Michael is an Executive Director leading Digital Health within the Business Development Innovative Technologies function at Bristol Myers Squibb. Michael is responsible for evaluation and execution of Business Development investments and transactions in support of Digital Innovation priorities at BMS.
During his 28 years at Bristol Myers Squibb, Michael has worked across Europe, Asia Pacific and the US in a variety of roles leading and developing high performing, diverse teams, while growing his responsibility and knowledge of the Biopharmaceutical Industry.
Prior to his current role, Michael had responsibility for Alliance Management with a specific focus on late-stage partnerships including: clinical collaborations, translational medicine and diagnostics partnerships, digital partnerships as well as commercial alliances.
Michael has also held roles at BMS responsible for oversight of IT, Infrastructure, and adjacent services in support of Business Development priorities (M&A, divestitures, strategic alliances, collaborations and licensing) at Bristol Myers Squibb. This involved the full spectrum of the deal lifecycle from pre-deal diligence, operational and synergy reviews, ‘Day-1’ planning and post-deal implementation support.
In addition to his IT/Corporate Services experience in supporting Business Development, Michael has supported Manufacturing Operations Globally, Product & Process Development, Engineering & Quality functions.
Michael began his career in Ireland as Chemist with Bristol Myers Squibb in 1994, after completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Chemistry and Business Administration postgraduate studies. Michael currently resides in Princeton, NJ.
Sophie M. Balzora MD, FACG, is a Clinical Associate Professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Balzora has focused her academic efforts on improving physician engagement and enhancing the patient experience through objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs).
As Chair of ACG’s Public Relations Committee, Dr. Balzora’s primary goal is to disseminate the College’s message of the importance of colorectal cancer awareness to the general public and arm its members with tools to do the same. She is a member and incoming Vice Chair of ACG’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and co-founder of ACG’s #DiversityinGI Social Media Campaign. In October 2020, her work in the College has been recognized with the ACG President’s Special Recognition Award.
Dr. Balzora serves on the Patient Education Sub-Committee of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCF)’s National Scientific Advisory Committee, the social media team of the CCF’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Journal, and as a member of Fight CRC’s Health Equity Committee. She has also recently been accepted into the inaugural cohort of the Office of Diversity Affairs’ Faculty Leadership Development Program through the NYU Langone Academy.
Dr. Wyborski received his B.S. (Chemistry) from the University of Notre Dame and his doctorate (Biochemistry) from Indiana University (Bloomington). He completed a postdoctoral fellowship focused on neuronal gene expression in the lab of Dr. David Gottlieb in the Department of Neuroscience at Washington University at St. Louis School of Medicine.
Dr. Wyborski is currently the Director of IBD Ventures Investments at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation where he oversees a growing portfolio of therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, and digital health applications focused on improving IBD patients’ lives. He began his drug development career at Pfizer where he conducted preclinical research in the therapeutic areas of neuroscience, cardiovascular, and inflammation. He led discovery programs in neurotrophic factors, nuclear receptors, and kinases. After his time at Pfizer, he led a research group in the consumer product field by developing products for skin care. Prior to coming to the Foundation, Russ was a Director of Technical Operations at BioMotiv, a start-up company which functioned as a Drug Development Accelerator in Cleveland, OH. In this role, he conducted technical diligence on potential new investments while leading a company (Koutif Therapeutics) through IND filing for an inhibitor of an E3 Ligase for Crohn’s Disease. He has consulted for several academic technology transfer offices at institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh, Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He is passionate about accelerating the development of novel therapeutics for patient’s unmet needs.
Greg Lewis has over 21 years of working in the pharmaceutical marketing sector at large global agencies as well as small boutique shops. In 2019, he joined Calcium as President and Managing Partners – prior roles included Managing Partner at WPP’s Grey Health Group and President at Havas Health and You.
With a range of experience from biologics to toothpaste, and from large DTC-launched brands to specialty products, he has a keen understanding of the fundamentals needed to drive brand growth in today’s marketplace. He has acted as an integrated world-wide team lead on large global brands for J&J, Pfizer, and Bayer, yet he understands the nuances of becoming a trusted partner at more agile and entrepreneurial client organizations.
Greg has led multiple cross-functional marketing launches and campaigns including all on- and off-line professional promotion, medical education, pharmacy outreach, PR and DTC efforts. He likes to connect the dots and has served in lead integration roles as a Brand Chemist for JNJ’s anti-TNF Golimumab, a US Team Leader for Boehriger Ingelheim and as a Global Brand Leader over-seeing Pfizer’s Hematology portfolio.
Greg received a dual degree in marketing communications and political science from Villanova University. He has taken executive classes at the Tuck Business School at Dartmouth and the Harvard Business School. In 2017 and 2020, he was recognized as a Transformational Leader by PM360 and in 2020 was named as one of the 100 Most Inspiring People by Pharma Voice. He sits on two non-profit boards and lives in Mt Lakes, NJ with his wife and 5 children.
Howard is a Managing Director and focuses on healthcare investments at Asahi Kasei, a diversified conglomerate based in Tokyo. A physician by training, Howard has over 20 years of experience investing in innovative public and private healthcare companies. Prior to Asahi Kasei, he was an investor at Hambrecht and Quist Capital (a leading healthcare fund) and Advent International (one of the largest global private equity firms). His early career includes time at The Advisory Board Company and Goldman Sachs.
Howard received his AB in Economics from Harvard University where he was a member of the Varsity Tennis Team. He then received his MD from Tufts University School of Medicine. Howard lives in the Boston area with his wife and three children.
Jennifer Miller is Executive Director, Commercialization for CVS Kidney Care® at CVS Health. In her current role, Jennifer has responsibility for commercial strategy, market insights, and commercial operations across a portfolio of products and services designed to support those living with Chronic Kidney Disease and End Stage Renal Disease.
Jennifer has spent over 15 years in the medical products industry, including roles in new product development, product management, global marketing, commercialization, and sales management. She has spent most of her career in the renal space with both market leading firms and start-ups, with a focus on home dialysis therapies and products.
Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University, and is currently in the Executive MBA program at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. She also serves as a Community Board member for the American Diabetes Association of Illinois. She lives with her husband, Steve, and two children in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Michael Pimental is Partner & Co-Founder of CVS Health Ventures and Senior Director of Business Development, for CVS Health. In his current role within Strategy & Business Development, Pimental has led partnership and investment activities in several key strategic areas of focus, including, diagnostic testing, social determinants of health, oncology genomic testing and dialysis services.
Pimental joined CVS Health in 2011 and held previous roles in Finance and Corporate Development (M&A). During his time in Corporate Development he was deeply involved in the strategy development and execution of transactions including the more than $70 billion acquisition of Aetna.
Pimental earned his bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College. Previous to CVS, he worked in financial services.
Prior to joining the UW Center for Dialysis Innovation and Kidney Research Institute as the Director of External Relations & Patient Engagement, Glenda V. Roberts was an Information Technology executive with over 35 years of experience. Before going on dialysis, Glenda managed the progression of her disease throughout her career via diet and exercise for over 40 years. Refusing to accept limitations, she enjoyed a fulfilling career, evolving from a software developer to a senior business executive managing multi-million-dollar business units for top-caliber corporations, including General Electric, Microsoft and Johnson & Johnson. Since her transplant in 2010, she’s completed eight half marathons.
Keisha L. Gibson, MD, is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics and Chief of Pediatric Nephrology in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also the Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion for the Department of Medicine. Dr. Gibson received her medical degree and Masters of Public Health degree in epidemiology from UNC Chapel Hill. She completed a residency in general pediatrics at MUSC in Charleston and fellowship in pediatric nephrology from UNC Chapel Hill. She is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric nephrology. Her research and clinical interests focus on lupus nephritis and other glomerular diseases. In the area of epidemiology, she is interested in ethnic and socioeconomic disparities and their effect on patient outcomes. She has been involved as a co-investigator with large consortium studies such as the Nephrotic Syndrome Network Study (Neptune Study) and the Cure Glomerulonephropathy Network (Cure GN Study). Within the ASN, Dr. Gibson has served in several capacities. She has served as a member of the American Society of Nephrology’s Program Committee and worked as a founding member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She has been a Cabinet Member for the ASN Foundation Campaign and served on the ASN Glomerular Disease Advisory Group. As an ASN Treks mentor, she provides mentoring for students and residents interested in potential nephrology careers and research.
Kevin Longino has been Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Kidney Foundation since 2015. He first became involved with the organization in 2008 as a volunteer advocate, and in 2012 he joined the national Board of Directors. As CEO, Kevin leads a team headquartered in New York, NY, and field offices around the country. NKF is supported by thousands of volunteers nationwide and serves millions of patients and healthcare providers seeking support and education every year.
Before his tenure at NKF, Kevin held executive positions at Compaq Computer Corporation. from 1987-2000. After his own diagnosis with kidney disease, he became an entrepreneur, an angel investor, and mentor to several startup technology companies, including the successful start-up ClearFactr. Kevin served on the Board of Directors for Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. and was member of its Audit Committee and Special Committee.
In 2004, Kevin received a life-saving kidney transplant after at-home peritoneal dialysis and is now 17 years “kidney strong”. He readily shares his story and uses his experience to help other kidney disease patients.
Kevin earned a post-graduate diploma in Financial Strategy from Oxford University, England. He holds a BS in Marketing and MBA from Louisiana Tech University. He lives in Greenwich, CT, with his wife.