Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, CEO & President, MassBio – Board President

As CEO and President of MassBio, Kendalle leads the strategic direction for the organization and drives policy advocacy for the industry to ensure that Massachusetts life sciences companies have the best environment possible to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize breakthrough therapies and cures for people around the world.

Pursuing innovation and delivering for members are the hallmarks of Kendalle’s more than 15 years at MassBio, including the launch of several multi-year initiatives focused on realizing a diverse and equitable life sciences industry, supporting the continued growth and sustainability of the industry throughout Massachusetts, and providing resources and solutions to companies across the industry value chain. Kendalle has played a critical role in MassBio’s growth into the largest life sciences trade association in the world with over 1,600 members.

Prior to joining MassBio, Kendalle practiced law in the areas of Estate and Medicaid Planning, Probate and Asset Protection. She graduated cum laude from Sacred Heart University with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science and received her Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. She resides in Haverhill, Massachusetts with her husband and two children.

Alan Koder, Managing Director, Beacon Capital Partners – Board Clerk

Alan is based in Boston and has a background in life sciences with over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceuticals industry. At Beacon, Alan has national responsibility for its life sciences assets and oversees its spec suite program, Beacon Ready Labs.  Before joining Beacon, he was a Senior Director at CBRE Boston Consulting with a focus on life science operations and lab strategy. Before joining CBRE, he was the Head of Global Operations for Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS, where he was responsible for the direction, planning, and execution of the business worldwide. Previously, he worked as a scientific researcher at the Salk Institute, Novartis, and Ambrx. Alan holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of San Diego.

Fredericka Butler, HR Business Leader, Takeda Oncology

Fredericka Butler is currently an HR Business Leader for Takeda Oncology. She has over 15 years of HR leadership experience across diverse industries including consumer goods, transportation and biotech. Fredericka’s first job in biotech was with Dendreon Pharmaceuticals, an organization that developed the first FDA-approved immunotherapy made from a patient’s own immune cells. This was a very impactful experience having lost her father to cancer. She is very proud of the work being done to impact patients and families. She holds a MA degree from Webster University, a Birkman certified leadership coach and holds Senior HR Professional designation. Fredericka is also an advisory board member for Clark University’s biotech program and is passionate about civic engagement.

Rahul Dhanda, Co-Founder, CEO, & Director of Syntis Bio

Rahul is co-founder, CEO, and director of Syntis Bio. He is also the co-founder and chairman of BLASTID, Inc., a spinout of Harvard Medical School funded through ARPA-H, which awarded the largest grant ever received by the institution. Additionally, Rahul serves as an independent director at Constructive Bio.

Prior to Syntis, Rahul co-founded Sherlock Biosciences, where he served as CEO, president, and director from inception to launching the first-ever CRISPR product, diagnostic or therapeutic, authorized by the FDA. Under his leadership, Sherlock was recognized as a Fast Company Most Innovative Company (Top 10 in Biotech), a Red Herring Top 100 Company, Fierce15 MedTech, a Tech Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, and a Top 50 Innovative Company by BostonInno, among others. Rahul was also named to Boston’s Power50 list by the Boston Business Journal in 2020.

Rahul spent over a decade at T2 Biosystems in critical roles that led the company to become a publicly-traded, commercial leader in infectious disease diagnostics. As Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Marketing, he spearheaded multiple strategic and commercial initiatives, including marketing, product management, and over $40 million in partnering deals.

Rahul holds an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management and a B.A. from Wesleyan University. He is the author of “Guiding Icarus: Merging Bioethics with Corporate Interests,” the first book addressing the intersection of industry and bioethics/public policy. Rahul is also an inventor on numerous patents and has authored several publications.

Linda Dorcena Forry, Principal, LDF Holdings; Founder, New Commonwealth Racial Equity & Social Justice Fund

Linda, a former Massachusetts State Senator and State Representative, and native Bostonian, is currently the Principal of her own community development consultancy firm LDF Holdings which offers multi-tier services from real estate consulting to community relations and DEI strategy. Linda is co-publisher of the Dorchester Reporter/Reporter Newspapers with her husband Bill Forry. She is also a Founder of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund, which works to build and elevate Black and Brown non-profit leaders and community organizations equitable access to philanthropic dollars in Massachusetts. Prior to this, Linda was an executive at Suffolk Construction, as Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion, & Community Relations.

Linda is a corporate board trustee of Eversource Energy, a national leader in renewable and clean energy and the largest utility company in the Northeast. She is active as a Director on the Board of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for U.S. Senate, BIDMC Trustee Advisory Board, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester., and Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In addition, she is a member of the John F. Kennedy Library Advisory Board, Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government advisory board, The Winsor School and Boston College High School.

She holds an MPA from Harvard University, JFK School of Government, and a BS, in Business Management from Boston College. 

Linda lives in Dorchester with her husband, William Forry and their four children. 

Corwin Gaines, Director of Lab Support Services, Flagship Lab Services

Corwin serves as the Director of Lab Support Services at Flagship Lab Services in Boston, MA. With over 8 years of experience in the life science sector, Corwin manages multiple accounts in Cambridge and Boston. He began his journey as a facility technician with DENS Facility Services, now Flagship Lab Services, and steadily progressed to his current role. Beyond overseeing accounts, Corwin plays a key role in training new technicians on facilities and lab support tasks. Prior to his career in lab services, Corwin gained valuable experience in high-end residential construction.

Kelsey Green, Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Kelsey is an HR professional with nearly 15 years of experience in the life sciences industry, where she has focused on delivering talent strategies to support evolving business needs. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Kelsey leads the D&I center of excellence and is responsible for deploying the enterprise strategy focused on accelerating inclusive culture. Kelsey graduated from Northeastern University and currently lives in southeastern Massachusetts. In her personal time, she enjoys distance running, exploring new recipes, and spending time with family.

Ian Ide, Vice President of Talent Acquisition and People Analytics, Foundation Medicine

Ian is the Vice President of Talent Acquisition and People Analytics at Foundation Medicine.  Foundation Medicine is an independent subsidiary of Roche, headquartered in Boston with approximately 1800 employees.  In his role, Ian leads all of aspects hiring, from entry-level positions in the Lab to the executive level, including core recruiting, executive search, university recruiting, employment branding and talent operations.  He is a key partner in the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, helping to set the strategy, establish key partnerships, and execute programs across the enterprise. Ian is a member of Foundation Medicine’s Senior Leadership Team, Diversity Council, and People Leadership Team.

Before joining Foundation Medicine, Ian was with WinterWyman, one of the largest and most recognized search firms in the Northeast at the time. He held various roles with them, including serving as Co-President of their direct hire business and as President of Executive Search. During his time with WinterWyman, Ian partnered with many well-known companies across the country from early-stage start-ups to Fortune 500 firms, helping them to successfully grow and acquire key talent for critical roles.

Ian earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire.  He lives in Middleton with his wife, Jessica. They have three grown children: Ian’s daughters, Alexa and Shaelyn, and his stepdaughter, Lauren.

Carol (Stuckey) Lauer, Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships, Dean of the School of Professional Studies, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Carol Lauer is Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships and Dean of the School of Professional Studies at MCPHS where she leads initiatives to expand innovative educational opportunities for life science professionals. With a strong background in higher education administration and workforce development, she is dedicated to creating accessible, high-quality programs that support lifelong learning and create new pathways to industry. Carol’s leadership focuses on bridging the gap between academic excellence and industry needs, ensuring that students gain the skills most needed by employers. 

Throughout her career, Carol has been a champion of professional education, leveraging her strategic vision to drive enrollment growth and add value to employers and students. Passionate about the potential of education to change lives, Carol is committed to fostering a learning environment that empowers individuals to advance their careers while making meaningful contributions to patient outcomes.

Anne Maglia, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, UMass Lowell

Anne serves as the vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. In this role, she oversees the university’s research portfolio, including managing large-scale infrastructure projects, fostering research innovation and collaboration, growing industry partnerships, and promoting economic development initiatives, such as the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC). Her leadership aims to drive innovation and sustainability, aligning with UMass Lowell’s strategic goals of enhancing faculty and student success while promoting regional economic growth.

Maglia previously served as a program director and science advisor at the US National Science Foundation (NSF). While at NSF, she managed computational biology programs, led the recovery and re-competition of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), and managed several large national BIO centers and institutes.

Prior to NSF, she was professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology, where her funded research program focused on developing computational tools to address complex biological problems. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Kansas, holds master’s certificates in Program and Project Management from the George Washington University School of Business, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Matthew Maruca, Chief Legal Officer, Inception Fertility – Board Counsel

Matthew K. Maruca has more than 15 years of experience in corporate, securities, and health care transactional law.  He has served for over a decade as the Chief Legal Officer for two healthcare services companies and has also been in private practice at two large national law firms, Norton Rose Fulbright and Baker Donelson. Since 2019, he has been the Chief Legal Officer for Inception Fertility, the largest provider of comprehensive fertility clinics and services in North America. He is licensed to practice law in both Massachusetts and Texas. He graduated with a BA from Boston College and a JD from Tulane University.  

Tim Mills, Vice President of Drug Product Manufacturing, Moderna

Tim Mills is a global manufacturing leader with deep expertise in drug product manufacturing, operational excellence, and supply chain management. As Vice President of Drug Product Manufacturing at Moderna, he oversees internal manufacturing operations, ensuring reliable supply for clinical programs. His leadership has been instrumental in transitioning facilities from construction to full-scale GMP production, managing large-scale budgets, and driving operational efficiency through technology integration.

Previously, Tim held leadership roles at Sanofi, Bioverativ, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he optimized external manufacturing networks, enhanced regulatory compliance, and built high-performing teams. Earlier in his career at Biogen, he played a key role in supporting large-scale drug substance manufacturing operations in Denmark, focusing on building out laboratories to ensure robust analytical and quality capabilities. His international experience gives him a broad perspective on global manufacturing challenges and opportunities.

Tim holds a B.S. in Biology from Northeastern University and has completed advanced training in regulatory affairs, project management, and leadership development. He serves on advisory committees and is committed to advancing biopharmaceutical innovation and sustainability.

A Massachusetts native, Tim grew up in the state and currently resides in Northborough.