Join us for an engaging panel discussion on navigating the transition from the lab to leadership roles in the life science industry. Our panelists will share their insights, experiences, and strategies for success in making this career leap. Whether you are considering a transition or seeking guidance on advancing your career, this event will provide valuable perspectives and practical advice to help you chart your path forward in the dynamic world of life sciences. Don't miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insights and network with professionals who have successfully made the transition to leadership roles beyond the lab bench.

Bring your friends and colleagues, and enjoy the complimentary finger food and non-alcoholic beverages. This event is expected to sell out; please register early. No on-site registrations will be available.

Program

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Check-in and networking
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Panel discussion
7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Q&A and networking

Speaker Bios

Kara Calhoun, PhD, Sr. Vice President of CMC & Process Development at NGMBio, Moderator

Since first learning about the power of genetic engineering to create medicines, Kara has combined interests in math, biology, and engineering into a long-term career in the biotechnology industry.  She has worked in both large and small companies, including Genentech, Merck, and NGMBio, leading teams to manufacture biologic medicines and vaccines for oncology, lung & eye disease, and infectious disease. Some of her favorite accomplishments include achieving record-breaking timelines to submit a new drug application to the FDA, completing simultaneous commercial process tech transfers to multiple global manufacturing sites, creating an innovation labs team, and co-founding a women’s employee resource group. Kara completed her chemical engineering undergraduate degree at Princeton University and her PhD at Stanford University.  She lives in Mountain View with her husband and three children.

Marica Grskovic, PhD, Chief Operating Officer at CareDX

Marica has spent the past two decades building and leading high-performing technology and product development teams. At CareDX, She has held roles of increasing leadership and management responsibilities and is currently accountable for strategy and operational oversight of the Cell Transplant Therapy business unit and Pharma Partnerships. Earlier in her career, She spearheaded the development of AlloSure^Ⓡ , the first analytically and clinically validated cell-free DNA test developed specifically for transplant patients. Prior to CareDX, Marica was a founding scientist at the stem cell-based drug discovery platform technology company iPierian (acquired by BMS), and its spin out, True North Therapeutics (acquired by Bioverativ). She completed her post-doctoral fellowship on gene regulation in stem cells at UC San Francisco and holds a PhD in molecular biology and biochemistry from European Molecular Biology Laboratory and University of Heidelberg, Germany. 

Nidhi Kaul, LCSW, Leadership Coach and Psychotherapist

Nidhi is an executive coach with a background in psychotherapy. She has been coaching professionals in a wide range of industries for over a decade. Using her extensive background in psychotherapy, she enables leaders to develop, motivate, and scale high-performing teams, and to be resilient in the face of challenges. Her clients include startup founders and leaders from companies like Meta, Google, Microsoft, JP Morgan Chase, Tesla, Sony, Netflix, Genentech, Thermo Fisher, Instacart, Clorox, and others. Nidhi helps her clients in cultivating essential leadership skills like clear decision- making, goal setting, emotional intelligence, effective communication, and conflict management. She holds a master's in social welfare from UC Berkeley, a BS in psychology with a minor in human development from UC Davis, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and New Mexico. ​

Estelle Paysinger-Hill, MBA, Director of Nonclinical Project Management at Sangamo Therapeutics

Estelle is the director of Nonclinical Project Management at Sangamo Therapeutics, a genomics medicines company. She uses her combined drug development and project management expertise to build the nonclinical project management function and infrastructure. Prior to joining Sangamo, Estelle was Senior Project Manager of Pharmacological Sciences at BioMarin, where she led the planning and execution of programs from early to late-stage development for the treatment of rare genetic diseases. Estelle began her career as a research specialist at Chiron Corporation. Estelle has a degree in Biological Sciences from UC Davis and a master's in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and a Clinical Research Conduct and Management certification. Estelle is the Pacific Regional Liaison for the Women of Color Affinity Group for the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA). She is also a mentor for the Richmond Promise Mentorship Program. 

Becky Pferdehirt, PhD, Investment Partner at Andreessen Horowitz

Becky is an investing partner on the Bio + Health team at Andreessen Horowitz. She focuses on early-stage companies building technology platforms for therapeutic discovery and development. She is involved in companies like Cartography Bio, Vicinitas Therapeutics, Scribe Therapeutics, BioAge Labs, Genesis Therapeutics, Inceptive, GC Therapeutics, Trotana, Patch Bio, Stipple Bio, and Siduma Therapeutics. Prior to joining Andreessen Horowitz, Becky worked at Amgen, where she led business development efforts for therapeutic platform partnerships. Before moving to BD, Becky was a research scientist at Amgen, focused on cell and gene therapy technology innovation. Becky completed her postdoctoral education at Genentech, studying cancer cell biology and proteomics. She holds a PhD in molecular and cellular biology from UC Berkeley and a BS in biology from MIT.    

Pricing Information

Registration by May 12

• Members: $15
• Non-members*: $30
• Students: $15
• Active Military/Veterans: $15

Registration after May 12

• Members: $25
• Non-members*: $40
• Students: $15
• Active Military/Veterans: $15

*Interested in joining Women In Bio? Click here to learn more about WIB membership and gain access to our video library, mentorship opportunities, 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

100

Parking Information
Free parking is available.

Public Transit Information
Bart to South San Francisco Station
SamTrans Bus 130B to Oyster Point and Eccles Ave
Walk 0.1mi to NGM Bio
https://www.bart.gov/planner
https://www.samtrans.com/routes/130