Join us for our 11th Annual Lobster Pot Pitch Event! As the name suggests, this event will be “shark tank style,” with each fundraising executive pitching to investors (VCs) and the audience. The investors will provide feedback on the pitch and comment on the ideas presented. Join us to learn how to pitch to investors more effectively and check out some exciting new companies in the life sciences space. Don't miss this event if you are starting your own company, raising money, or want to celebrate powerful women.

Each ticket includes one drink ticket.

Program

4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.  Registration/Networking
5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Pitch Presentations
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Networking/Cocktail Hour

VCs

Jenna Aronson, Principal at Two Bear Capital

Jenna is a Principal at Two Bear Capital, where she sources, diligences, and leads investments in innovative life sciences therapeutics companies. She serves as a board observer for Montara Therapeutics and Abilita Therapeutics. Prior to joining TBC, she was a researcher in the Genetics & Aging Research Unit of the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, working under Dr. Rudy Tanzi to develop 3D human neural stem cell models of Alzheimer’s disease. She completed her PhD in brain and cognitive sciences at MIT, advised by Dr. Ed Boyden in The McGovern Institute for Brain Research, where she developed biotechnology platforms for enhanced resolution in clinical samples, including brain tissue and liquid biopsies, with applications in cancer and neurodegeneration. Her doctoral training was supported by fellowships from the Singleton Foundation, Koch Institute, and the Center for Neurobiological Engineering, and during graduate school, she completed coursework and served on the teaching team at the MIT Sloan School of Management. When she’s not working with founders, Jenna enjoys exploring new places, experimenting in the kitchen, and finding time for skiing or sailing.

Lauren Mifflin, Principal of Company Creation at Frazier Life Sciences

Lauren is a Principal of Company Creation at Frazier Life Sciences, where she is currently building NewCos in immunology, neuroscience, and rare diseases. Previously, Lauren co-founded and built several biotech companies working with 82VS/Alloy Therapeutics and 5AM Ventures focused on developing treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and rare diseases. Early in her career, she was a health tech investor with Jump Capital and a management consultant with Monitor Group. Lauren completed her PhD at Harvard Medical School, where she worked with Dr. Junying Yuan on RIPK1 inhibitors for neurodegenerative diseases. She is passionate about developing new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and serves as a grant reviewer for the ALS Association, Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.

Marian Nakada, PhD, Life Science Advisor

Marian is a life science veteran and corporate venture investor with over 30 years of experience translating scientific innovations to the clinic. As a former VP, Venture Investments at Johnson & Johnson’s corporate venture group, JJDC, she identified and invested in promising life science companies that were strategically aligned with the goals of Johnson & Johnson. Her career spans the entire spectrum of R&D, from hands-on laboratory science and research leadership to business development and corporate venture capital, giving her a broad perspective on innovation, strategy, and value creation. During her almost 13-year tenure at JJDC, she executed >30 strategic investments in private life science companies, where she actively served on their boards to guide their progress. Her work began at the lab bench at Centocor, where she later transitioned into leadership roles before Centocor’s acquisition by Johnson & Johnson. She subsequently moved into business development before joining JJDC in 2013. As a Board member, advocate, and mentor for Venture Forward (a non-profit created by the National Venture Capital Association), Marian is inspired by mentoring aspiring VC talent. Marian has an AB in biology from Harvard and a PhD in pharmacology from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Stella Paffenholz, Senior Associate at Atlas Venture

Stella is a Senior Associate at Atlas Venture, where she builds and invests in early-stage companies translating innovative biology into new therapies. Prior to joining Atlas, Stella was a Principal on the investment team at Nextech Invest, where she invested across the lifecycle from early-stage Series A companies through the public markets and served as a board observer for multiple portfolio companies, including Tubulis and Delphia Therapeutics. Earlier in her career, she gained experience across strategy, venture building, and pharmaceutical operations through roles at McKinsey & Company, Apollo Health Ventures, and Merck KGaA. Stella earned her PhD at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in the lab of Scott Lowe, where her research focused on genetic determinants of cancer treatment response. Her doctoral work was supported by the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. During her PhD, she served as President of the Tri-Institutional Biotech Club and now advises the MSKCC start-up incubator. She received her Master of Science from the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg and her Bachelor of Science from the University of Bonn. Outside of work, Stella can be found running, cycling, or swimming while training for her next endurance race, ideally followed by refueling at a German-style bakery. She also enjoys traveling, often centered around hiking and backpacking, and has explored all seven continents. 

Pricing Information

• Members/Guests: $50

• Non-members*: $85

*Not a Member? Click here to purchase a WIB membership and gain access to our video library, mentorship opportunities, and more. 

Please read WIB's Code of Conduct and Refund Policy.

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

Parking Information

Parking is available on site.

Public Transit Information

Alewife Station (Red line) is a 5-minute walk from the venue.