About T2B

Cynthia joined Third Rock Ventures in 2015 as Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations. In this role, she leads the firm’s external and internal communications strategy and initiatives. She also works closely with the firm’s portfolio of companies to guide them on their communications and investor relations best practices. Prior to joining Third Rock, Cynthia served as Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals for 10 years. Before that, Cynthia was Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at Synta Pharmaceuticals. She joined Synta after four years in roles of increasing responsibility at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, where she worked as part of the team driving the company’s communications and investor relations efforts. Cynthia began her career in Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at Curis. She earned her B.A. with honors in Communications from the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

Mikel is a Caribbean American and a first-generation college graduate with a profound passion for healthcare and pharmaceutical marketing. He holds a double bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Corporate Communication, Advertising, and Marketing from Baruch College, CUNY. Driven by a commitment to excellence, Mikel continually challenges change and innovation processes, takes initiative, amplifies voices, and achieves noteworthy outcomes through resourceful solutions. Mikel has interned at top Fortune 500 companies and pharma advertising agencies across the United States. Mikel started his career at JP Morgan Chase as a Data Analyst. He then transitioned to healthcare marketing, interning at Publicis Health Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness and later as Global Communications Intern at Merck & Co. Inc.

Mikel’s interests extend beyond his professional pursuits. He has a deep passion for the culinary arts and a meticulous eye for digital design. His love for travel adventures, exploring different cultures, and listening to music not only enrich his life but also contribute to his creativity and analytical thinking, setting him apart as a young individual.

Lina is a senior director of investor relations and corporate communications at Intellia. Since joining Intellia in 2017, Lina has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s public and investor-facing communications through various stages of clinical development for its gene editing therapies. She was responsible for leading the communication strategy for the landmark data presented in 2021, supporting the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to specifically edit genes inside a human body. She has deep experience translating complex science associated with novel gene editing technologies and across multiple therapeutic areas for the investor and media audience. In her role, she has successfully supported over $1B+ of capital market financings to drive Intellia’s research and development forward. Prior to Intellia, Lina held roles of increasing responsibility in finance and accounting at KKR and PwC. She graduated with a dual B.S./M.S. degree in Accounting from the New York University Stern School of Business and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Ilke is a seasoned, strategic healthcare communications executive who achieves top-tier results to build, maintain and protect reputations for Fortune 50 biopharma companies. A 20-year veteran of Abbott and AbbVie, she currently leads integrated communications for AbbVie’s oncology portfolio. Her experience extends across all facets of proactive and issues management external (media, consumer, social) and internal (executive, employee) communications, and she has launched multiple pharmaceutical brands, indications and high-profile campaigns. Prior to Abbott and AbbVie, she held positions of increasing responsibility at Baxter Healthcare, Weber Shandwick, Golin and GCI Health. Ilke’s and her teams’ work has been widely recognized, including through the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvil and Ragan Communications and Reuters Pharma awards for best campaigns in Corporate, HIV/AIDs, Cardiovascular Health and Oncology communications. Ilke is a member of the Daughters of Ataturk International, PRSA and Ragan Communications, and she is a founding member of the Ticket to Biotech advisory board, promoting excellence in healthcare-industry communications. She holds a Journalism degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

Sarah joined Life Science Cares as Employee #1 in 2017 and has overseen the organization’s explosive growth and strategic direction since. As CEO, she drives the alignment, efficiency and effectiveness of LSC’s five affiliates. Under her leadership, Life Science Cares has invested more than $16 million and tens of thousands of volunteer hours to support a portfolio of community organizations providing access to basic needs, access to education and access to opportunity.

Before joining LSC, Sarah served as Executive Vice President at MassBio, the industry trade association. In that role, Sarah led policy, communications, events and strategic functions of the 1,000+ member company organization. Prior to MassBio, Sarah held a variety of association and policy positions. She is a graduate of Hartwick College and has a Master’s degree from Northeastern University.

Outside of work, Sarah is active in her community and enjoys time with her husband, Sean and son, Griffin.

Trista is a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive advisor and cross-functional strategist, with 20+ years of experience in corporate affairs and stakeholder management (investors, media, employees, patients) for public companies. Trista currently serves as the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Chief of Staff to the CEO at Voyager Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VYGR). She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Network of Tyrosinemia Advocates (NOTA) and the Advisory Board of The Termeer Foundation. Prior to joining Voyager, Trista served as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Saniona, where she built and led communications, investor relations, patient advocacy and government relations, in addition to serving as a member of the executive committee. She previously founded the consulting firm PR with Purpose, and her prior roles include Vice President of Communications and Patient Advocacy for rare disease company Sobi in North America, Head of Communications for Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, and reporter and editor for BioWorld Today, as well as various positions at multiple communications agencies. Trista received a B.S. in marketing and biology from Tulane University.

Sherry is a strategic advisor at Real Chemistry with experience and expertise across the entire healthcare ecosystem in product and corporate communications, healthcare policy, public affairs, investor relations and sustainability. Most recently, Sherry was Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Seagen, where she was instrumental in supporting the company’s $43 billion acquisition by Pfizer. Previously, she served in various communications, strategy and corporate affairs leadership roles at Pfizer, Novartis, Zoetis and Guardian Life and led Ogilvy PR’s global health practice. At Pfizer, she was the Founder of the N.Y. Women’s Council and served as the U.S. Chair for its Global Women’s Council. Sherry currently serves on the Board of Advisors for Jhpiego Corporation, a Johns Hopkins affiliated international health organization providing services for women and families in more than 155 countries and is vice chair of the Board of Trustees at Maryvale Preparatory School. She lectures in communications at New York University and Georgetown University.

Priyanka is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Elephant Head Communications, LLC, a strategic communications consultancy dedicated to helping companies in the life sciences, biopharma, and biotech sectors effectively convey their innovations and purpose. With over 18 years of experience, Priyanka is known for her strong work ethic, rooted in hard work, grit, empathy, and humility, offering an influential perspective for leaders navigating business challenges. In her previous leadership roles at Kinnate Biopharma and Mirati Therapeutics, she played a pivotal role in shaping their external affairs strategies during crucial transitions. At Bristol Myers Squibb, she led corporate communications through significant milestones, including the acquisitions of Celgene and Myokardia and managed global oncology communications for flagship products like Opdivo and Yervoy. Priyanka has been recognized as a leader of influence by the San Diego Business Journal and PRWeek. She also dedicates her time to community service, supporting organizations like Penn Medicine and Mama’s Kitchen. Priyanka holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Communications from Rutgers University.

Scott is an EVP and Principal Recruiter at HireMinds. He has over two decades of professional executive recruiting experience. Scott specializes in placing communications, marketing, investor relations, and patient advocacy professionals in many industries. Most of his work is in the pharma, biotech, and medical device sectors. He works with clients and candidates across the country.

Scott is a frequent lecturer at universities and professional associations, where he shares tips on how to write cover letters, resumes and LinkedIn profiles, how to leverage your network and how to prepare for interviews. When he’s not recruiting, he loves to travel, work on home projects and play catch with his Goldendoodle, George.

Matt has been in working in healthcare and life science communication for more than 20 years for a wide range of organisations including charities, trade associations and medical societies before switching to work for pharma and biotech for AbbVie, Merck & co (MSD) and now Ferring. Matt is passionate about the important role industry must play in supporting health literacy and accessible information for all. He works to develop the strategic impact pharma communicators can have through stakeholder engagement, story telling, policy development and adoption of media technology.