Join WIB-Los Angeles and Biotech Connection Los Angeles (BCLA) for an evening of high-impact speed networking designed for early-career professionals and graduate students looking to break into the biotech industry. WIB-Los Angeles mentors, from seasoned researchers to industry executives, will share their expertise, answer career questions, and offer invaluable guidance in this fast-paced format. ​During the event, mentees will rotate among mentor “stations”, ensuring exposure to diverse perspectives and advice. After the speed mentoring session, attendees can connect further with mentors and fellow participants over light refreshments. Join us in fostering a supportive community where the next generation of biotech leaders can thrive!

Mentor Bios

Paul-Marie Carfantan, founder of Responsible AI Reading Group

Paul-Marie is the founder and head of the Responsible AI Reading Group. This AI LA initiative brings together professionals, researchers, policymakers, and enthusiasts to foster safe and ethical AI practices via education, advocacy, and networking. Paul-Marie is an Executive Leader in Responsible Innovation with a decade of experience in significant roles at CVS Health, Google AI, Deloitte, and Dataiku.

Wen-Hsuan Chang, Associate Vice President of Discovery and Early Development at AcuraStem

Dr. Chang is the Associate Vice President of Discovery and Early Development at AcuraStem, where she leads the biology team on the NeuroRx® technology platform. Her work focuses on expanding patient-specific disease models, advancing new targets into the preclinical pipeline, and developing oligonucleotide therapeutics. Dr. Chang serves on the advisory board for WIB-Los Angeles, SoCal TBA, and SCMJ. 

Shauna Gerold

Shauna has been part of commercial teams representing cutting-edge technologies such as single-cell and spatial biology, both for transcriptomics and proteomics, most recently serving as director of sales. Shauna originally left the lab to give sales a try for a couple of years… and now she’s enjoyed an almost 30-year career in sales and sales management. She’s sold everything from tips & tubes to large capital equipment, with companies that include NanoString (now part of Bruker Spatial Biology), 10X Genomics, and Akoya Biosciences (now part of Quanterix). Shauna says that if you think you know the typical stereotype of a successful salesperson, you’re probably off the mark! The best actually listen more than they talk.

Sophie Janinet, Consultant at Free Voice 

Sophie is a communication and media consultant. She is passionate about human rights, storytelling, and fostering meaningful connections. With over a decade of experience, she has worked as a journalist, educator, and advocate for gender equality. She co-founded a collective that led impactful campaigns and lobbying efforts for women's rights in France, resulting in law changes. She also co-authored a best-selling book on the invisibilization of women in history. In 2020, she founded Free Voice, a consultancy named for her love of radio, to empower individuals and groups through effective communication guidance.

Neely Kasra, President of Dahlia Consulting

Neely is the President of Dahlia Consulting and the principal consultant. Neely has over 20 years of experience in operational management in the areas of program and project management, business transformation and process improvements, change management, sales, and customer satisfaction. Areas of operational expertise in cell and gene Therapy and biosimilars program management, start-up of manufacturing facilities, global product launch, development of program management offices, quality systems, nonconformance / CAPA management, regulatory inspection preparation, organizational design and restructuring. Neely is distinguished by her ability to lead and facilitate large, complex projects with teams of cross-functional leaders globally.  She has a proven ability to identify areas for development and implement measures to increase efficiency in a rapidly changing environment. ​Prior to Dahlia Consulting, Neely served as the General Manager and Vice President of Operations for four luxury automotive dealerships in Southern California. ​She has substantially increased sales volumes in automobiles, service, and parts sales. In addition, she has been responsible for ensuring compliance with safety, regulatory, and government agencies. As the appointed Human Resource Manager, she designed and established company policies and an employee handbook, developed a recruitment and disciplinary action program, and directed the management and handling of all employee complaints, including legal complaints. ​Neely started her professional career at Amgen in the Laboratories for Quality Assurance. She supervised the design and implementation of Global Nonconformance Management Systems in Manufacturing and held several leadership roles, including Chief of Staff to the VP of Corporate Engineering and Chief of Staff to the VP of Corporate Manufacturing.​ Neely earned a master's in business administration from Pepperdine University and a bachelor's in chemistry from the University of San Diego.​

Stacey Kolar, Associate Director of Pharmacology at Armata Pharmaceuticals

Dr. Kolar is a distinguished scientist and proven leader in microbiology and clinical pharmacology. She earned her PhD in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbiology with a focus on the pathogenesis of Gram-positive bacteria, laying a strong foundation in infectious disease research. As a Postdoctoral Fellow at Cedars-Sinai, she advanced her expertise in immune evasion strategies employed by these pathogens. Stacey brought her deep scientific insight to Armata Pharmaceuticals, an innovator in the fight against antibiotic resistance, where she contributes to the development of cutting-edge bacteriophage therapeutics. Now serving as Director of Clinical Pharmacology, she leads the strategic design of clinical trial endpoints and oversees the execution of trial sample collection and analysis, driving critical decisions that shape the success of Armata’s clinical programs.

Shu Li, CEO and Co-founder of Petri Bio

Dr. Li is the CEO and Co-founder of Petri Bio, a Los Angeles-based biotech startup dedicated to developing innovative solutions to enhance metabolic health and support patients with specialized nutritional needs. With a deep passion for health and longevity, Dr. Li leads Petri Bio’s efforts to optimize nutrient intake and provide precision metabolic solutions. Shu holds a PhD in plant biology and has been actively involved in the biotech startup sector since 2017. Beyond her work at Petri Bio, she is committed to fostering a strong scientific and entrepreneurial community. She serves on the Board of Directors of the National Graduate Women in Science (GWIS), where she works to support and connect scientists in their professional journeys. In her free time, Dr. Li is an advocate for the growth of the local biotech ecosystem. She enjoys mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and scientists, sharing her experiences, and helping others navigate the challenges of bringing scientific innovations to market.

Yeeling Li, Strategic Business Partner at Randstad Life Sciences

Yeeling brings an innovative approach of scientific rigor and business acumen to her role as a Strategic Business Partner at Randstad Life Sciences. With a master's in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and hands-on experience in cell and gene therapy research, she develops impactful talent strategies for clinical projects, partnering with LA's life science companies. Yeeling is passionate about networking and guiding aspiring professionals, providing mentorship to those seeking to thrive at the intersection of science and business.

Mayda Mercado, Principal Consultant at Dahlia Consulting

Mayda is a Principal Consultant Quality & Compliance Operations Executive with over 25 years in Global Biopharmaceutical / Cell & Gene Therapy (CAR-T, Solid tumors, TIL's) with successful record of building and leading Quality organization transformation and change, managing GCP, GMP regulatory inspections/audits, improving processes, and engaging talent to deliver sustainable results in the regulated industry. Provided leadership to Global teams; multiple sites’ manufacturing operations in Quality & Compliance, Quality Control, Validation, analytical and external contract organizations (CDMOs, CMOs, CTLs in the US and EU. Proven ability to drive Quality Culture and continuous improvement. Experienced with manufacturing of Biologics Drug Substances (DS), Active Product Ingredients (API’s), cell & gene therapy, Sterile Products, and analytical laboratories for clinical and commercial operations. Experience overseeing Research & Development, Quality & Compliance; GCP, PV, HTA. Highly proficient in overseeing company start-ups, technology transfer, manufacturing, supply chain, and Quality in support of Biologics and Cell & Gene Therapy. Key expertise areas: Quality leadership, Quality Culture, Quality Management Systems (phase appropriate), microbiology, aseptic processing, cell & gene therapy, environmental monitoring, risk management, electronic quality systems, CMC commercialization, regulatory interaction, inspection coordination, hosting and management, IND's / 483 responses, Warning Letter remediation plans and execution. Recognized skills and expertise in preparing organizations to integrate cross-functional knowledge in support of successful BIMO, GMP, Pre-Approval, Pre-License inspections with health authorities such as FDA, EMA, ANVISA, HC, and others. Known for collaborating to drive sustainable quality and building high-performance quality organization teams that work in an integrated way. Flexible, agile, and strategic thinking leader who translates and articulates the company’s strategic vision into executable plans to deliver short- and long-term results.

Nancy Moses, Principal with Trammell Crow Company

Nancy serves as Principal with Trammell Crow Company, where she leads the commercial and project execution teams within the Los Angeles business unit.  Specializing in client management, Nancy helps occupiers identify and implement real estate solutions and is sought after by clients for her ability to drive decision-making consensus and then convert that shared vision into a turnkey delivery. Nancy has successfully delivered over 1.7 million square feet of developments within the greater Los Angeles area, with more than 500,000 square feet under construction, and 240,000 square feet in the pipeline.  Nancy was recognized as Commercial Property Executive’s Stars to Watch in 2020, a Real Estate Forum’s 2022 Women of Influence, and Connect Media’s Women in Real Estate in 2023.  Notable projects include the Vermont Corridor County Administration building, MLK Medical Office Building, Engemann Student Health Center on the USC Campus, and the USC Keck School of Medicine Soto Health Science Building.

Andrea Niklaus, Senior Director of Global Clinical Development at BridgeBio

Andrea has 15+ years in the biopharma industry in small to big pharma (Abraxis Bioscience/Celgene, JnJ, Merch, Organon, and Bridge Bio) supporting clinical research in a variety of different therapeutic areas (oncology, women’s health, and rare diseases such as hereditary cardiac amyloidosis). Her experience is primarily in R&D roles within Medical Affairs and Clinical Development, supporting drug development, planning, and oversight of pipeline studies.

DeAnna Steiger, Director of Strategic Planning and Operations at Amgen

DeAnna is a seasoned leader in the biopharmaceutical and healthcare industry with experience in diverse entrepreneurial roles. Currently serving as a Director of Strategic Planning and Operations in the Results Delivery Office at Amgen, DeAnna drives company growth through diverse CEO staff-driven initiatives. DeAnna's expertise is in building businesses around scientific discoveries. Her unique cross-functional career path has spanned integrated brand planning and marketing execution, global commercialization strategy, pipeline development, and basic science research in heart failure. In addition to her work on products for patients in multiple therapeutic areas, DeAnna has led teams, departments, and organizations through major integrations and growth-focused transformations. Known for her creativity and drive, DeAnna is often called to lead high-priority innovation projects. DeAnna holds a PhD in molecular, cellular & integrative physiology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a BS in biology from Pacific Lutheran University. She has also completed the Marketing Academy at the Wharton School of Executive Education. In addition to her professional achievements, DeAnna is actively involved in non-profit board service, including serving on the Board of Directors for Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) and is a former President of Programs for the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Pacific Region.

Pricing Information

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

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Maximum Capacity

60