Leaders from BioMed Realty, Fitzsimons Innovation Community, J.P. Morgan, and Umoja Biopharma Join CBSA Board
DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), which creates co-opportunity for Colorado’s life sciences community by championing the ecosystem’s successes and advocating for a supportive business climate, announces the appointment of four accomplished leaders to its Board of Directors. The new members strengthen the board, which guides CBSA’s strategic direction and goals, represents the best interests of CBSA members, and advances Colorado as a national hub for health innovation.
The newly appointed board members are:
Jennifer Chavez, Senior Director, BioMed Realty
Provides comprehensive commercial real estate transaction expertise and specialized business management services for BioMed Realty’s Colorado portfolio, including the 23-building Flatiron Park, a hub for life science, quantum and technology innovation. Her background includes providing successful real estate transaction, operations, and marketing oversight for a variety of clients including Fortune 500 companies, institutional REITs, and local real estate investors and tenants.
Kelly Jean Brough, President & CEO, Fitzsimons Innovation Community
Leads the dynamic growth of Fitzsimons Innovation Community, a sprawling campus of leading-edge laboratory workspace where innovative health and life sciences companies of all sizes take their research to the next level to cure diseases, save lives, and improve care. A highly respected and experienced business leader, she brings expertise across the public and private sectors, workforce development, and healthcare.
Linda D. Secka, Executive Director, Life Sciences and Healthcare Services, J.P. Morgan
Partners with life sciences and healthcare companies to navigate complex capital markets and credit needs. With deep expertise in financial analysis, venture and sponsor-backed transactions, capital debt structuring, and client relationship management, she advances high-growth organizations with financial strategies and expert counsel.
Ryan Crisman, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Umoja Biopharma
Leads the development of in vivo cell therapies at Umoja Biopharma, working to unlock the full potential of CAR T cells for cancer and other serious diseases. The company’s state-of-the-art lentiviral vector development and manufacturing facility in Louisville, Colorado, supports this groundbreaking work. The company recently closed a $100M Series C financing co-led by Double Point Ventures and DCVC Bio to support the clinical development of VivoVec™ derived in vivo CAR T cells.
“Jennifer, Kelly, Linda, and Ryan play a pivotal role in growing our ecosystem, from infrastructure and investment to cutting-edge innovation and commercialization,” said Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of CBSA. “Their contributions will reinforce Colorado’s position as a leading location for life sciences and bolster our ecosystem’s efforts to advance groundbreaking medical technologies from Colorado for the patients who need them most.”
The CBSA board reflects the breadth of the state’s health innovation ecosystem. Board members are C-level leaders at publicly traded companies, serial entrepreneurs who turn ideas into life-saving therapies for patients, renowned scientists, academic leaders, recognized experts in finance, law and operations, respected investors, and forward-thinking leaders developing the critical infrastructure our ecosystem needs.
“Our newest board members demonstrate the strength and diversity of our life sciences ecosystem,” said Ethan Mann, Ph.D., M.B.A., CEO of OrganiShield and Chair of the CBSA Board of Directors. “Together, we will accelerate Colorado’s momentum as a top five hub for life sciences in the U.S. and drive impact for CBSA members and sponsors through partnerships, talent attraction, and investment.”
Board members collaborate with the CBSA team to champion and drive the growth of the state’s life sciences ecosystem, and support Colorado Hub for Health Impact, the large-scale national economic development campaign for life sciences. With significant investments in infrastructure, lab space, and talent development, Colorado continues to attract innovative companies and leaders who are shaping the future of healthcare.
Thirty leaders representing medical device and diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, ag bio and animal health, digital health, academic and research institutions, and service providers make up the CBSA board. Names and photos of the full board of directors are available on the CBSA website.
About Colorado BioScience Association
Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products and services that improve and save lives. The association leads Capital and Growth, Education and Networking, Policy and Advocacy, and Workforce Cultivation to make its members stronger, together. Learn more: cobioscience.com
About Colorado Hub for Health Impact
Smart, inclusive, forward-thinking, and highly educated people lead life sciences innovation in Colorado, the Hub for Health Impact. Here, in the center of the United States, the country’s top talent transforms every aspect of health and care. Our community is right-sized for high-growth organizations, with excellent infrastructure, lab and office space, outstanding academic and research institutions, and successful companies at all stages of commercialization. More than 20 life sciences organizations, economic development groups, local governments, developers, and builders joined together in 2024, launching the national economic development campaign to attract high-growth health innovation companies to Colorado. More: coloradohealthimpact.com.
Contacts
Media Contact
Sheliah Reynolds
Primavera Group for Colorado BioScience Association
(720) 289-4739
sheliah@theprimaveragroup.com
