Join us for an insightful discussion with Yvonne Spicer, EdD, Executive Director of Life Science Cares – Boston, on how we demonstrate the breadth of our leadership in the life science industry by giving back. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the impressive work of Life Science Cares and discover opportunities for you and the organizations you lead to contribute to the organization’s mission of combating poverty and inequality in our communities. Attendees will have plenty of opportunities for networking with Dr. Spicer and fellow women leaders in Boston biotech with the option to tour the facility of our sponsor, Catalent.

Refreshments will be served.

Program

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Arrivals and networking
6:30 p.m. – 6:40 p.m.  Welcome / Introduction from EWIB and Catalent
6:40 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Life Science Cares overview by Yvonne Spicer
7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Fireside chat with Yvonne Spicer and Nerissa Kreher
7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Networking and optional tours of Catalent facility

Speaker Bios

Yvonne Spicer, EdD, Executive Director of Life Science Cares Boston

Dr. Spicer provides leadership and oversight of all activities related to fulfilling Life Science Cares' mission and its sustainability in Boston. She is responsible for the overall strategic and operational planning, revenue generation, grantmaking and community investment, financial management, organizational development, staff management, marketing, and public relations. Dr. Spicer is the former Mayor of Framingham, and the first African American woman popularly elected Mayor in Massachusetts. Spicer was sworn into office on January 1, 2018, as the first Mayor of Framingham. She was previously the Vice President for Advocacy and Educational Partnerships at the Museum of Science, Boston. Prior to joining the museum, she served as a teacher and administrator in both Framingham and Newton Public Schools. Spicer was appointed to the inaugural Massachusetts Governor's STEM Advisory Council by Governor Deval Patrick as the co-chair of the council's teacher development committee. She was reappointed in 2017 by Governor Charlie Baker and led the Computer Science and Engineering and Career Pathways committees. She currently serves on the board of the Massachusetts Office of the Treasurer Economic Empowerment Trust Fund, Big Brother Big Sister of MetroWest & Central Massachusetts, Moog Foundation, and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus. Dr. Spicer is a native of Brooklyn, NY but has called Framingham home since 1985. She is a graduate of the State University of New York-Oswego where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts & Technology and a Master of Science in Technology Education. She earned her doctorate in 2004 from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in educational leadership. Dr. Spicer also holds several honorary doctoral degrees as well as numerous awards and honors.

Nerissa Kreher, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer & Independent Director at Rezolute Bio, Moderator

Dr. Kreher is a pediatric endocrinologist with more than 15 years of biotech industry experience in both clinical development and medical affairs. She has spent her career focused on drug development for patients with rare diseases in multiple therapeutic areas. Dr. Kreher is the former Chief Medical Officer of Entrada Therapeutics where she was responsible for clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory, and patient advocacy. Her prior roles include Chief Medical Officer at Tiburio Therapeutics and Avrobio. Earlier in her career, she held roles of increasing responsibility at companies including Zafgen, Enobia (acquired by Alexion), and Genzyme. Dr. Kreher completed her pediatric endocrinology fellowship and pediatric residency at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. She received her MD from East Carolina University School of Medicine and her BS in biology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Pricing Information

• Members: Free
• Non-Members*: $20

*Not a Member? Click here to learn about the benefits of a WIB Membership — access to our video library, mentorship groups, and more. 

Please read WIB's Code of Conduct, In-Person Event Waiver, and Refund Policy

Note: A confirmation email will be sent after registration has been completed. 

Maximum Capacity

30

Parking Information
Free Parking is available onsite. Look for the Catalent sign in front of a black fence. The driveway is immediately to the right of the sign.

Public Transit Information
Catalent Boston sits adjacent to both the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Line (Chelsea stop) and a Silver Line Station (SL3 – Chelsea).

Sponsor

ABOUT CATALENT
With its rich history stemming from its origins with Advanced Inhalation Research (AIR), Alkermes, Civitas, and Acorda Therapeutics, Catalent's Boston site is a worldwide center of excellence in spray drying for oral and inhalation delivery. The property dates back to 1890 when it was the Atwood & McManus Box Factory. The property survived the 1st great Chelsea fire in April of 1908 but was destroyed in the 2nd fire in September of that year. It was subsequently rebuilt in brick and the original signs can still be seen today on the building “ATWOOD & McMANUS / PACKING CASES / BALED SHAVINGS AND SAWDUST.” In the subsequent decades, the site was used for diverse manufacturing industries until it was leased in the year 2000 to Alkermes who had bought the rights to the AIR’s proprietary pulmonary delivery technology. Alkermes expanded the facility as a result of the partnership with Eli Lilly to produce inhaled insulin. The site was later home to Civitas Therapeutics (an Alkermes spin-off) to develop inhaled levodopa for Parkinson's disease. Civitas was purchased by Acorda Therapeutics in 2014 and expanded the building with the world’s largest cGMP spray dryer (PSD-7) in preparation for the launch of Inbrija®, launched in 2019. In February 2021, Catalent purchased this historic site in the world’s largest biotech hub and is committed, along with our partners, to bringing these innovative molecules and treatments to patients worldwide.