Applying for jobs requires a new shift in thinking, as headhunters use LinkedIn and AI tools to find the best candidates for roles. In this panel event, hear from experts on what the future of the job market looks like and how best to optimize your job search in the AI era.

Disclaimer: This event may be recorded, and your image and/or voice may be included in that recording. If you are uncomfortable, please be sure to turn off your webcam.  

Speaker Bios

Dylan DeVore, Sector Head, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals at Real Staffing

Dylan leads Real Life Sciences’ (the Life Sciences brand of Specialist Staffing Group & SThree) US executive search practice. His focus lies within the Scientific Advisory Board, Board of Directors, and CXO searches. Dylan has worked with biotech & pharmaceutical companies spanning various stages of maturity between academic spinouts, venture-backed startups, and publicly traded commercial organizations. Outside of search, Dylan provides clients assistance with market/ talent insights, headcount planning, and venture introduction.

Ava Gallagher, Manager of Recruitment at Scientific Search

Ava is an experienced recruiter with a proven track record in talent acquisition for biotech, pharmaceutical, and life science organizations. Currently serving as Manager of Recruitment at Scientific Search, she specializes in full-cycle recruiting, talent strategy, and client engagement. With over three years at Scientific Search, Ava has successfully placed professionals in critical roles ranging from entry to senior level, ensuring seamless hiring experiences for both candidates and hiring managers. Her background spans executive support in healthcare innovation at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and marketing administration in the performing arts. This diverse expertise enables her to bring a strategic and relationship-driven approach to recruitment. Ava is passionate about connecting top talent with organizations that drive scientific and technological advancement.
 

Kamayani Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Kami Think Tank, Co-moderator

Kamayani is the co-founder of KAMI Think Tank, an AI research organization in the healthcare life sciences. She has been in the life sciences area for the past 14 years and uses data-centric approaches to optimize complex business processes. Over the past decade, she has enjoyed working with new technologies to reduce redundant workflows and biases in the drug discovery to commercialization pipeline. She was one of the first members of Watson for Drug Discovery and the former Head of HCLS R&D at Slalom.
 

Tara Kochis, Founder & CEO of CollectiveMinds

As the founder of CollectiveMinds, Tara brings over 30 years of proven leadership, driving results in executive roles. She has built strong teams, developed a growth-focused approach, and created solutions that benefit individuals and the organizations they serve. Tara has led significant national growth, expanded influence, and left a lasting mark on the life sciences and healthcare sectors. From launching new services to fostering a people-centered culture, she strives for excellence. With over 1,000 successful placements, her work has earned recognition and trust. Tara has helped create top workplaces and consistently delivered results that matter.

Stephanie Oestreich, Managing Director of the Myeloma Investment Fund, Co-moderator

Stephanie is the Managing Director of the Myeloma Investment Fund (MIF) and is the chair of the McCloy Alumni Association. She is also on the faculty of MIT, a member of SpringBoard Ventures, an advisor at grIP Venture Studio to Biognosys (a Bruker company), Invitris, CART company CelineTx, and the drug development and investment company OrangeGrove, Bio. Previously, she was Chief Business Officer at Galecto, Vice President at cell therapy company Mnemo Therapeutics, a Venture Partner at RA Capital, and Executive Vice President at Evotec, where she built its North American investment arm and started an incubator with Samsara BioCapital. She also worked as an international business leader at F. Roche Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and for Novartis in business development and commercial. Stephanie conducted the research for her PhD in biochemistry in the lab of a Nobel Prize winner at Harvard Medical School and obtained an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Kris Steen, Managing Partner at Stevenson Search Partners

Kris joined Stevenson in 2015, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in life sciences executive search to the team. She partners with clients ranging from Pre-Series A ventures to commercial stage companies recruiting C-Level executives, as well as building teams across multiple functional areas from R&D to commercial. Kris also leads Stevenson's Board Advisory Practice, appointing Independent Directors and advising early-stage companies on building an effective Board. In addition to expert client work, she chairs Stevenson’s DE&I Initiative and partners with Women In Bio’s (WIB) Boardroom Ready Program to increase gender diversity across the industry. Kris is also a Limited Partner in How Women Invest Fund II, a women-led venture firm that invests solely in women founders. Before Stevenson, Kris built and led the US-based business for a European Life Sciences executive search firm. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Philadelphia University and is an active member of WIB, HBA, Athena Alliance, MedTech Women, and the non-profit organization Back on My Feet. Kris spends her evenings navigating her love/hate relationship with her peloton, her weekends cheering on the sidelines of her son’s soccer games, and her holidays exploring sunny beaches with her family.

Matt Vossler, Managing Director at Diversified Search Group

Matt is a managing director at DSG Global, serving clients in the life sciences and healthcare services practice. He has completed CEO, CFO, CMO, Board, and other leadership searches within commercial, R&D, and technical operations focusing on pharma/biotech, VC/PE backed companies and in the nonprofit sector, including hospitals, universities, and independent research institutes. Matt was a founding partner of Heritage Partners International and was associated with a number of other search firms, including Heidrick & Struggles. Before entering executive search, he served as President of Home Buyers Assistance Corporation, a pioneer in employee relocation, recruitment, and retention services. In 1987, Matt co-founded Swim Across America Inc., a nonprofit organization raising funds for cancer research through hundreds of open-water swimming and pool events; he currently serves on the Board of Directors. Swim Across America has raised more than $140 million, primarily benefiting Memorial Sloan Kettering, Weill Cornell, Cold Spring Harbor, UCSF, Mass General, Johns Hopkins, Fred Hutch, Moffit, and MD Anderson.

Pricing Information

• Members/Guests: Free
• Non-Members*: $10

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