Join us for a timely conversation on economic development and workforce development in the life sciences across the Greater Los Angeles region. As biotech, medtech, and pharma companies expand throughout the region, economic development leaders are playing a critical role in shaping the talent pipelines, infrastructure, and policy environments that will determine where, and how, this growth happens.

This panel brings together senior economic development and industry leaders spanning Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties for a conversation on regional collaboration, workforce development strategies, and the public-private partnerships driving life sciences growth across the region. Whether you're a founder, investor, researcher, or policy professional, this is a great opportunity to hear directly from the people shaping the economic future of life sciences in Greater LA.

Note: Each ticket includes appetizers and two drink tickets.

Program

5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.  Check-in and Networking
6:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Welcome Remarks
6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.  Panel Discussion and Q&A
7:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Networking

Speaker Bios

Estelle Bussa, Deputy Executive Officer for Ventura County

Estelle currently serves as Deputy Executive Officer for Ventura County, leading economic strategy, workforce integration, and enterprise-wide service excellence efforts across 16 agencies and 10,000+ employees. She is a cross-sector strategist and operations leader with 15+ years of experience transforming systems across government, technology, and global retail. Prior to her work in public service, Estelle held operational leadership roles at Atlassian, Patagonia, and adidas, where she built high-impact teams and drove global supply chain, analytics, and customer-success initiatives.

Dan Gober, Executive Director of Biocom Los Angeles, Moderator

As Executive Director of Biocom’s Los Angeles office, Dan is responsible for building the framework for enabling the creation of a strong, well-connected life science community in Los Angeles and neighboring counties. He leads Biocom’s partnering, programming and benefits efforts and helps raise awareness of the region’s resources, innovations and accomplishments. Dan is an industry leader with over 25 years of life science experience. Prior to joining Biocom, he served as executive director of sales and business development at Corval, an organization specializing in streamlining the commercialization process for emerging biopharma companies. Previously, Dan held numerous senior positions leading cross-functional teams in the areas of commercial execution, data management, client services, as well as clinical and regulatory support. In addition, Dan has direct industry experience serving in senior roles at AstraZeneca as well as a startup pharmaceutical organization. 

Karin Koch, Director of Economic Development for the City of Irvine

Karin is an experienced impact leader with a demonstrated history of successfully building and scaling organizations in corporate, public, and nonprofit sectors. Currently, she serves as the first-ever Director of Economic Development for the City of Irvine. Starting her career with a successful entrepreneurial exit in the cosmetics industry, she joined a Fortune 500 company overseeing sales revenue in the West Region, setting sales records across the network. Due to the demands of starting a new family, she transitioned to public service with the County of Orange, first with the Social Services Agency and then into the management of local economic and workforce development programs, overseeing the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2019-2023 and Business Services for the Orange County region. After 11 years of public service, she joined University Lab Partners, the first non-profit life sciences wet-lab incubator/accelerator in Orange County, California, as the Executive Director, where she oversaw growth strategy, acceleration programming, partnerships, fundraising, and commercialization support for over 68 deep-tech startups collectively raising $500M+. After building ULP as an exemplar in the life science innovation community, she launched her own consultancy and advisory practice to assist other ecosystems/organizations to build successful founder economies. Karin has immense experience in assisting private/public/nonprofit organizations to put into practice innovative approaches and strategic initiatives to build and scale regional economic and workforce development activities in high-priority sectors, leveraging nontraditional local, state, and federal funding.

Kelly LoBianco, Director of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity

Kelly is the first Director of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). DEO is the central economic and workforce development agency of LA County. Through a regional strategy and community-centered policy and programs, the department seeks to unlock the vast potential of our local workers and small businesses; drive new, competitive investment that creates quality jobs, career pathways, and diverse talent pipelines; support economic security and mobility for all residents; and collectively build an equitable economy poised for inclusive and sustainable growth. Kelly was appointed Director in July of 2022. She joined the County in 2021 to support the department’s establishment. Prior to DEO, Kelly served as Chief Program Officer for the HOPE Program, a leading New York City-based nonprofit and social enterprise supporting the green economy, Assistant Commissioner for the New York City Department of Small Business Services, and in various roles in local and state government in New York City and in the US Senate in Washington, DC. She earned an MPA from Columbia University and a BA in political science and international relations from Northwestern University.

Brent Reinke, Founder and Chairman of the BioScience Alliance

Brent advises businesses ranging from emerging growth and venture-backed organizations to large corporations with multinational operations. As a 30-year transactional lawyer, hands-on entrepreneur, founder of numerous companies and organizations, and holder of multiple patents, Brent combines exceptional legal experience, business acumen, and real-life business operational perspective. Technology, consumer brands, biotech, life science, sports and outdoors, manufacturing, and aerospace and defense companies rely on Brent's advice throughout the business life cycle. Early-stage high-growth companies often depend on him as their outside general counsel, while clients at all stages benefit from his vast network of contacts, which help them connect with business opportunities and resources. Whether his clients face corporate operations, product development, licensing, mergers, acquisitions, finance, or planning issues, Brent formulates solid strategies to optimize growth potential and avoid problems. Brent is the co-founder of the consumer hydration brand Vapur and the Founder and chairman of the BioScience Alliance, a nonprofit organization providing networking and resource opportunities to the life science community. He is also the founder and chairman of the Gold Coast Executive Forum, a business organization for C-level executives. In 2026, he was selected as one of the 50 Most Influential Individuals in the Central Coast/101 Corridor region by the Pacific Coast Business Times.

Pricing Information

Register by September 8

• Members/Guests: $10
• Non-members*: $30
• Student Non-members*: $10

Register after September 8

• Members/Guests: $20
• Non-members*: $40
• Student Non-members*: $20

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

Maximum Capacity

125

Parking Information

Parking is available at the P2 parking structure (see map). From Vermont Avenue, head west on 220th Street. At the stop sign, turn right on Meyler Street. After the first stop sign, you'll see the entrance to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center P2 Parking Structure on your right. After you've parked, walk west on Medical Center Drive. You'll see the four-story The Lundquist Institute MRL-1 building on your right, and the event will take place inside