Navigating Life Sciences Governance: Insights from Board Directors

Overview

Join us for an insightful discussion with board directors from the life sciences industry, as they share their experiences and offer a unique perspective on the complexities of governance in this dynamic field. Learn about the challenges and opportunities that set life sciences companies apart, and gain valuable insights that can help you navigate this complex landscape.

If you're interested in the intersection of life sciences and corporate governance, don't miss this informative webinar.

Registration

$00 Member Registration
$30 Non-Member Registration

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Zoom invitations will be shared the day before the event.

Thank you to our National Sponsors!

Panelists

Valerie Darling, Atlanta Chapter  Corporate Director Proteas Bioanalytics, Inc

Valerie Darling is a multilingual Latina independent director, CEO, and Chief Commercial Officer of Fortune 100 and startup healthcare and biotechnology companies with a history of identifying and executing strategies that accelerate growth, maximize profits, and improve stakeholder value. She is a dynamic leader with P&L responsibility of up to $1.4 billion in the highly regulated healthcare, biotechnology, MedTech, and diagnostics industries. The breadth and depth of her experience come from having served in executive and board leadership positions for startups and firms of varying sizes and organizational structures, with innovation and vision in building strategy and culture in times of transformation, organizational change, acquisitions, mergers, and integrations. She has experience in various healthcare sectors including oncology, genomics, cell and gene therapy, medical devices, diagnostics and serious/rare diseases. Known for driving revenue growth and building high performing teams, Valerie has demonstrated leadership and commitment to diversity, talent development, succession planning, and retention. Valerie was selected by Equilar and Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence as a Top 50 Diverse Board Director for 2023. She was named a Top 20 Director to Watch by Private Company Director magazine in 2023. Valerie is open to new board opportunities and has experience on several board committees: Audit, Nominating and Governance, Compensation, CEO Search and Succession, and DEI.

Valerie has served on several private, advisory, and non-profit boards. Her deep understanding of starting, leading, and scaling businesses and perspective on revenue growth, partnerships, and commercial markets bring a wealth of practical knowledge as a trusted adviser and collaborative board member. Her international experience, fluency in Spanish, multiple languages, and multicultural perspective have added to her proficiency in building trust and collegial relationships, handling conflict, and bringing groups to consensus. 

Bettina Cockroft, San Francisco Chapter Corporate Director CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Bettina Cockroft is an executive and board director with 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including taking a biotech public and raising funds through a NASDAQ listing. She has led clinical development in diverse therapeutic areas, including Neurology, Dermatology, Anti-infectives, Cardiovascular, and Rare Diseases, in her latest role serving as Chief Medical Officer of a cell & gene therapy company. She enjoys sailing and flying, holding an FAA Private Pilot certification, thrives in multicultural environments, with experience leading dynamic teams across continents and bridging cultural and language barriers. She is fluent in English, Italian, German, and conversant in French. Bettina serves as non-executive director on the boards of 2 NASDAQ-listed companies, Annexon Biosciences, where she is member of the Audit Committee and of the Science & Technology Committee, and CNS Pharmaceuticals, where she is member of the Compensation Committee and chairs the Nominating & Governance Committee.

Vera Tice, New England Chapter Corporate Director Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc.

Vera Tice is a board director, global strategic advisor, and technology executive in healthcare innovation, technology, and cybersecurity. Her career has focused on emerging technologies and mobilizing innovation (products and services, concept to market)through direct business and revenue generation experience. She has extensive board and advisory experience and corporate executive and technology leadership experience in large public and small to mid-size private companies. She advises organizations on strategic investment decisions to mobilize research, product development, and commercialization in healthcare and life sciences. Vera serves as an independent director of public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Currently serving on the board of Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc., she is open to new corporate board opportunities with mid-size private to public companies. She has served on several previous boards, including as board chair, chair of both Strategy and Compensation Committees, and on Audit and Finance Committees

Ferey Faridian, Southern California Corporate Director Radiomedix, Inc.

Ferey Faridian is a seasoned board member and CEO advisor with expertise in growing and exiting middle-market businesses. With a diverse background as a serial operating CEO, investment banker, venture capitalist, and private equity investor, he has a track record of enhancing enterprise value and optimizing exits in middle-market transitions and transactions. As a partner and managing Director at Newport LLC, a national CEO advisory firm, Ferey specializes in helping owners and CEOs of family-owned and closely held businesses, as well as private equity fund managers, maximize growth and monetization strategies. Ferey currently serves on four fiduciary and two advisory boards.

Moderator

Andrea Henderson, Atlanta Chapter Partner DHR Global

Andrea Henderson has been helping organizations match talent to value for over 25 years. She helps organizations scale, manage people risks and capture market opportunities via talent. Andrea is a Partner in the Life Sciences, Healthcare, Diversity, CEO & Board practices with DHR Global, a top 6 executive search and talent advisory firm. She is an aspiring member of a nomination/governance or compensation committee of an early-stage HR technology or services company.

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