BOARD OF DIRECTORS – BIOS
We are here to educate, support, empower and advocate for you.
Lisa Tompkins Brown
Ms. Tompkins-Brown possesses over 30 years of experience across the healthcare spectrum including over 30 years supporting the Federal Government in many areas of national significance. She currently serves as the Vice President, Strategy and Growth for Tenacity Solutions, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business founded by her husband, Gabe Brown, a 30-year Navy Veteran, where she focuses efforts on healthcare delivery optimization and business solutions that advance healthcare outcomes for specialized and vulnerable populations. Throughout her career, Ms. Tompkins-Brown has provided strategic guidance to 24 Federal Agencies, several private sector companies and organizations, and the State of Maryland. Further, she has served as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lead to creating 11 programs in 12 months.
Ms. Tompkins-Brown is dedicated to volunteer service. She has served on the George Washington University Hospital Women’s Board since 2001 and has held numerous positions including President (2x), Vice President, Treasurer, and Education Chairperson. She also led the incorporation of the Women’s Board and currently serves on their Board of Directors. Ms. Tompkins-Brown is a proud member of The Links, Incorporated, serving on the Technology Committee and National Trends and Services for the Silver Spring, MD Chapter. Ms. Tompkins-Brown is also an advocate for the March of Dimes and in 2011 won the March of Dimes Heroines of Washington Award for her dedication to volunteer service. Further, Ms. Tompkins-Brown serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Montgomery County, MD.
Ms. Tompkins-Brown served as an Adjunct Professor at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences teaching and Leading the Health Care Enterprise and Health Informatics. Ms. Tompkins-Brown holds an MBA and an MHA. She has presented at numerous conferences locally, nationally, and internationally. Based on her leadership characteristics and her contributions to advancing health care for all, the United States Navy awarded Ms. Tompkins-Brown as an honorary Ensign in the Medical Service Corp- an honor rarely given to civilians.
Ms. Tompkins-Brown is dedicated to volunteer service. She has served on the George Washington University Hospital Women’s Board since 2001 and has held numerous positions including President (2x), Vice President, Treasurer, and Education Chairperson. She also led the incorporation of the Women’s Board and currently serves on their Board of Directors. Ms. Tompkins-Brown is a proud member of The Links, Incorporated, serving on the Technology Committee and National Trends and Services for the Silver Spring, MD Chapter. Ms. Tompkins-Brown is also an advocate for the March of Dimes and in 2011 won the March of Dimes Heroines of Washington Award for her dedication to volunteer service. Further, Ms. Tompkins-Brown serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Montgomery County, MD.
Ms. Tompkins-Brown served as an Adjunct Professor at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences teaching and Leading the Health Care Enterprise and Health Informatics. Ms. Tompkins-Brown holds an MBA and an MHA. She has presented at numerous conferences locally, nationally, and internationally. Based on her leadership characteristics and her contributions to advancing health care for all, the United States Navy awarded Ms. Tompkins-Brown as an honorary Ensign in the Medical Service Corp- an honor rarely given to civilians.
Irene Dankwa-Mullan, MD
Irene Dankwa-Mullan MD MPH, is Chief Health Equity Officer & Deputy Chief Health Officer
Merative (formerly IBM Watson Health).
Dr. Irene Dankwa-Mullan is a nationally recognized industry physician and scientist, health equity thought leader, scholar, and author with over 20 years of diverse regional, national, and global leadership experience in primary care, healthcare systems, businesses, and the community. She is Chief Health Equity Officer and Deputy Chief Health Officer at Merative, formerly IBM Watson Health. IBM created Watson Health, bringing together technologies, data, and analytics, that would ultimately make up Merative.
Dr. Dankwa-Mullan was a member of the IBM Industry Academy, a selected community of pre-eminent leaders to drive innovation and engage in cutting-edge work for the industry. She was formerly Director of the Office of Research Innovation and Program Coordination, and Deputy Director for extramural scientific programs at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH. While at the NIH, she was an active member of many key strategic boards and committees, including many that were cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary. She helped launched the transformational research agenda at the NIH to advance the science of health disparities research in a deliberate and inclusive engagement process involving the NIH, community partners, and the broader scientific community. Dr. Dankwa-Mullan is the lead scientific editor of the first authoritative resource textbook ‘The Science of Health Disparities Research’ designed to help researchers and the health community identify research questions, design, and conduct studies with culturally appropriate interventions, and advance the science while proposing solutions and promote health equity. She currently co-chairs the Patient-centered Primary Care Coalition project to translate primary care research and evidence into action for the community of primary care clinicians, researchers, payers, and policymakers. She also serves on the National Quality Forum’s Health Equity Advisory Group to help provide input on measurement issues impacting health disparities and critical access hospitals.
She has published widely on health disparities science, and the evaluation of AI and machine learning technologies, including the integration of health equity, ethical AI, and social justice principles into the AI-ML development lifecycle.
She serves in advisory roles on several non-profit organizations and enjoys gardening, mentoring, and traveling.
Dr. Irene Dankwa-Mullan is a nationally recognized industry physician and scientist, health equity thought leader, scholar, and author with over 20 years of diverse regional, national, and global leadership experience in primary care, healthcare systems, businesses, and the community. She is Chief Health Equity Officer and Deputy Chief Health Officer at Merative, formerly IBM Watson Health. IBM created Watson Health, bringing together technologies, data, and analytics, that would ultimately make up Merative.
Dr. Dankwa-Mullan was a member of the IBM Industry Academy, a selected community of pre-eminent leaders to drive innovation and engage in cutting-edge work for the industry. She was formerly Director of the Office of Research Innovation and Program Coordination, and Deputy Director for extramural scientific programs at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH. While at the NIH, she was an active member of many key strategic boards and committees, including many that were cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary. She helped launched the transformational research agenda at the NIH to advance the science of health disparities research in a deliberate and inclusive engagement process involving the NIH, community partners, and the broader scientific community. Dr. Dankwa-Mullan is the lead scientific editor of the first authoritative resource textbook ‘The Science of Health Disparities Research’ designed to help researchers and the health community identify research questions, design, and conduct studies with culturally appropriate interventions, and advance the science while proposing solutions and promote health equity. She currently co-chairs the Patient-centered Primary Care Coalition project to translate primary care research and evidence into action for the community of primary care clinicians, researchers, payers, and policymakers. She also serves on the National Quality Forum’s Health Equity Advisory Group to help provide input on measurement issues impacting health disparities and critical access hospitals.
She has published widely on health disparities science, and the evaluation of AI and machine learning technologies, including the integration of health equity, ethical AI, and social justice principles into the AI-ML development lifecycle.
She serves in advisory roles on several non-profit organizations and enjoys gardening, mentoring, and traveling.
Carol A. Barbe
Carol Barbe is the President and CEO of Backflow Technology, LLC, a family owned, and operated company located in Ashburn, VA for over 26 years serving the DMV area, and the premier leader in backflow prevention and cross connection control. Backflow Technology works to ensure your family is safe by protecting your drinking water from contamination.
Carol has over 35 years of experience in the private sector specializing in business management, corporate and criminal law, human resources, commercial property management, and has held a senior level position for a prominent nonprofit. Carol’s extensive background and can-do attitude has empowered her to navigate and succeed in a male-dominated industry.
Carol is known for and committed to serving those in the community in which she lives. She is passionate about giving back, volunteering countless hours, and is always striving to make a positive difference. Carol is a transformational leader who inspires and creates positive change, putting people first while being a visionary force within her business and in her community leadership roles.
Carol is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors for Loudoun Hunger Relief (largest food pantry in Loudoun County); Vice President/Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Tigerlily Foundation; Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Loudoun Coalition on Women and Girls; Chair for the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross National Capital Area Chapter; and is also a proud member of 100WomenStrong of Loudoun County, VA.
Carol is a 14-year survivor of breast cancer. She was diligent in maintaining her breast health for years. In 2009, she found a lump in her breast and went for a mammogram, however the lump didn’t show on the mammogram. She insisted on an ultrasound of the lump while she was at the radiology office and was told by the radiologist it wasn’t a concern, however to her it certainly was. While just knowing something wasn’t right, she immediately contacted her breast health doctor/surgeon who saw her that day and biopsied the lump. Shortly thereafter, Carol received the results and words no one ever wants to hear “you have breast cancer.” For Carol, having a positive attitude, being her own advocate and never giving up hope was the outlook for her during her treatment journey and beyond. She proudly serves on the Tigerlily Foundation board advocating for young women before, during and after breast cancer.
Carol has lived in Loudoun County since 1984 and resides in Ashburn with her husband Phil who is also a cancer survivor and is a proud mom to her pride and joy 21-year-old son Philip who is a Senior at the University of Tennessee.
Carol has over 35 years of experience in the private sector specializing in business management, corporate and criminal law, human resources, commercial property management, and has held a senior level position for a prominent nonprofit. Carol’s extensive background and can-do attitude has empowered her to navigate and succeed in a male-dominated industry.
Carol is known for and committed to serving those in the community in which she lives. She is passionate about giving back, volunteering countless hours, and is always striving to make a positive difference. Carol is a transformational leader who inspires and creates positive change, putting people first while being a visionary force within her business and in her community leadership roles.
Carol is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors for Loudoun Hunger Relief (largest food pantry in Loudoun County); Vice President/Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Tigerlily Foundation; Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Loudoun Coalition on Women and Girls; Chair for the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross National Capital Area Chapter; and is also a proud member of 100WomenStrong of Loudoun County, VA.
Carol is a 14-year survivor of breast cancer. She was diligent in maintaining her breast health for years. In 2009, she found a lump in her breast and went for a mammogram, however the lump didn’t show on the mammogram. She insisted on an ultrasound of the lump while she was at the radiology office and was told by the radiologist it wasn’t a concern, however to her it certainly was. While just knowing something wasn’t right, she immediately contacted her breast health doctor/surgeon who saw her that day and biopsied the lump. Shortly thereafter, Carol received the results and words no one ever wants to hear “you have breast cancer.” For Carol, having a positive attitude, being her own advocate and never giving up hope was the outlook for her during her treatment journey and beyond. She proudly serves on the Tigerlily Foundation board advocating for young women before, during and after breast cancer.
Carol has lived in Loudoun County since 1984 and resides in Ashburn with her husband Phil who is also a cancer survivor and is a proud mom to her pride and joy 21-year-old son Philip who is a Senior at the University of Tennessee.
Jackie Kent
Jackie Kent is a pharmaceutical development executive, healthcare technology executive, board director, and trusted advisor with a passion for clinical research where innovative technology works together with research sites and patients ensuring access to clinical trials for all patients. Jackie has over 30 years of experience in pharma and technology, recently retiring as the Chief Customer Officer at Medidata Solutions and continuing her use of her experience and passion through boards, advisory, and consulting.
Jackie is a change leader and advocate, deeply knowledgeable about the dynamics of diverse healthcare systems, and builds collaborative relationships to deliver quality outcomes. Jackie has comprehensive knowledge of clinical development, healthcare technology, trial design, execution and clinical trial supplies, quality, and manufacturing.
In 2022, Jackie serves as chair of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO). She also serves as a board director for Circuit Clinical.
Jackie recently accepted a role with the Society of Clinical Research Sites (SCRS). In this role, she will have the opportunity to provide leadership to a global organization that unifies the voice of the clinical research site community to create greater site sustainability.
Jackie spent over 4 years at Medidata where she created the Customer Success organization at Medidata, which is laser-focused on ensuring the delivery of a positive experience for customers along every step of their journey with the company. The CS organization uses a cross-functional customer strategy to ensure that the voice of the customer is infused throughout the organization, delivering value through innovative solutions meeting the most important needs of the industry and patients. Prior to that, she was the Chief Product Officer, in both roles reporting directly to the CEO and on the executive committee.
Jackie retired from Eli Lilly after 29 years, starting with technical IT roles and moving into leadership roles across Clinical Development, including leading organizations accountable for feasibility, recruitment/retention, site selection, clinical operations, CT supply planning, medical quality, and global audit.
Her recent honors include PharmaVoice 100, PM360 Elite Strategist, and HBA Luminary recipient.
Jackie is a change leader and advocate, deeply knowledgeable about the dynamics of diverse healthcare systems, and builds collaborative relationships to deliver quality outcomes. Jackie has comprehensive knowledge of clinical development, healthcare technology, trial design, execution and clinical trial supplies, quality, and manufacturing.
In 2022, Jackie serves as chair of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO). She also serves as a board director for Circuit Clinical.
Jackie recently accepted a role with the Society of Clinical Research Sites (SCRS). In this role, she will have the opportunity to provide leadership to a global organization that unifies the voice of the clinical research site community to create greater site sustainability.
Jackie spent over 4 years at Medidata where she created the Customer Success organization at Medidata, which is laser-focused on ensuring the delivery of a positive experience for customers along every step of their journey with the company. The CS organization uses a cross-functional customer strategy to ensure that the voice of the customer is infused throughout the organization, delivering value through innovative solutions meeting the most important needs of the industry and patients. Prior to that, she was the Chief Product Officer, in both roles reporting directly to the CEO and on the executive committee.
Jackie retired from Eli Lilly after 29 years, starting with technical IT roles and moving into leadership roles across Clinical Development, including leading organizations accountable for feasibility, recruitment/retention, site selection, clinical operations, CT supply planning, medical quality, and global audit.
Her recent honors include PharmaVoice 100, PM360 Elite Strategist, and HBA Luminary recipient.
Mary Lewis
Mary Lewis, Strategic Communications Professional & Counselor Advocate, and Change Maker is a seasoned public relations and communications strategist with nearly two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, advocacy, and consumer health industries. She has held multiple positions as an executive-level public relations and communications strategist, counselor, and leader for franchise brands at top firms within the pharmaceutical and biotech spaces. She has launched several award-winning disease awareness initiatives, and viral cause campaigns and is adept at managing high-profile/celebrity partnerships and top-tier media relationships. Mary is particularly well-versed in advocacy relations and managing communications and corporate reputation through large-scale crises, including multidistrict and class action litigation and federal investigations.
On a personal note, Mary is a two-time cancer survivor, having first been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease at only 16 years old. After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, she achieved remission and was enrolled in the Survivors Facing Forward program through Cohen Children’s Medical Center (a Northwell Health group) on Long Island, NY. This program guided her through the steps to take as an adult survivor, facing new longer-term health risks associated with her treatment, including beginning breast cancer screenings in her early 20s. Despite annual mammograms and MRIs, at age 33 she was diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer, underwent a double mastectomy, and continued with hormone therapy.
Mary has cultivated strong personal relationships with medical professionals, fellow advocates, and top influencers in the breast cancer and young cancer survivor communities. Her personal experience as a life-long survivor has contributed valuably to her professional endeavors. Always a passionate writer, in 2016 she launched a successful blog, Tougher Than TWOmurs, to help inform and educate others. Mary is based in Los Angeles, California.
On a personal note, Mary is a two-time cancer survivor, having first been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease at only 16 years old. After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, she achieved remission and was enrolled in the Survivors Facing Forward program through Cohen Children’s Medical Center (a Northwell Health group) on Long Island, NY. This program guided her through the steps to take as an adult survivor, facing new longer-term health risks associated with her treatment, including beginning breast cancer screenings in her early 20s. Despite annual mammograms and MRIs, at age 33 she was diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer, underwent a double mastectomy, and continued with hormone therapy.
Mary has cultivated strong personal relationships with medical professionals, fellow advocates, and top influencers in the breast cancer and young cancer survivor communities. Her personal experience as a life-long survivor has contributed valuably to her professional endeavors. Always a passionate writer, in 2016 she launched a successful blog, Tougher Than TWOmurs, to help inform and educate others. Mary is based in Los Angeles, California.
Jerrica Mathis
Jerrica Mathis leads the Federal Government Relations team as Cardinal Health’s Director of Government Relations. Prior to joining Cardinal Health, Jerrica was a director in Crowell & Moring’s Government Affairs Group. Based in their Washington, D.C. office, she assisted corporate, trade associations, and individual clients with legislative and regulatory advocacy and strategies before Congress and federal agencies.
Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Jerrica served as a senior government relations manager at a boutique lobbying shop, where she provided government relations support to healthcare clients, including global health, non-profit patient advocacy, and health professional organizations. She has also served as a project director at the Society for Public Health Education and as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Health Policy Fellow. During her time as a fellow, Jerrica worked on policy issues related to improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities, as well as labor and employer issues, on the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Education and Labor and with the office of Representative Donna L. Christensen. Before coming to Washington, D.C., she served in the role of providing technical assistance to state health department chronic disease programs with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors in Atlanta, GA.
Jerrica is a former recipient of the Congressional Staff Leadership Award at CBC Health Braintrust and is a member of the Congressional Black Associates. She holds an M.S. in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a B.S. in health science from Georgia Southern University.
Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Jerrica served as a senior government relations manager at a boutique lobbying shop, where she provided government relations support to healthcare clients, including global health, non-profit patient advocacy, and health professional organizations. She has also served as a project director at the Society for Public Health Education and as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Health Policy Fellow. During her time as a fellow, Jerrica worked on policy issues related to improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities, as well as labor and employer issues, on the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Education and Labor and with the office of Representative Donna L. Christensen. Before coming to Washington, D.C., she served in the role of providing technical assistance to state health department chronic disease programs with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors in Atlanta, GA.
Jerrica is a former recipient of the Congressional Staff Leadership Award at CBC Health Braintrust and is a member of the Congressional Black Associates. She holds an M.S. in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a B.S. in health science from Georgia Southern University.
Dr. Yara Robertson
Yara V. Robertson, M.D. is a fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist and is board certified in general surgery. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Robertson is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and completed her medical school at Quillen College of Medicine (East Tennessee State University). After finishing her general surgery residency at UAMS, she completed a fellowship in Diseases of the Breast at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS. In 2011, she moved to Atlanta, GA, and spent 9 years in a private breast surgical oncology practice. In 2020, she was recruited back to Little Rock, AR, and joined CARTI Cancer Center where she currently serves as Chief of Surgery.
She has served as Vice-Chairman of the Atlanta-based organization Sisters by Choice (SBC), a non-profit organization that provides support for women diagnosed with breast cancer, educates on breast health, and provides free breast health screenings to uninsured women. Due to her work with SBC, she has received congressional recognition from Georgia Congressman David Scott. She currently serves as an advisor for Not Putting on a Shirt, which is a national non-profit organization that advocates for optimal surgical outcomes for women who choose to go flat after mastectomy. She also serves in an advisory role for the organization Learn Look Locate which provides education and advocacy for the early detection of breast cancer. She serves as a board member for the Arkansas Cancer Coalition.
As a kidney cancer survivor herself, Dr. Robertson is fully aware of the importance of the patient’s role in shared decision-making and advocates for patient-centered care.
She has served as Vice-Chairman of the Atlanta-based organization Sisters by Choice (SBC), a non-profit organization that provides support for women diagnosed with breast cancer, educates on breast health, and provides free breast health screenings to uninsured women. Due to her work with SBC, she has received congressional recognition from Georgia Congressman David Scott. She currently serves as an advisor for Not Putting on a Shirt, which is a national non-profit organization that advocates for optimal surgical outcomes for women who choose to go flat after mastectomy. She also serves in an advisory role for the organization Learn Look Locate which provides education and advocacy for the early detection of breast cancer. She serves as a board member for the Arkansas Cancer Coalition.
As a kidney cancer survivor herself, Dr. Robertson is fully aware of the importance of the patient’s role in shared decision-making and advocates for patient-centered care.
Fatima Scipione
Fatima Scipione is Senior Vice President, Strategic Alliances and External Affairs
International Myeloma Foundation. Fatima is passionate about elevating the patient voice on a global scale.
She believes that understanding patient experiences and challenges is essential to speeding up the development of life-changing medicines. Further, she advocates in support of patients gaining the skills, courage, and knowledge to navigate through a cancer diagnosis, to make informed decisions, and to ensure they can advocate for and achieve the best care possible.
This fierce passion and commitment to putting the needs of patients first are evident in her decades-long career where she is recognized as an influential global advocate and thought leader focused on patient-centered research, policy, access, and regulatory impact.
She has held multiple senior management positions in healthcare and is a respected member of the biopharma and cancer communities. Fatima has contributed to numerous publications in partnership with the advocacy community and key academic researchers to advance patient-centered care, as well as being included in the PharmaVOICE 100 in 2014 and receiving the Trailblazer Brand Champion Award from PM3670 in 2015
She believes that understanding patient experiences and challenges is essential to speeding up the development of life-changing medicines. Further, she advocates in support of patients gaining the skills, courage, and knowledge to navigate through a cancer diagnosis, to make informed decisions, and to ensure they can advocate for and achieve the best care possible.
This fierce passion and commitment to putting the needs of patients first are evident in her decades-long career where she is recognized as an influential global advocate and thought leader focused on patient-centered research, policy, access, and regulatory impact.
She has held multiple senior management positions in healthcare and is a respected member of the biopharma and cancer communities. Fatima has contributed to numerous publications in partnership with the advocacy community and key academic researchers to advance patient-centered care, as well as being included in the PharmaVOICE 100 in 2014 and receiving the Trailblazer Brand Champion Award from PM3670 in 2015
Dr. Aditi Hazra
Aditi Hazra, Ph.D., MPH advances health equity through inclusive research, teaching, mentoring, and advocacy. She completed her Ph.D. in cancer biology from The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX; top-ranked comprehensive cancer center), a post-doctoral fellowship in genetic epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Boston, MA), and obtained certificates in leadership at Harvard Business School, and community cancer genetics at the City of Hope (Duarte/Los Angeles, CA). She is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and VA Boston. She leads cancer multi-omic research and identified genetic variants, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), and tumor markers associated with cancer. Dr. Hazra’s American Cancer Society (ACS) Research Scholar Grant’s goals are to improve risk stratification and precision management of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) by integrating RNA sequencing data with social determinants of health in diverse patients. The long-term vision of this “precision health equity” research is to prevent DCIS progression to invasive breast cancer.
Dr. Hazra trained as an EMT and served as the student director of the H.O.M.E.S. Clinic and was the founder of PinkSari. In 2021, she launched STARS (Strength Training And Research for Survivorship; Instagram @starsexercise) Exercise to offer free Strength Classes and cancer survivorship education with a focus on BIPOC women (supported by Athleta’s Power of She Fund). Dr. Hazra serves on the Executive Leadership Committee for the ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement, on the Board of Tiger Lily Foundation, Cancer Champions, and served as a panelist for the Athena Division’s “Operation Breast Health” event for military servicemembers and women Veterans.
Dr. Hazra trained as an EMT and served as the student director of the H.O.M.E.S. Clinic and was the founder of PinkSari. In 2021, she launched STARS (Strength Training And Research for Survivorship; Instagram @starsexercise) Exercise to offer free Strength Classes and cancer survivorship education with a focus on BIPOC women (supported by Athleta’s Power of She Fund). Dr. Hazra serves on the Executive Leadership Committee for the ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement, on the Board of Tiger Lily Foundation, Cancer Champions, and served as a panelist for the Athena Division’s “Operation Breast Health” event for military servicemembers and women Veterans.
Emily Poe
Emily POE, Group President & Chief Strategy Officer of Integrated Marketing Communications at Real Chemistry, is personally passionate about breast cancer – having been the caregiver for her mother who ultimately passed away from the disease. She is currently supporting her father in his fight against Stage 4 colon cancer.
Professionally, Emily brings more than two decades of healthcare and scientific communications to Real Chemistry. Her expertise spans US, global, corporate, and product communications, social media, advocacy relations, and digital marketing initiatives that help clients achieve their business objectives. Emily has extensive experience working across the healthcare industry, with deep experience in many conditions including cancer.
In her current role, Emily oversees much of Real Chemistry’s communications client portfolio and also helps lead the strategic growth of the Integrated Marketing Communications unit at Real Chemistry. Emily teams with senior leaders to strategically bring together Real Chemistry’s integrated services to create unique and impactful solutions across Real Chemistry’s healthcare communications clients. One area of focus is applying Real Chemistry’s differentiated AI platform to help inform strategies, support communication ideation, and how and where to best reach priority audiences – particularly those who have been historically underrepresented in health care.
Prior to her position at Real Chemistry, Emily was Executive Vice President for the Healthcare practice at Cohn & Wolfe. She has also held leadership positions at Euro RSCG Life PR and Noonan Russo Communications.
Emily began her career as an Assistant Editor at Nature Publishing Group. She has a degree in biological sciences from Cornell University, where she published a paper on the genetic implications of insect neurobehavior in the journal Nature.
Professionally, Emily brings more than two decades of healthcare and scientific communications to Real Chemistry. Her expertise spans US, global, corporate, and product communications, social media, advocacy relations, and digital marketing initiatives that help clients achieve their business objectives. Emily has extensive experience working across the healthcare industry, with deep experience in many conditions including cancer.
In her current role, Emily oversees much of Real Chemistry’s communications client portfolio and also helps lead the strategic growth of the Integrated Marketing Communications unit at Real Chemistry. Emily teams with senior leaders to strategically bring together Real Chemistry’s integrated services to create unique and impactful solutions across Real Chemistry’s healthcare communications clients. One area of focus is applying Real Chemistry’s differentiated AI platform to help inform strategies, support communication ideation, and how and where to best reach priority audiences – particularly those who have been historically underrepresented in health care.
Prior to her position at Real Chemistry, Emily was Executive Vice President for the Healthcare practice at Cohn & Wolfe. She has also held leadership positions at Euro RSCG Life PR and Noonan Russo Communications.
Emily began her career as an Assistant Editor at Nature Publishing Group. She has a degree in biological sciences from Cornell University, where she published a paper on the genetic implications of insect neurobehavior in the journal Nature.
Fazila Seker
Fazila Seker, MedTech Executive, and Cofounder of MOLLI Surgical is passionate about simplifying health care to get us back to what it was meant to be about – helping patients. Inspired by a patient who wanted to see a less invasive, better experience for breast cancer surgery, she co-founded MOLLI Surgical, an award-winning Canadian company that develops devices to guide precision surgeries for a better patient experience. She is the co-creator and former host of MOLLI Surgical’s weekly Facebook Live show called “Breast Practices” where experts and patients discuss topics in patient-centered care. Fazila is a frequent author and blogger on issues in women’s health and social disparity issues within health care.
Over twenty years, Fazila has nurtured new technologies through the commercialization process in Canada and the U.S. by building teams, raising growth funds, and bringing people together for impact in healthcare, energy, and specialty materials sectors. She served as Program Leader for General Electric’s Global Research Center in Niskayuna, NY; Director of Technology and Venture Development for MaRS Innovation, a technology incubator in Toronto, Canada; and as President & CEO of MOLLI Surgical (2018–22).
At GE, she created and launched the corporate nanotechnology program and was recognized with the GE Management Award for exceptional leadership.
At MaRS Innovation, Fazila developed a diverse portfolio of medical device opportunities with a special focus in Ultrasound and Breast Cancer. Fazila also co-produced a crowdfunding campaign to promote a new medical device for monitoring breast cancer treatment. That work won national recognition in the Globe and Mail’s Top 10 Canadian crowdfunding list. While at MaRS, Fazila met her MOLLI Surgical cofounders and raised financing to launch the company in 2018.
As CEO, Fazila led MOLLI Surgical through FDA and Health Canada clearance of the company’s flagship breast cancer surgery product and established sales and clinical operations in the U.S. and Canada, allowing patients to benefit from the company’s medical technology. The product has been adopted at some of the world’s top hospitals like Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada, and The Christ Hospital Health Network in Ohio. The technology also won Gold in the prestigious Medical Design Excellence Awards in the ER & OR tools and supplies category and was named to Time magazine’s Best Inventions 2022. Under Fazila’s leadership, MOLLI Surgical was named to the 2021 list of Best WorkplacesTM Managed by Women and the 2022 list of Best WorkplacesTM in Health Care.
Over twenty years, Fazila has nurtured new technologies through the commercialization process in Canada and the U.S. by building teams, raising growth funds, and bringing people together for impact in healthcare, energy, and specialty materials sectors. She served as Program Leader for General Electric’s Global Research Center in Niskayuna, NY; Director of Technology and Venture Development for MaRS Innovation, a technology incubator in Toronto, Canada; and as President & CEO of MOLLI Surgical (2018–22).
At GE, she created and launched the corporate nanotechnology program and was recognized with the GE Management Award for exceptional leadership.
At MaRS Innovation, Fazila developed a diverse portfolio of medical device opportunities with a special focus in Ultrasound and Breast Cancer. Fazila also co-produced a crowdfunding campaign to promote a new medical device for monitoring breast cancer treatment. That work won national recognition in the Globe and Mail’s Top 10 Canadian crowdfunding list. While at MaRS, Fazila met her MOLLI Surgical cofounders and raised financing to launch the company in 2018.
As CEO, Fazila led MOLLI Surgical through FDA and Health Canada clearance of the company’s flagship breast cancer surgery product and established sales and clinical operations in the U.S. and Canada, allowing patients to benefit from the company’s medical technology. The product has been adopted at some of the world’s top hospitals like Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada, and The Christ Hospital Health Network in Ohio. The technology also won Gold in the prestigious Medical Design Excellence Awards in the ER & OR tools and supplies category and was named to Time magazine’s Best Inventions 2022. Under Fazila’s leadership, MOLLI Surgical was named to the 2021 list of Best WorkplacesTM Managed by Women and the 2022 list of Best WorkplacesTM in Health Care.
Terry-Ann Lynch
Terry-Ann Lynch is a passionate visionary, results-oriented, decisive leader with extensive experience in Public Health program implementation aimed to sustain healthy communities. Terry is committed to advancing local communities, building sustainable relationships, and enhancing the public health workforce. Early in her Public Health Career, she had a passion for better understanding the systematic barriers to care and how to address them. It was not until she was given the opportunity to manage a citywide implementation plan that would provide education around HIV prevention and treatment among vulnerable populations specifically persons of color who were underinsured or uninsured that she truly found her calling. The program focused on addressing health inequities which were barriers. This Philadelphia-based program embedded in a Federal Qualified Health Center (FQHC) addressed housing, food insecurities, behavioral/mental health, and assistance with accessing medication and was able to address the needs of the community. Terry-Ann managed a substantial budget focused on prevention education which connected and retained over 500 persons into care in a one-year period. Her expertise includes Program Implementation, Management, and Evaluation. Terry-Ann enjoys generating new ideas and devising feasible solutions to broadly relevant problems. Her colleagues would describe her as a driven, passionate, results-oriented, and resourceful individual who maintains a positive, proactive attitude when faced with obstacles. She thrives in environments that promote collaboration.