Sadik Kassim is a scientist at Genomic Medicines for the Life Sciences Companies at Danaher and an executive with extensive experience in the biotechnology industry, with a specific focus on cell and gene therapy bioprocessing and translational research. Currently, he serves as Chief Technology Officer at Danaher, with a focus on Genomic Medicines. Most recently, he was Chief Technology Officer at Vor Bio, where he built the technical operations team responsible for process development, analytical development, supply chain, and manufacturing support of a CRISPR gene-edited HSPC product and oversaw the company’s CAR-T efforts. Before Vor, Sadik served as Executive Director at Kite Pharma and led the development of manufacturing processes for autologous CAR-T and TCR-based cell therapies. As the Chief Scientific Officer at Mustang Bio, Sadik managed the foundational build-out of the company’s preclinical and manufacturing activities. Earlier in his career, he was Head of Early Analytical Development for Novartis’ Cell and Gene Therapies Unit and worked on research teams at the National Cancer Institute with Dr. Steven Rosenberg, the University of Pennsylvania Gene Therapy Program with Dr. Jim Wilson, and Johnson and Johnson’s Immunology Discovery group. Sadik and his team have contributed to the successful BLA and MAA applications for three commercially available CAR-T therapies: Kymriah®, Yescarta®, and Tecartus®. Sadik holds a bachelor of science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from Tulane University, and earned his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Louisiana State University.

In 2009, Tom Foti co-founded Aldevron’s Protein Business Unit and currently serves in the role of Vice President/General Manager. Aldevron’s Protein Business Unit offers development and manufacturing services to the research, diagnostic and therapeutic markets and is based in Madison, WI.

Tom has been instrumental in developing and launching the CRISPR product line at Aldevron. From off-the-shelf products to custom GMP manufacturing, he and his team has helped clients advance their programs from concept to the clinic. His guidance and foresight have kept Aldevron in a leadership position in the competitive gene and cell therapy markets.

Tom has more than 30 years of biotechnology experience and prior to joining Aldevron, he served in several roles in Merck KGaA’s Bioscience Division (2000-2008), most recently as the Director of its Global Custom Services Business. He started his career in 1992, with Novagen, Inc. serving in scientific, manufacturing and operational roles until 1999. He played college basketball while earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Biotechnology and Microbiology from North Dakota State University. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Edgewood College and a Management Leadership Certificate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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Krishanu “Kris” Saha is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Pediatrics, and Bioethics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He holds the Retina Research Foundation Kathryn and Latimer Murfee Chair at the McPherson Eye Research Institute. His lab, located at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, focuses on gene editing of the retina and cell therapy production through genome editing. He has published over 100 scientific manuscripts, filed several patents, and received numerous awards, including the Biomedical Engineering Society’s Rising Star Award. In 2024, Dr. Saha was recognized as one of the top 10 scientists in therapeutic gene editing by STAT’s “Who to Know” list. He has co-led large collaborative efforts in cell and gene therapy, including the NSF Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT) and the NIH Somatic Cell Genome Editing (SCGE) Consortium. Additionally, Dr. Saha serves on national oversight committees related to biomanufacturing therapeutics for rare disease and is actively working to advance several therapeutic programs.

Wendy Harris is a seasoned healthcare industry professional with a remarkable 33-year career marked by her leadership and expertise in various aspects of the medical technology field. She has excelled in roles encompassing medical technology, imaging service, clinical training, operational and program management, and business leadership. Wendy’s career has been dedicated to gaining a comprehensive understanding of all facets of the business and identifying opportunities for improvement. Her skill set includes strong leadership, education and training, service, sales, clinical applications, operations, marketing, business management, and P&L leadership. Wendy’s extensive experience also highlights her proficiency in process improvement.

Business turn-around and growth specialist. Over a career spanning two decades he has led teams in sales, operations, marketing and now in product management and have experience across several industries ranging from consumer durable, IT to healthcare with both India/South Asia and global geographical experience for multinational corporations. He has successfully turned around and grown struggling businesses, as well as starting up new businesses and new revenue streams - be it the largest region for Johnson & Johnson's diabetes business in India, or a new greenfield unit for Asian Paints in a new geography, or his current role in GE HealthCare. Ashutosh Banerjee is known for his strategic, operational and people skills and he is a decisive leader with a vision that his team likes to follow and execute on. At GE HealthCare there are solutions that help clinicians help triage, diagnose and treat patients with CVD worldwide. Ashutosh is currently in charge of harmonizing and integrating the cardiology offerings across GE HealthCare. He is also the Global Business Head (GM) for the Diagnostic Cardiology business. This business is hyperfocused on the ECG ecosystem and they continuously listen to our customers and patients to design, manufacture and sell products (resting, stress ECG systems, ECG management and Ambulatory ECG devices and systems), intelligence and solutions that help clinicians triage and diagnose CVD to save lives worldwide everyday.

Jomol Mathew, PhD, inaugural Chief of Biomedical Informatics (CBMI) for SMPH, is also Director of the UW Clinical & Health Informatics Institute (CHI2) housed within ICTR, and a Visiting Associate Professor of Population Health Sciences.

Dr. Mathew’s work focuses on:

• Fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and team science involving biomedical informatics throughout our healthcare and research enterprise.
• Supporting the informatics components of novel studies, transdisciplinary grants, new training programs, and improved patient care
• Developing and strengthening relationships within our Academic Medical Center to advance clinical informatics as a foundational component of a Learning Health System

After receiving a PhD from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and doing a post-doctoral fellowship at the NY University School of Medicine, Dr. Mathew’s research and academic service focus has been on development of technological devices, informatics platforms, data analytics and decision support for improving wellness, disease prevention, early diagnosis, and efficient disease management. She has also led development of phenotype registries with metadata and standard vocabulary from EHR data. Most recently she served as Chief Research Informatics Officer at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Mara Lord, PhD, MBA, is Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for the Medical College of Wisconsin, a leading national health sciences university and academic health system. She also holds a faculty position as Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Global Engagement.

While with MCW, Mara has led planning and implementation of two regional medical school campuses, design of a joint biomedical engineering program across two universities, a philanthropic campaign raising $400 million, a five-year strategy to expand MCW, and a joint strategic plan with Wisconsin-based Froedtert Health. She also led the Milwaukee County COVID vaccination program for underserved communities.

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington, MBA from University of Wisconsin Lubar School, and PhD in public and community health from the Medical College of Wisconsin. She has a diverse professional background from television producer and music festival leader to art gallery manager in Costa Rica and director of a birth center in Seattle.

Mara currently serves on the MKE Tech Hub Board and the Wisconsin BioForward Board. She also is the Medical College of Wisconsin liaison to the Wisconsin BioHealth Tech Hub and project director of CAREScan, a novel mobile solution to bring healthcare into communities where resources are scarce.

Casey Liakos is the Vice President of QTI’s Executive, Professional, and Board of Directors Search Team. He has over 14 years of experience in staffing and recruiting, including serving as the president of a Wisconsin-based talent acquisition firm for just over six years.

Casey has managed hundreds of successful recruitment projects for talented leaders across numerous industries and has contributed to the success of the organizations he’s led in many capacities: Executive Leadership, Sales, Client Success, Recruitment, Consulting, Operations, and Program Management. Over the last decade, he has also mentored and advised numerous small businesses.

In 2020, Casey was named the InBusiness Small Business Executive of the Year. Casey earned his undergraduate (BA) and graduate degrees (MBA) from the University of Minnesota. He actively serves on the Board and on committees for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County.

Dr. Kangas is passionate about ecosystem building, especially in complex, emerging clusters. Currently, Idella serves as director for the Universities of Wisconsin’s Office of Economic and Employer Engagement where she connects the UW strategic plan to best practices in economic and workforce development.  Previously, Idella served as director for the Center for Technology Commercialization where she developed initiatives to expand access to federal funding via the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Additionally, Idella led the UW’s statewide seed fund, Ideadvance, in partnership with WEDC, a program supporting student, faculty, and alumni entrepreneurs across Wisconsin. Dr. Kangas holds degrees from the University of Chicago and UW-Madison.

Dr. Carrie Weikel Delaplane is Associate Dean of the School of STEM at Madison Area Technical College, where she leads advanced manufacturing programs and workforce partnerships. She serves as Principal Investigator for a $2M award supporting the Wisconsin EDA Biotech Hub through BioForward, advancing biotechnology career pathways. Her 20+ year career spans leadership in workforce development, higher education, and industry collaboration.

Eric Horler is President and CEO of AIQ Solutions, a software startup developing imaging biomarkers to improve outcomes for patients with late-stage cancer. He joined the company in 2018 and brings extensive experience in healthcare innovation and leadership.

Prior to AIQ Solutions, Eric served as President and CEO of Swallow Solutions, a medical device startup focused on dysphagia. During his tenure, he successfully raised seed capital, expanded the team, established the supply chain, drove sales growth, and executed a complex reimbursement strategy. Earlier in his career, Eric was General Manager of Premium Anesthesia and Respiratory Care at GE Healthcare, where he led a $220 million global business with teams across three continents. He also held various marketing and business development roles at Baxter Healthcare, including Director of Renal Products and Services for the Latin America region.

Eric holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Rice University, and both an MBA and a Master of Engineering Management from Northwestern University.

Bryan Glaser, PhD, currently serves as Invenra’s Senior Vice President of Business Development responsible for leading the company’s efforts in partnering the Invenra pipeline assets as well as establishing new strategic collaborations. He was a founding member of the Invenra scientific team and previously served as Vice President of Research, responsible for overseeing the development of the company’s B-Body™ multispecific technologies, as well as early discovery efforts for internal and partnered programs in immuno-oncology. Prior to Invenra, Bryan was a postdoctoral fellow/Senior Scientist at the non-profit, SRI International.

Bryan received his BS in Medical Microbiology and Immunology and his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Brock Hensen is the Chief Operating Officer at EnsoData, where he oversees AI, engineering, customer success, product management, and business development. EnsoData’s AI solutions empower clinicians to diagnose and treat conditions like sleep apnea, bringing transformative technology into everyday care.

Previously, Brock spent five years at Epic Systems, leading large-scale EHR implementations alongside health system executives, clinicians, and IT leaders.

He holds an MBA from the Wisconsin School of Business and has raised more than $50 million in venture capital, built and scaled teams from the ground up, and delivered innovative digital health products to market.

Sarah Duellman, Ph.D. leads global business strategy for the biotech segment at Promega Corporation. A research scientist turned technical advisor, she now focuses on identifying emerging trends across the biotech landscape and aligning Promega’s innovative technologies with cutting-edge research. In her current role, she develops and executes global commercialization strategies and marketing initiatives that support researchers across the biotech industry. Sarah also leads a strategic initiative to engage biotech incubators and early-stage companies, fostering access to technologies that drive growth and innovation. She sits on the advisory board of Forward Biolabs and serves on the board of BioForward Wisconsin. At the Summit, Sarah will moderate the panel on Emerging Growth Companies, drawing on her experience at the intersection of scientific innovation, commercialization, and startup collaboration.

Edward Ladwig’s current role is President of Eurofins Food Chemistry testing. Ladwig has full P&L responsibility for a business that produces more than $90M in annual revenue in this role. He manages a team of 300 chemists and food science professionals conducting tens of thousands of nutritional chemistry tests annually, focusing on optimizing P&L. Ladwig also oversees the Commercial team of 30 Development Directors, Inside Sales, Client Services, and Technical Sales Representatives. He is also responsible for the North American food and supplement testing market and oversees the design and construction of a new 110K square foot laboratory. Ladwig holds a B.S. in Biology and Animal Sciences from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Before joining Eurofins, Ladwig was a Research Technician and Research and Production Manager at Maple Leaf Farms. At Covance, Ladwig acted as Senior Manager of Non-Clinical Safety Assessment and Director of Global Resource Management and Innovation. In 2012, Ladwig became Director of Global Nutrient Chemistry at Eurofins, and in January of 2019 moved into the role of Vice President – Chemistry Operations.

Kyle Griffiths is a seasoned leader with more than 35 years of experience in the food, biotechnology, and nutraceutical industries. A 20-year veteran of the probiotic sector, he holds a B.S. in Sociology and Business Administration from Utah State University. Throughout his career, Kyle has built his success on fostering trusted relationships and creating opportunities that deliver mutual value for organizations.

He has overseen both sales and marketing operations and was formerly a partner at Global Health Industries, a market innovator that pioneered many of the manufacturing standards now used by leading probiotic contract manufacturers.

Today, Kyle serves as the Chief Executive Officer of CSL USA Inc., where he is responsible for guiding the company’s strategic vision and driving sustainable growth throughout the North American markets. Under his leadership, CSL USA is focused on strengthening its presence and influence by highlighting the company’s rich history, unwavering commitment to quality, and world-class technical expertise. With deep capabilities in dairy and non-dairy cultures as well as probiotics, CSL continues to deliver innovative solutions that support the evolving needs of its customers while maintaining the highest standards of excellence.

Outside of work, Kyle is dedicated to his family, faith, and community. He and his wife, Tami, are proud parents of three daughters and grandparents to eight energetic grandchildren. Kyle considers his greatest accomplishment to be his role as a husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoys time with family outdoors—boating, camping, and fishing in the summer, and skiing and other adventures in the winter.

Kyle is also an active contributor to industry advancement. He has been engaged with the International Probiotic Association, Global Prebiotic Association, United Natural Products Alliance, American Herbal Products Association, American Botanical Council, and other groups committed to promoting the health benefits of natural products. He is a strong advocate for quality, integrity, and innovation within the probiotic industry.

Anthony Kiefer is the Probiotic Strain Characterization Group Manager within the Health and Biosciences division at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) in Madison, WI. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a focus on Cellular Physiology from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. With over a decade of experience in microbiology and molecular biology, Anthony leads a team of experts dedicated to genomic and in vitro safety, as well as the development of microbiological, PCR, and flow-cytometry-based methods. His team also supports strain improvement and the development of new strains. Anthony is passionate about pioneering novel methods that generate new insights and add value for IFF and their customers.

Kyle Leistikow is the CORE Innovation Research Manager at Microbial Discovery Group, where he leads a cross-disciplinary team dedicated to advancing microbial solutions that positively impact global health and sustainability initiatives. Over the past decade, he has built collaborative partnerships across industry and academia that have generated patents, publications, and products for human, animal, and environmental health applications. His leadership focuses on creating research platforms that combine ecological, evolutionary, and computational approaches to better harness beneficial microbes. By integrating machine learning with microbiome research, his team is uncovering new ways to predict and prevent enteric diseases, helping transform biological data into actionable solutions. Dr. Leistikow began his research career at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and earned his PhD from Marquette University, where his work on bacterial communication systems led to the discovery of a novel antimicrobial compound effective against MRSA. He is passionate about cultivating innovation ecosystems that accelerate discovery, improve health outcomes, and expand the role of microbes in solving pressing global challenges.

Tim Hotchandani is a Senior Managing Director of Healthcare Services & Technology Investment Banking.

Prior to joining Leerink Partners, Mr. Hotchandani served as a Managing Director at Rothschild & Co, specializing in the coverage of Life Science Technology companies globally. Previously, he was a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank and began his career as an investment banking analyst at Lehman Brothers and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC.

Mr. Hotchandani earned a Bachelor of Business and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also a CFA® charter holder.

Lisa Johnson is a seasoned leader in Wisconsin’s biohealth sector, currently serving as the CEO of BioForward Wisconsin. With a background in finance and a degree from UW-Madison, Lisa’s journey in the industry began in 1989 when she co-founded the life science reagents company, Novagen. Her extensive experience includes global roles at Merck KGaA/EMD, where she worked closely with brilliant scientists, providing her with invaluable insights into the life sciences field. In her current role as CEO of BioForward Wisconsin, Lisa is dedicated to the growth and development of Wisconsin’s biohealth ecosystem. She is a strong advocate for action-oriented individuals who exhibit positive energy in driving the state’s economy.

Jeff (J.D.) Davids is an entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience building startup companies in California where he raised over $100M in venture capital and corporate funding.  He served on the management teams of 8 VC backed companies with 6 successful exit events. J.D. is an operating executive and expert at fundraising and exit planning who has over $1 billion in completed deals.  

His current focus is to strengthen and grow the venture ecosystem in the Heartland of America with education, events & published reports.

J.D.’s DealMaker Academy programs have had over 3,500 participants nationwide and graduate companies have raised over $260M in funding.

Published reports include the quarterly Ohio Life Sciences Member Investor Portfolio Report and annual reports for iBIO (Illinois Bio) and Wisconsin BioForward.  These reports, along with the Ohio Venture Pipeline are published in partnership with Spoke Design.

J.D. also leads the Ohio Venture Pipeline, publishing a semi-annual report and event that provides “Dealflow as a Public Service” to raise awareness about all the venture style deals across Ohio.  The Ohio Venture Pipeline has built a Data Lake that contains scrubbed and tagged information for over 778 venture style deals across Ohio that raised $5.2 Billion since 1/1/2022.

J.D. is a graduate of THE Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.  In his free time, he enjoys tree farming on land that has been in his family since 1907.

Adam Steinert serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Yahara Software, a leading provider of innovative software solutions tailored to scientific operations and instrument development. With over 25 years of applied experience in the software industry, he leads a team of skilled developers, creating cutting-edge solutions that address unique challenges of the industry.

Beyond technical execution, Adam partners with companies to align their software investments with broader business objectives, providing strategic guidance on technology adoption, digital transformation initiatives, and long-term vision development. His expertise spans both the tactical implementation of complex software projects and the strategic planning necessary to ensure these initiatives drive meaningful organizational outcomes. Adam's collaborative approach helps organizations navigate the evolving technology landscape while building sustainable, scalable solutions that support their mission-critical operations.

Matthew Friedel is co-founder and Executive Vice President of Milwaukee Venture Partners MVP Angel Network. He is also co-founder of UWM’s Disruptive Technologies Lab, Previous Director of the UWM Business Innovation Incubator, and Teaching Faculty at UWM’s Lubar College of Business and the School of Information Studies. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Marquette University. Matt teaches a graduate level class at UWM: Applied Web 3.0: Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain. Matt has been featured in the BizTimes as one of Wisconsin’s 275 Most Influential Business Leaders. He was also named a Notable Leader in Higher Education for the Class of 2023. Matt was also recognized as Wisconsin Titan 100 Honoree in 2025. Matt was also recently featured in UWM’s Panther’s Wave Campaign for his efforts in shaping Wisconsin’s entrepreneurship and tech ecosystem. He holds a B.S. in Engineering from UWM. He earned an M.S. in Engineering and MBA from Marquette with a focus on entrepreneurship.

Dr. Peter S. LaViolette, PhD, MS, is the Robert C. Olson, MD Professor of Radiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He holds the directorship of the Quantitative Imaging Laboratory and is a faculty member in the Section of Imaging Research, Division of Imaging Sciences.  Dr. LaViolette received a BS in Physics at St. Norbert College, an MS in Physics from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and his PhD in Biophysics from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. LaViolette’s lab focuses on advancing medical imaging techniques, especially for neurological diseases like brain cancer and epilepsy, with the aim of improving patient outcomes and therapy efficacy. His recent work has focused on radiopathomic modeling which integrates MRI imaging with histology/pathology data to build predictive models of tumor behavior and applying AI and deep learning methods to medical imaging to better characterize tumors to predict treatment response, to delineate disease extent beyond what standard MRI shows, and to support clinical decision-making.

Justin Jeffery is Co-Founder/CEO of RPT Labworks, a contract research organization specializing in radiopharmaceutical theranostics (RPTs). The company provides preclinical services and infrastructure to support the development of targeted radioactive drugs for precision imaging and therapy.

Previously, Justin was Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Phantech, LLC, which designs, engineers and builds phantom technology for the calibration and quality management of biomedical imaging modalities, and Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of TheraCea Pharma, known for its  novel chemical process to allow efficient "shake and bake" 18F-labeling of biologics, with applications in immuno-oncology, neurology, cardiology and infectious diseases. Justin also has extensive experience managing research operations, including his role as Associate Director of the Small Animal Imaging & Radiotherapy Facility at the UW Carbone Cancer Center.

Justin studied at the University of Minnesota, University of Arizona, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Michelle Garsha is the CEO of Detect, a diagnostics company focused on advancing women’s health through the development of molecular and multiplex platforms that deliver accurate, rapid diagnostics at the point of need.

Previously, Michelle served as President of Global Women’s Health Diagnostics at Hologic. She began her career in women’s health as a scientist at Third Wave Technologies, where she was a co-inventor of one of the first molecular tests for HPV. She went on to hold progressively senior commercial roles, ultimately joining Hologic through its acquisition of Third Wave in 2008. At Hologic, Michelle was instrumental in establishing the company’s market-leading position in women’s health diagnostics. She led a wide range of functions, including women’s health marketing, strategic alliances, healthcare provider sales, and scientific and medical affairs. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for developing high-performing teams, with a leadership approach centered on maximizing people’s strengths and cultivating purpose-driven cultures.

Michelle holds a BS in Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Vivek Swaminathan is the CEO of Cardamom, a Madison-based health IT startup that brings together experts in data, analytics, AI, and applications to help healthcare organizations maximize the value of their technology investments. With a technology-forward mindset, Cardamom takes a team-driven, outcomes-focused approach to solving complex IT and operational challenges across the healthcare enterprise, from revenue cycle optimization to EHR application support, patient engagement, and beyond.

As a proud Madison native, Badger alum, and Asian American, Vivek brings over 20 years of experience in health IT, with leadership roles at Epic, Paradigm, and Nordic. Known for his strategic mindset, servant leadership style, and results-driven approach, Vivek has successfully grown software and professional services businesses from startups to late-stage organizations. Passionate about improving health outcomes while reducing costs, he has been recognized as one of Madison’s top health innovators. Vivek looks forward to sharing his experiences and perspectives with you.

Victor Santoro Fernandes, PhD is a co-founder of CellTrack, a biotechnology company developing advanced molecular imaging tools to accelerate the development of next generation cell therapies. CellTrack’s lead product, TrackTGL, enables real time tracking of therapeutic cells in vivo, providing unprecedented insights into cell trafficking, persistence, and targeting, key parameters for translational and clinical success.

Dr. Fernandes is a world expert in predictive modeling for theranostics and molecular imaging. His research bridges medical physics, oncology, and biotechnology to improve the precision and predictability of therapeutic outcomes. As a scientist and inventor, he played a lead role in developing a patented imaging technology that is currently commercialized by AIQ Solutions, a Madison based precision imaging company.

Prior to co-founding CellTrack, Victor earned his PhD in Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he currently serves as an Entrepreneurial Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Medical Physics. He also holds a Master’s degree in Medical Physics from UW-Madison, and a Master’s in Physics from the University of São Paulo (USP).

Victor is a winner and runner up of the Governor’s Business Plan Competition (GBPC) and continues to drive the convergence of imaging science and biotechnology, advancing innovations that will shape the next generation of precision medicine.

Marwa Bassiouni brings over two decades of experience in strategic operations, program leadership, and partnership development across the healthcare, biohealth, and academic sectors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from UW–Madison and an MBA from Edgewood College. Most recently, she has supported early-stage startups through her consulting firm, MB Focus Consulting, where she has provided fractional leadership and business operations expertise to help companies scale sustainably. Prior to that, she led strategy and service line innovation at GenesisCare and managed complex digital health programs at Propeller Health. Her career also includes time at UW–Madison, where she played key roles in research administration, translational science, and institutional grant strategy.

With a deep passion for building impactful partnerships and bringing people together to drive innovation, she thrives at the intersection of science, strategy, and collaboration. She is an active member of Wisconsin’s startup and biohealth communities and is committed to growing the state’s innovation economy.

After earning degrees in Biology and Chemistry, Jackie began her career in structure-based drug design at Pfizer. With a decade of experience in expressing, purifying, and crystallizing proteins for X-ray data collection and structure determination, she joined MilliporeSigma in the Specialty Assays group. During her time there, she contributed to multiple product launches, including nanodiscs, IVD kits, flow cytometry assays, and Duolink, utilizing her extensive expertise in protein chemistry and immunoassays. Her work on the Duolink Custom offering led to her recognition by the Assay Development Services group, where she currently serves as Senior Commercial Project Manager. In this role, she has empowered customers globally to utilize MilliporeSigma products and reagents in the development of world-class lateral flow assays.

Nina has over 20 years experience in lateral flow research and development, and has held a number of senior technical roles throughout her career at some of the big-name global diagnostics firms in the market. Nina joined Abingdon in 2019 overseeing all proof of concept and new product development projects. Nina’s specialty is leading R&D development teams to successful project completion and commercialisation of products.

Dennis Jordan is Director of Customer, Community and Economic Development for Alliant Energy.  Dennis leads the strategy and team for economic and community development activities as well as key account managers for both Iowa and Wisconsin.  Most recently, Dennis was Senior Business Development Manager for M. A. Mortenson Company (Mortenson) headquartered in Minneapolis with an office in Coralville.  

Previously, Dennis spent fourteen years at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, formerly Priority One as Vice President Economic Development.   Dennis was responsible for leading the organizations efforts in the economic development including marketing to target industry companies throughout the United States, Canada and Europe as well as managing corporate headquarter relationships of existing companies.

Dennis is a graduate of Kirkwood Community College, has a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa.  Dennis currently serves as Adjunct Lecturer for the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) at the University of Iowa where he teaches Entrepreneurial Marketing and serves as a faculty mentor for JPEC Business Consulting.

Dennis has many current volunteer leadership roles including:

Deputy, Iowa Business Council

Executive Board Member, Entrepreneurial Development Center

Vice President/Chair-Development Committee, Kirkwood Foundation

Board of Trustees, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa

Member, Large Investor & Economic Development Councils at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance

Campaign Cabinet, United Way of East Central Iowa

Assistant District Governor, Rotary District 5970

Past President, Cedar Rapids Rotary Club

Board Member, Rotary Action Group for Clubfoot

Board Member, Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group

Board Member, UNI Alumni Association Board of Managers

Dennis is also a member of the following organizations: Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Professional Developers of Iowa, International Economic Development Council & Utility Economic Development Association

Dennis is married to Angela Jordan and they have four grown children.

Phil Schneider is a Principal at Global Location Strategies, a leading site selection and incentives negotiation firm for manufacturing and industrial companies. He brings over 35 years of experience in global location strategy, site selection, incentives negotiation, and economic development. He has advised leading companies such as Google, Apple, Toyota, and Johnson & Johnson, completing more than 400 projects across industries including manufacturing, technology, R&D, and shared services.

Before joining GLS, Phil led Schneider Strategy Consulting and held senior leadership roles at Deloitte Consulting and Fantus Consulting, where he built and led major location strategy practices. His work spans the U.S. and international markets, supporting both corporate clients and investment promotion agencies worldwide. A past President and Chairman of the Site Selectors Guild, Phil is widely regarded as a thought leader in his field. He frequently publishes articles, speaks at conferences, and serves as an expert source for business media.

Phil holds BA and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Dr. Tom Boike serves as clinical program lead RLT within clinical execution at Novartis. Prior to this role, he was the U.S. Chief Medical Officer for Theranostics at GenesisCare and practiced as a Radiation Oncologist at MHP Radiation Oncology Institute. Before joining MHP, Dr. Boike held the position of Network Medical Director for the Karmanos Cancer Institute, where he oversaw oncology quality initiatives across Michigan. Dr. Boike completed his residency at the University of Texas Southwestern, where he was Chief Resident and later served as an Assistant Professor. He also held an academic appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor at Wayne State University.

Nationally, Dr. Boike has contributed to cancer care quality and clinical standards through his service on several prominent committees. He has been a member of the Prostate Cancer Task Force at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Co-Chair of the Practice Accreditation Committee for the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), and a member of the executive committee for the Michigan Radiation Oncology Quality Consortium. He has also advanced quality efforts through participation in ASTRO’s APEx Committee and as an APEx radiation oncology practice surveyor.

Dr. Boike has authored numerous publications focused on prostate, breast, and lung cancers. A Michigan native, he holds a BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan and an MD from Wayne State University School of Medicine.