Yvonne has had more than 25 years of experience as a senior executive, including as Co-founder, Managing Director and Advisor at investment firm Cove Hill Partners and as an Operating Partner at Pillar Ventures. Previously, she was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of PillPack, where she led the company’s sale to Amazon in 2018. She is also a former Operating Partner at Bain Capital, where she held interim CEO and COO roles, served on boards, and worked closely with portfolio companies. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles at Honeywell and McKinsey & Company.

Yvonne has been a Board Director of companies such as CarGurus, Flywire, Gentherm, ZipRecruiter, and Bose. She also has been involved in the community, and was the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Beth Israel Lahey Health, and is a Trustee Emeriti of her alma mater, Williams College.

Yvonne earned a B.A. in economics and Asian studies from Williams College and an M.Phil. in Development/Economics from the University of Cambridge.

Ryan Helwig is the Principal & Senior Director at TEConomy Partners, LLC. He is an accomplished economist and consulting professional with more than 25 years of experience spanning the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Economic Policy Institute, and Battelle’s Technology Partnership Practice prior to co-founding TEConomy Partners, LLC.  

Ryan’s diverse knowledge base and research skills have led to conducting numerous signature projects in regional industry cluster strategy, economic impact analysis, competitive benchmarking assessments and workforce strategy development for a range of clients, including the Maryland Life Science Advisory Board, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the Oregon Workforce Investment Board, BIO, PhRMA, Science Foundation Arizona, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the State of Washington, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. His work has included a particular focus on advanced industry workforce and STEM education issues. 

Ryan has an M.A. in Economics from The George Washington University and a B.S. in Business and Economics from Miami University. 

Nellie Hogler is the Global University Relations Lead at Takeda, where she manages the summer internship and co-op program. Over her six years there, she has also led several Leadership Development Programs focused on developing commercial and analytics leaders. Prior to Takeda, Nellie served as an MBA Campus Recruiter at Wayfair and as a University Relations Program Manager at State Street.

Outside of work, Nellie enjoys traveling, gardening, hiking, and spending time with her husband and young daughter.

Sarah Hokanson is Associate Provost for Academic Initiatives & Operational Excellence at Boston University, overseeing the Center for Career Development, Student Wellbeing, the Newbury Center for First-Generation Students, BU Libraries, Academic Program Review, and strategic communications in the Office of the Provost.

Dr. Hokanson has more than a decade of experience as an academic administrator at Boston University in roles within the Office of Research and Graduate Affairs, as well as in leading federally funded national projects that offered professional development programs for thousands of postdoctoral scholars (Postdoc Academy) and faculty (Inclusive STEM Teaching Project). Prior to her work at Boston University, Dr. Hokanson was the US Deputy Director of Science and Innovation for the British Consulate-General Boston.

Sarah earned her BA in Chemistry from Boston University (CAS ’05) and her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Following her graduate training, she was a Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University in Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

Ashley Jefferson is the Director, HR Business Partner at Beam Therapeutics, where he partners with leaders to drive talent strategy, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and build a strong, diverse, and future-ready workforce. With more than seventeen years of experience in human resources, Ashley supports key business functions by aligning people strategies with business priorities, leads Beam’s early talent programs including intern and co-op initiatives, and plays a key role in advancing the company’s inclusion, diversity, and belonging efforts. His work spans organizational culture, leadership partnership, early career development, and programs that broaden access to careers in the life sciences.

Before joining Beam, Ashley worked at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, where he managed early talent programs and partnered with diversity-focused organizations to expand engagement with underrepresented communities. Earlier in his career, he worked in agency recruiting, building talent pipelines and advising clients on hiring strategies. Across his career, he has championed equitable access to scientific and corporate career pathways, serving as a connector between industry, academia, and community-based workforce initiatives.

Ashley holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science from Boston College and is committed to mentoring emerging professionals and advancing initiatives that strengthen representation and belonging across the biotechnology ecosystem.

Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones brings over two decades of experience working in local and state government, non-profits, and the private sector, with a particular focus on workforce development. Prior to joining the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Jones served as Executive Vice President of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and led the organization’s workforce development policy and strategy. She previously led the Massachusetts market for the non-profit Apprenti, where she worked with companies to cultivate and diversify tech talent through registered apprenticeships. She also created and led the Business Strategy Unit for Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s Office of Economic Development, supporting business attraction and employer engagement in the city of Boston. Prior to that, she held several roles in the Patrick-Murray Administration, including Communications Director for the Executive Office of Labor & Workforce Development, Policy & Communications Director for former Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, and Senior Program Manager of the Economic Development Incentive Program in the Office of Business Development.  

As Executive Vice President of the Roundtable, Jones was the Co-Chair of the Workforce Solutions Group and served on the Board for the Massachusetts Workforce Association, the Executive Committee for the Alliance for Vocational Technical Education, the Board of Advisors for the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, the Boston Private Industry Council, and previously served on the Future of Work Commission. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Northeastern University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Providence College. She lives in Boston. 

Ali Joyce serves as Program Manager for Early and Emerging Talent Strategy at Ultragenyx, where she is passionate about building strong early career talent pipelines through meaningful internship, co-op, and fellowship programs. She works closely with leaders across the organization to create innovative university and STEM partnerships that expand access for diverse talent in biotech. Prior to joining Ultragenyx, Ali spent over a decade working in higher education, most recently at Northeastern University.

Faisal M. Khan, Ph.D. is the Corporate Vice President for Artificial Intelligence and Analytics at Novo Nordisk. His team focuses on the applications of AI and data science throughout the drug discovery and development lifecycle. His interests focus on the intersections of data science, digital health, biostatistics, bioimaging, personalized medicine, and healthcare delivery. His career has encompassed all aspects of healthcare and biomedical analytics, including diagnostics, devices, clinical trials/therapeutics, and payers/insurance. Dr. Khan has worked or consulted across academia and industry with both startups and Fortune-50 companies. He has over 100 published papers, abstracts, and patents on the applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence for healthcare and the life sciences.

Stéphane Lamour is a Process Technician at Pfizer. Prior to becoming a part of the apprenticeship program with MassBioEd, Stéphane worked at a home care and staffing agency called CareDemands. He partnered with stakeholders and healthcare facilities to provide care in home to patients as well as at nursing homes. After doing this work for some time, he realized he wanted something different. He always wanted to participate in conducting scientific research or contributing to it in some way, and the biotech industry was always attractive to him. He had previous laboratory working experience in academia, however, it was difficult for him to find work in industry. So, when he came across the MassBioEd Apprenticeship Program, at the outset, he recognized it as a golden opportunity. He applied and was fortunate enough to get accepted into the program with the sponsorship of Pfizer. So far, his experiences at Pfizer have been dynamic. He is learning a great deal in real time and in various aspects of the workplace. He is also profoundly grateful for the incredible work the MassBioEd program has done in training him and preparing him to integrate into the workforce of the Life Sciences and biomanufacturing industry.  

Dr. Mary Ellen Lane is the Dean of the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School and a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology. She has dedicated her career to advancing graduate education and research training, and promoting student success in the biological and biomedical sciences.

Dr. Lane earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Columbia University. She went on to complete postdoctoral fellowships at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society in Germany and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at MIT, where she was a Burroughs Wellcome Fellow of the Life Science Research Foundation. Over the course of her research career, she has studied cell behaviors that regulate patterning, tissue growth, and cell specification in Drosophila and Danio genetic model systems. Her work spans classical genetic screening, molecular genetic and experimental manipulation, and high-resolution imaging.

Before moving into academic administration, Dr. Lane was a faculty member at Rice University, where she directed courses in developmental biology. She has mentored three doctoral students and one postdoctoral fellow, all of whom have pursued successful careers in academia, government research, and industry, with one now serving as a graduate Dean. She was the recipient of multiple research grants from NIH, NSF, and the March of Dimes.

In 2009, Dr. Lane shifted to full-time academic leadership, starting as Assistant Dean at the MD Anderson UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Houston, Texas. There, she initiated operational changes to admissions processes and worked closely with faculty on enrollment management. In 2011, she joined UMass Chan Medical School, where she became the inaugural Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. In this role, she spearheaded the redesign of the graduate curriculum, focusing on essential research skills, competency-based assessment, and personalized academic support.

Dr. Lane was appointed Dean in 2018 following a national search. Since then, she has led the school through significant challenges, including the pandemic when she also took on the role of Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. As Dean, Dr. Lane has overseen various initiatives, including efforts to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen recruitment, and promote equity-minded practices. She has encouraged faculty leadership in curriculum design and has contributed to the school’s strategic direction. Her efforts have contributed to increased student retention. Her leadership extends to national platforms, serving on the AAMC Graduate Research Education and Training (GREAT) Steering Committee and advising on broader efforts to shape the future of graduate education nationwide. In 2025, she was elected co-Chair of the GREAT Steering Committee and chair of the GREAT Graduate Training Section.

Dr. Lane’s contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Contribution to Graduate Education and the inaugural Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Chair in Biomedical Sciences at UMass Chan. She remains committed to mentoring the next generation of scholars and to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment within graduate education.

Robert LePage serves as Assistant Secretary of Career Education in the Executive Office of Education (EOE). In his role he is primarily focused post-secondary and higher education career educational program strategies to meet the talent and workforce needs of employers in the Commonwealth. He supports EOE’s Workforce Skills Cabinet initiatives in collaboration with Labor and Workforce Development and Housing and Economic Development and serves as an Ex Officio Member of the Massachusetts Workforce Development Board.   Mr. LePage holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts and a dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Marketing, and Finance & Insurance from Northeastern University. 

Entrepreneur, operator, and professional “figure-out-what-actually-matters” person, Ross Marshall works at the intersection of AI, operations, and startups—where messy data meets tough decisions and (ideally) clearer outcomes.

Ross is especially drawn to where everything is ambiguous, slightly chaotic, and full of opportunity. His work spans startup execution, AI-enabled decision tools, and product development, always grounded in a simple question: “What should we actually do next?”

His perspective is shaped by a diverse path. He has contributed to over 70 film and television productions, including Dreamgirls and Scrubs, experiences that sharpened his ability to operate in fast-moving, high-pressure environments where collaboration and clarity matter. He alsoserved on the Governor’s 2024 AI Strategic Task Force, helping shape Governor Healey’s $100 million Economic Development Bill to create Applied AI Hub in Massachusetts

Among his most rewarding startup experiences was his work with BioversityMA, where mission-driven innovation and real-world impact came together in a meaningful way.

Originally from the Philadelphia area and a proud “adapted Bostonian,” Ross has worked across Philly, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. Boston, however, stands out…not just for the work, but for the people. It’s been a place to connect with purpose-driven individuals committed to making real change. That shared energy continues to fuel his approach to innovation—and it’s what makes the work worth doing.

Zenobia Moochhala is an entrepreneurial leader with deep experience co-founding and scaling global, mission-driven consumer services. As Co-Founder of Care.com, she was part of the executive leadership team that grew the platform into the world’s largest online marketplace for families and caregivers. Under her leadership, Care.com expanded to over 21 million members and completed a successful IPO in 2014. She led global marketing and growth strategy, overseeing consumer acquisition, engagement, and product marketing across both B2C and B2B segments. In addition, she served as General Manager with full P&L responsibility for the International and HomePay business units, driving revenue and operational performance. 

Most recently, Zenobia was Group Vice President of Marketing at Bright Horizons, a leader in education and are benefits. She led a 160-person team across brand, creative, performance, lifecycle, and client marketing—driving growth across 550+ childcare centers and 1,200+ corporate clients. Prior to that, she was CEO of Sittercity, a Bright Horizons company, where she revitalized the business post-acquisition, launched new services, and strengthened marketplace dynamics to better connect families and caregivers. Over the course of her career, Zenobia has held roles in consumer growth and product innovation at Upromise,helping families prepare and save for college. She also led marketing and operations as COO at Embark Veterinary, a leading canine genetics company.  

Recognized as one of Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”, a Pinnacle Award Emerging Executive by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and a recipient of the Asper Alumni Entrepreneurship Award from Brandeis University and the India New England Business & Entrepreneurship Award, Zenobia holds an M.A. in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University and a B.A. in Economics and Statistics from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.

An active supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship, Zenobia has served on the board of TiE Boston and enjoys mentoring founders. Outside of work, she loves traveling, biking, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her family. 

Rob Moore, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Florida and Director of the IDEATE Research Lab in the Institute for Advanced Learning Technologies. His research examines the design and implementation of semi-formal learning environments as digital ecologies, with a focus on digital microcredentials and MOOCs as transformative pathways connecting education and the workforce. His work uses data-informed and design-oriented approaches to examine how technology integration shapes learner experiences and the effectiveness of these pathways. His microcredential research has been funded by the Spencer Foundation and the National Science Foundation. He earned his PhD in Instructional Technology from North Carolina State University.

Alysia Ordway is the Undersecretary for Workforce Development at the MA Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, where she leads Commonwealth priorities on behalf of the Secretary to strengthen workforce systems, create career pathways, and align programs with the Commonwealth’s economic priorities. She facilitates these priorities through the MassHire system and state workforce board, Commonwealth Corporation, the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, and other cross-Secretariat collaborations.  

Alysia brings over 25 years of cross-sector experience focused on expanding equitable access to education and employment. Prior to her current role with the administration, Alysia was a Senior Consultant at Public Consulting Group, where she led system redesigns and supported ARPA-funded initiatives. She also served as Director of Strategic Partnerships at XR Terra, a startup to train designers and developers to create augmented and virtual reality experiences. Her career in workforce development and education was shaped through many roles at the Boston Private Industry Council from frontline service delivery to board and committee staffing to employer strategy. A life-long Massachusetts resident, Alysia is a graduate of the UMass Amherst Social Thought & Pollical Economy Program and earned an MAT from Simmon’s University, which launched a brief but formative experience as a middle school ELA teacher and team leader.

A veteran of large biotech and pharma, Kevin Otipoby is Chief Research Officer at Seismic Therapeutic, where he helped establish and execute the company’s scientific strategy. A drug-hunting immunologist with over two decades of experience spanning large- and small-molecule discovery, Kevin previously served as Vice President at Pandion Therapeutics, where he joined as the second employee and helped build the company from inception through IPO to its $1.85 billion acquisition. Earlier, he held roles at AbbVie and Biogen, where he led and contributed to programs that produced multiple clinical-stage assets, including BIIB091 (now in Phase 2 for MS) and Litifilimab (now in Phase 3 for SLE/CLE). Kevin holds 14 issued U.S. patents, has published extensively in journals including Nature, Science, Cell, and PNAS. Kevin received his bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Washington University and his PhD in Immunology from the University of Washington before completing postdoctoral training with Klaus Rajewsky at Harvard Medical School.

Jim Peyser served as Massachusetts Secretary of Education under Governor Charlie Baker from 2015-2022, responsible for overseeing pre-school through post-secondary and adult education. He also served as a member of the Workforce Skills Cabinet. During his tenure as Secretary, he led the administration’s efforts to overhaul the state’s school funding formula, strengthen curriculum frameworks, redesign student assessments, and update the school accountability system. Jim also played a central role in strengthening the state’s focus on evidence-based early literacy. Under his leadership, the administration established a last-dollar need-based college scholarship program, representing the biggest increase in state-funded financial aid in more than two decades. Other accomplishments include the implementation of historic rate increases for early education providers, the launch of statewide early college and early career pathways, and the expansion of vocational-technical education for youth and working adults. Prior to being appointed Secretary by Governor Baker, Jim was a Managing Partner at NewSchools Venture Fund, where he established City Funds in support of education entrepreneurs and charter management organizations working in high-need urban neighborhoods.

Jim holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School (Tufts University) and a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University.

Chandra Ramanathan is a biopharmaceutical executive with deep experience translating technology and scientific innovations into treatment options and access for patients with high medical needs.

Proven leader across pharma, biotech, technology companies, startups, and academia, spanning early discovery through global product launches. Brings a strong track record navigating complex organizations and delivering results across biopharma, technology conglomerates, academic medical centers, and early-stage ventures. Broad subject-matter expertise across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and advanced therapies such as cell and gene therapy.

Most recently, Chandra served as Head of External Innovation, Life Sciences Innovation Group at Danaher Corporation. In this role, he focused on identifying and partnering on technologies with the potential to transform drug discovery and development, improve clinical translation success, and accelerate delivery of innovative medicines to patients. Previously at Danaher, he was Global Head of Innovation Hubs, leading product-oriented innovation across genomic medicine, diagnostics, human-systems R&D, and biomanufacturing.

Prior to Danaher, Chandra spent over twelve years at Bayer in senior global leadership roles. Most recently, he was Global Head of Pharma R&D Open Innovation, where he led Open Innovation Centers across the US, Europe, Japan, China, and Singapore. These centers drove early access to breakthrough technologies, strategic alliances, and public–private partnerships. Key accomplishments include establishing a major innovation center and securing approval for a Cell and Gene Therapy Incubator in Cambridge, Massachusetts, representing an investment exceeding $200 million.

Earlier roles at Bayer included Head of the Open Innovation Center North America–East, Global Program Lead for External Innovation in Life Sciences, Global Launch Team Leader for Aliqopa, and Head of Global Oncology Pipeline Marketing. Before joining Bayer, Chandra held positions at Wyeth (Pfizer) and Bristol Myers Squibb across drug discovery, applied genomics, and business development and licensing.

Chandra holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, a PhD in Genomics and Bioinformatics, an MS in Medicinal Chemistry, and a BS in Pharmacy.

He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Tufts School of Medicine and serves as the Chairperson, Nucleate Board of Directors. He was with the MassBIO Board (2017-2026) until recently where he served as the Chair of the Innovation Subcommittee. He also serves on the Innovation, Development, and Entrepreneurial Advisory Board at Johns Hopkins University and the Board of Trustees of McLean Hospital. He is actively engaged in ecosystem building through mentoring entrepreneurs and advising early-stage startups.

Joy Right is VP Talent Acquisition & Executive Search, Flagship Pioneering. With over twenty-five year’s experience and a proven track record in Talent Acquisition, Joy is a seasoned industry veteran having offered her services across RPO, Executive Search, and Corporate Executive recruitment. 2021 witnessed her join Flagship Pioneering, where she was entrusted with establishing a robust Talent Acquisition and Executive search function to cater to the immense growth and demand of the company following the raising of a $3.4 billion fund.

Presently, she’s at the helm of a 20-strong team, focusing on building nearly 30 companies specializing in biotech, sustainability, and AI under Flagship’s aegis.

Prior to this, as part of her role at Merck, she successfully established an in-house Executive Search function to meet the surge in Executive hiring demands spurred by the success of Keytruda, an impending CEO succession, and the spin-off of Women’s health company, Organon.

Before her stint at Merck from 2018, Joy played a pivotal role in establishing an innovative, in-house capability within IBM’s Global Business Services division. At JM Search, an esteemed Top 20

Retained Executive Search firm known for its work in the Private Equity space, Joy spearheaded C-level searches across various verticals like Healthcare Services, Life Sciences, and Technology.

An early partner at Kenexa in their Recruitment Process Outsourcing division, she spent ten years leading large RPO engagements primarily with Pharmaceutical companies.

Sunny Schwartz is the Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd). As CEO, Sunny leads the strategic vision for MassBioEd’s education and workforce development efforts. Sunny is proud to lead MassBioEd into its third decade of growing and developing talent in the Massachusetts life sciences workforce, which in turn develops innovations that save and improve lives. Under Sunny’s leadership and with an amazing team, MassBioEd has tripled in size since 2019 when Sunny joined the organization, adding innovative workforce development programs such as the Life Sciences Apprenticeship Program, College to Career, and the Life Sciences Career Hub while focusing BioTeach on high needs school districts though the ACCESS Program. In her previous positions, Sunny served as President & CEO of the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board, charged with leading workforce development policy and partnership building for a 20-city region, Chief Operating Officer of the Asian American Civic Association, a direct service education and training provider, and Program Development Manager at Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public state agency under the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Sunny has been a leader in the education and workforce development fields in Massachusetts since 2000, building partnerships to provide employers with a highly skilled workforce and expanding access to great careers for low-income residents. Sunny also has experience in community organizing and social work. Sunny holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. 

Cory Siddons is VP, Head of Global Supply Chain at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, where he leads clinical and commercial supply, global planning, logistics, trade compliance, and network strategy. He brings more than 20 years of experience across biotech operations, manufacturing, engineering, compliance, and consulting.

Prior to leading supply chain, Cory held senior manufacturing and engineering roles with responsibility for site operations, technology transfer, GMP readiness, and organizational scale-up. His work focuses on building resilient, data-enabled, globally connected supply chains that support growing clinical pipelines, commercial expansion, launch readiness, and increasingly complex manufacturing and distribution networks.

He is also actively engaged in workforce development and industry partnerships to help build the next generation of life sciences talent.

Jennifer Sloan is the Vice President of Operations and Site Leader at the Pfizer plant in Andover, Massachusetts.  Jen has 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.  She conducted her undergraduate and graduate studies at Tufts University and holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management.

Jen began her career in pharmaceutical research in the field of ophthalmology.  In 2001, Jen joined Pfizer in a Quality Assurance role where she gradually took on increasing levels of responsibility.  Jen has met with the FDA and multiple boards of health around on the world on topics such as Quality by Design, and Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine program.  Jen served as the Quality Lead for Pfizer’s global effort on developing a COVID-19 vaccine, one of 11 commercial products manufactured at Pfizer’s Andover Site.

Brian Souza is the Vice President of Workforce Development and Operations at the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd). Brian’s leadership in the nonprofit sector spans over 25 years working in community-based services, philanthropy, hospitals, community health centers, professional and workforce development, research, government, and in payer organizations.

Prior to joining MassBioEd, Brian was the Chief Executive Officer at Intend Health Strategies, a national workforce and professional development organization for healthcare providers, trainees, and students. Prior to that Brian served as the Chief Impact Officer for DentaQuest, where he led the company’s philanthropic, quality improvement, and innovation efforts, investing $17 million annually at the national, state, and community levels to improve oral health and champion health equity.

Brian has served in a range of leadership roles in the health and social services sectors, including at the Boston Partnership for Older Adults and the Community Care Alliance, a network of community health centers affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work degree focused on non-profit management, both from Boston University. Brian serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Arthritis National Research Foundation.

Lorelei Stoica is Executive Director, Nonclinical Gene Therapy Research at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, and leads execution of nonclinical program and platform research to continually optimize and invest in Ultragenyx’s gene therapy programs. Lorelei has contributed to the development of eight rare disease gene therapy programs, including four currently in clinical trials, for CNS, liver and muscle therapeutic areas. Lorelei earned a PhD from the University of Massachusetts, Worcester, studying AAV-delivered microRNAs for the treatment of ALS with Dr Miguel Sena-Esteves.

Dr. Kena A. Swanson is Vice President and Head of Viral Vaccines at Pfizer (Pearl River, NY), where she leads research and development efforts across RSV and other viral vaccine programs. She is an immunologist with 20+ years of vaccine research experience, including 16+ years in industry spanning preclinical immunology, bacterial and viral vaccines, early and late-stage development, and post-approval support. She has authored/co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Swanson served a pivotal role in the research and development of Pfizer’s RSV (Abrysvo™) and COVID-19 (Comirnaty™) vaccines from early research through regulatory approval. The RSV vaccine received US approval in 2023 for maternal immunization to protect infants and for active immunization of older adults to prevent RSV lower respiratory tract disease and is now approved in over 70 countries globally. She also led Pfizer’s research team, in collaboration with BioNTech, through initial approvals and seasonal updates to the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine program was initiated in March 2019 and received Emergency Use Authorization in December 2020. The vaccine is now licensed across the globe.

Dr. Swanson earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology and completed postdoctoral training at NIH/NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories. Her work spans multiple pathogens and vaccine platforms, and she is recognized for building and leading multidisciplinary teams that translate immunology and antigen design into clinically impactful vaccines.

Kirk Taylor, MD, is the President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. Kirk is a global pharmaceutical executive with expertise in Phase II – IV drug development, including CNS, oncology and rare disease. As Chief Medical Officer, Chief Strategy Officer and SVP Medical Affairs, he has restructured organizations, created strategic operating plans, and shaped corporate culture. His entrepreneurial acumen assisted in leading biotech start-up companies to successful IPOs and multiple funding rounds. He is people-first focused, leading teams with respect and innovation. In recognition of his positive impact, he was awarded the 2023 PharmaVoice 100 Executives Award.  

Dr. Taylor received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College and studied piano at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge. He completed his Doctor of Medicine from the State University of New York, Downstate, his neurology residency at Einstein College of Medicine, and a post-doc at UCSF.  

With a career spanning over two decades in pharmaceutical R&D, Matt Truppo has experience in developing and applying innovative solutions across the entire spectrum of drug discovery and development. Joining Sanofi in 2021, he currently serves as R&D’s single point of accountability for AI strategy, digital investment governance, and computational innovation. The end goal: to bring transformative therapies to patients faster than ever before.

Matt’s experience ranges from leading global, multidisciplinary teams of >1,000 people across different functions and interfaces, serving on the boards of multiple international consortia and scientific advisory boards, public speaking, and authoring >60 publications and patents. Prior to joining Sanofi, Matt was Vice President at J&J leading Protein Therapeutics Development and Biologics Discovery. Prior to that he spent 17 years at Merck.

His personal goal: to improve human health worldwide through the discovery, development and successful application of innovative science.  In his quest to achieve this, he has to-date been instrumental in R&D leading to 14 marketed products with >10 more currently progressing in clinical trials.

Marie Tupaj is the dean of the STEM division at Middlesex Community College. She has spent twenty years working in higher education as a scientist, engineering professor, and most recently, a STEM administrator. At Middlesex, Marie works on building new programs, including career focused short-term curriculum in biotechnology. She has advised many students on courses and STEM pathways and regularly advocates for women in science. Her research interests lie in the field of biomaterials and neural regeneration, where she has authored several peer reviewed publications and has served as a peer reviewer for journals in this field, including Biomaterials, Scientific Reports, and Advanced Functional Materials. Prior to Middlesex, she worked as a postdoctoral associate in the department of pharmaceutical sciences at Northeastern University, she worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the Bioengineering Institute at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and taught engineering courses at Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology.

Marie earned a B.S. in electrical engineering and a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Tufts University. She is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a member of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE).