About Los Angeles

Bill Allen is the Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation and its subsidiary, the World Trade Center Los Angeles. Mr. Allen is also Co-Chair of the California Stewardship Network, a Vice Chair of the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley and a member of the Board of Directors of the Weingart Foundation, Regional Economic Association Leaders of California Coalition, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Coalition for the Economy and Jobs, Film L.A., Unite L.A., and Sister Cities of Los Angeles.

Active in regional economic development for more than twenty years, Mr. Allen was the first CEO of the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley from 1996-2000, and in 2000 was named California’s Civic Entrepreneur of the Year by the California Center for Regional Leadership. Mr. Allen has served as a trustee of the University of Southern California, chair of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Chair of Film LA, and cochair of the “Shaping Tomorrow” capital campaign for the Valley Presbyterian Hospital, on whose board he served for fifteen years.
Mr. Allen was previously a television network and studio executive with nearly twenty years experience in entertainment production and management, where he supervised the development and production of hundreds of episodes of network, syndicated and cable television, as well as several highly rated TV movies and specials. A cum laude graduate of the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California in 1979, Mr. Allen also received his Masters Degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University in 1983.

Jasson Crockett joined Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of Economic Development in 2016, where he manages business development efforts in the life science and healthcare sectors, sports, and tax policy. Jasson works to connect companies of all sizes to resources within City Hall to enable their growth in the City of LA, and develop a more connected ecosystem wherein companies can thrive.

Prior to joining the Mayor’s Office, Jasson worked with a national consulting firm, specializing in strategic financial management consulting for nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Jasson has experience as a teacher and case manager for a nonprofit organization located in South-Los Angeles. Jasson holds a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University where he majored in Finance and Management.

DeeDee is the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bench International. Bench established in 1974, will be celebrating its 43rd anniversary December, 2017. Bench is the oldest and largest global, woman-owned retained executive recruiting, talent mapping and consulting organization serving the Life Science sector. DeeDee guides and directs a global team of 25 recruiting executives and scientific leaders who are defining/ redefining game-changers themselves, committed to extraordinary vision and execution in extraordinary times. Bench operates as one global integrated team with multiple sites throughout the world. As part of “give back” to the sector DeeDee and her team support and coach today’s leaders, providing high level insights on leadership and trends.

DeeDee leverages her 40+ years of Life Science industry focus by guiding her team on the execution and working with companies to, “do more with fewer”. With the global search access as well as their ability to map and track talent Bench’s clients and investors are provided with Best Practice and Best Knowledge of the industry leadership talent, that provides companies with the differentiators necessary for healthy building of larger companies, or to build smaller companies to achieve the critical inflection points they desire. With an indefatigable, pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit, DeeDee has taken Bench from its founding in 1974 to its eminence today as one of the most successful companies “shattering” diversity ceilings bringing women, people of color, those who “think and “do,” differently to leadership roles in life science companies.

In 2009 DeeDee was the first executive recruiter to be named “1 of the Top 100 Most Inspiring Leaders” by PharmaVOICE Magazine, a Hall of Fame Inductee of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). “Giving Back” being cause-motivated, is critical to DeeDee. She has served for 15 years as a member of the board of Learning Forum International (LFI), Making Great Kids Greater through student and educator programs that contribute to the mastery of learning and life skills by today’s youth, leading to their academic, personal and professional success. Her prior not for profit board commitments have included founding the Forum for Global Pharmaceutical Diversity and Inclusion (FRXDI), serving as a member of the board for the Los Angeles Chapter the Isreal International Cancer Research Fund (ICRF), Family Promise, Healthcare Business Woman’s Association’s (HBA’s) Northern California Chapter and Europe Chapter. DeeDee holds a double Masters of Science degree, Auditory Pathology and Speech Pathology. Prior to founding Bench International, DeeDee served as a Research Fellow in a joint research program sponsored by National Institute of Health (NIH) and Siemens Corporation, the University of California, San Diego, State Diego State University and the San Diego Speech and Hearing Center.

Professor Scott E. Fraser has a long-standing commitment to quantitative biology, applying the tools of chemistry, engineering, and physics to problems in biology and medicine. His personal research centers on imaging and molecular analyses of intact biological systems, with an emphasis on studies of early animal development, organogenesis, and medical diagnostics.

After receiving training in physics (BS, Harvey Mudd College, 1976) and biophysics (PhD, Johns Hopkins University, 1979), Fraser joined the faculty at UC Irvine, and rose through the ranks to become Chair of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. In 1990 he moved to Caltech to serve as the Anna L. Rosen Professor of Biology, and the Director of the Biological Imaging Center. He is deeply committed to interdisciplinary training and translational research, having helped to found the Caltech Brain Imaging Center and the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, as well as serving as the Director of the Rosen Center for Biological Engineering.

To foster the translation of basics science research findings to application in clinical practice, Fraser has actively collaborated with clinicians in fields ranging from cardiology to ophthalmology. Such interactions have helped translate his 80 issued patents to FDA approved tests, novel research tools, and start-up companies. In Fall 2012, Fraser moved to USC to take a Provost Professorship in the Dornsife College of Letters Arts and Sciences, the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine and the Viterbi School of Engineering. He remains active in interdisciplinary research and serves as the Director of Science Initiatives for the USC campuses.

Stephanie Hsieh is President and CEO of Meditope Biosciences, Inc., an early stage biotechnology company, based in Pasadena, CA, developing revolutionary immuno-oncology therapeutics. She is an industry veteran having enjoyed over 25 years in biotech/biopharma and with a proven track record of setting and executing on value-building corporate strategies. Ms. Hsieh began her career as a patent litigator, where she represented a wide range of clients from Fortune 50 companies to biotech start-ups to major academic/research institutions. Prior to taking the helm at Meditope, Ms. Hsieh worked in senior management roles, leading cross-functional teams to develop and execute business and new product strategies built heavily upon the intersection of the patent laws and regulatory landscape. She currently serves on the board of Cancer Support Community in Pasadena. Ms. Hsieh holds a B.A. in Biological Chemistry from Wellesley College, a JD from Columbia University and an MBA from Stanford University.

As the leading advocate for the life science industry in California, President and CEO Joe Panetta guides Biocom by setting strategic direction, guiding policy priorities, and championing the biopharmaceutical industry at the local, state, national, and international level.

Mr. Panetta holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from LeMoyne College, and a Master of Public Health degree in industrial and environmental health from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a graduate of the Brookings Institution Program for Executives and the Harvard Program on Negotiation.

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Alice Jacobs, M.D., Caltech EIR, Third Rock Ventures. Dr. Jacobs serves as EIR at Caltech, FiNC Technologies, Third Rock Ventures/MIT/Bob Langer, GE Healthcare Ventures, Greybird Ventures and Essex Management. Advisory/investor roles include artificial intelligence/machine learning/big data in digital health/wellness, microbiome, clean energy, synthetic biology, genomics, liquid biopsy and other precision medicine technologies, drug discovery/development platforms and gene editing. This includes a platform technology in the top 10 recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel on the cancer moonshot to speed progress in cancer.

While still a student at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Jacobs co-founded IMDx along with Dr Boris Nikolic (Chief Science and Technology Advisor to Bill Gates and Managing Director, Biomatics Capital.) IMDx became an industry leader globally in the development and manufacturing of molecular diagnostic tests, prior to exit.

Dr. Jacobs holds multiple patents in personalized medicine and has received numerous awards including being recognized by Scientific American as one of the top 50 innovators and by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, a 40 under 40 award by the Boston Business Journal as well as for Healthcare Innovation in Clinical Diagnostics by Frost & Sullivan. She holds a BA in Art History, a BS in Biological Sciences from Stanford with Honors in Developmental Neurobiology and an MD from Harvard Medical School.

As partner and co-chair of the Life Sciences Group for Nixon Peabody, LLP, Seth focuses his practice on intellectual property protection and commercial transactions in life sciences and healthcare. He works with clients to implement strategies for international intellectual property protection and enforcement, to structure business relationships around the development and commercialization of life sciences technologies, and to support clinical research programs for both nonprofit and for-profit clients. Seth has significant experience working with academic and healthcare institutions to develop and support their technology transfer programs. He also serves as outside general counsel to emerging growth companies, oftentimes those that do business with academic and healthcare institutions.

A graduate of Cornell University with a B.S., cum laude, in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, and a J.D. from USC Law School, Seth presents nationally and internationally on emerging intellectual property issues, and has received numerous awards and recognitions for his leadership and work in the life sciences, intellectual property and legal communities.

Amir Naiberg serves as Associate Vice Chancellor, and President and CEO of UCLA Technology Development Corporation. He leads the UCLA Technology Development Group, a campus wide resource that serves as a Gateway to Innovation, Research and Entrepreneurship at UCLA. Additionally, he leads the UCLA Technology Development Corporation as Chief Executive Officer and President, a non-profit technology company wholly-owned by UCLA focused on better protecting and optimizing the discoveries and inventions developed through UCLA research. Mr. Naiberg also works in concert with several on campus incubators and accelerators to further advance innovation, entrepreneurship and research at UCLA.

Prior to joining UCLA in August 2016, Mr. Naiberg worked at Yeda Research and Development Co, Ltd., In Rehovot, Israel, the technology transfer company of the Weizmann Institute of Science, ranked as one of the top three technology transfer organizations in the world. At Yeda, he served for ten years as CEO, following five years as General Counsel. He led the organization’s growth in licensing and business partnerships, while building an entrepreneurial ecosystem with local incubators, investors, and the Israeli government. Mr. Naiberg is one of the founders of the Israel Technology Transfer Organization (ITTN), a non-profit organization that unites various technology transfer offices throughout Israel. Before joining Yeda, he worked for a private law firm specializing in intellectual property, privacy and cyberspace law. Mr. Naiberg holds law degrees from the Hebrew University School of Law and the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Peter M. Moglia has served as Chief Investment Officer of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. since January 2009, and has been with the Company serving in a number of capacities since April 1998. From April 2003 through 2008, Mr. Moglia was responsible for the management of the Company’s Seattle asset base and operations. From 1998 to 2003, Mr. Moglia’s responsibilities were focused on underwriting, acquisitions, and due diligence activities.

Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Moglia served as an Analyst for Lennar Partners, Inc., a diversified real estate company, where his responsibilities included underwriting and structuring direct and joint venture real estate investments. Mr. Moglia began his real estate career in the Management Advisory Services group within the E&Y Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group, Ernst & Young, LLP where he spent six years providing valuation, feasibility, financial modeling, and other analytical services to a number of real estate developers, financial institutions, pension funds, and government agencies. Mr. Moglia received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Dr. Spellberg is Chief Medical Officer at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California (LAC+USC) Medical Center. He is also Medical Director of Biosciences for Los Angeles County. He received his BA in Molecular Cell Biology-Immunology from UC Berkeley. He then attended medical school at UCLA, where he received numerous academic honors, including serving as the UCLA AOA Chapter Co-President, and winning the prestigious Stafford Warren award for the topic academic performance in his graduating class. Dr. Spellberg completed his Residency in Internal Medicine and subspecialty fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Dr. Spellberg has extensive administrative, patient care, and teaching activities. He has worked for the last 6 years to transform the quality and efficiency of care delivered at LAC+USC Medical Center, one of the largest public hospitals in the US. Dr. Spellberg may be the only Chief Medical Officer in the US who not only continues to be actively clinically, staffing both Internal Medicine ward teams and Infectious Diseases consulting service, but also maintains an active NIH-funded basic science laboratory. Dr. Spellberg has also co-founded 3 biotechnology start up companies.

At the national level, Dr. Spellberg has worked extensively to attempt to bring attention to the problems of increasing drug resistance and decreasing new antibiotics, and is now working to raise attention to the need for national healthcare reform. In 2009, he published the book Rising Plague to inform and educate the public about the crisis in antibiotic resistant infections and lack of antibiotic development. His latest book, Broken, Bankrupt, and Dying: How to Solve the Great American Healthcare Rip-Off, was published in June of 2020.

Jonathan Thomas (“JT”) has been Chair of the governing Board since June 2011. Prior to that he was a Co-Founding Partner at Saybrook Capital (“Saybrook”), an investment banking and private equity firm based in Santa Monica, California. Long interested in the biological sciences, JT majored in Biology and History at Yale, where he graduated summa cum laude. As a George C. Marshall Scholar at Oxford, he then earned a PhD with a medical focus in Commonwealth History. He subsequently returned to Yale for a JD at the Yale Law School. While there, he retained an involvement with biology by teaching courses on the legal implications of genetic engineering and the impact of disease on history.

He went on to be an investment banker for Ehrlich Bober & Co. (a top-10 Wall Street public finance firm) where, among other things, he led a team that underwrote over $1 billion in various kinds of bonds for the Los Angeles Community College District. He left Ehrlich Bober in 1990 to co-found Saybrook. While with Saybrook, he led an early round of financing for Advanced Cell Technology (now Ocata Therapeutics), which now has two embryonic stem cell-based clinical trials in progress. In addition to his financing expertise, JT brings legal expertise to help CIRM navigate clinical trials, bilateral collaborative agreements, intellectual property, loan agreements and other legal challenges that confront CIRM on an ongoing basis. His legal experience includes clerking for White House Counsel Lloyd Cutler in the last year of the Carter Administration and also for the Honorable George Mackinnon of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He later practiced at then-Munger, Tolles & Rickershauser in Los Angeles.

JT also has a broad knowledge of governmental agencies, having served for seven years each as either member or vice president of the City of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners and as a member of the Governing Board for the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority. In that latter role, he developed a plan to finance the $2.4 billion expansion of the Corridor rail lines from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles. Through this government work and his many years in public finance, he has served at various times as underwriter, financial advisor and issuer of a wide range of tax-exempt and taxable bonds. JT has worked closely with political officials at the federal, state and local level on a variety of projects for over 30 years. He was the chief government liaison to the Governor and State legislature for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the PG&E bankruptcy, for whom Saybrook acted as financial advisor in their Chapter 11 proceedings. He has structured a number of public/private partnerships, including the financing for the Dolby (formerly Kodak) Theatre in Hollywood, home to the Academy Awards.

JT has a long-standing commitment to patient advocacy. He spent more than 15 years on the Board of the Crippled Children’s Society of Southern California and served as Chair for four years. The organization, now called AbilityFirst, assists children with spinal cord injuries and mental disabilities that could be targets of stem cell therapies. He is an Honorary member of the AbilityFirst Board.

Dr. Martin Zagari is Vice President of Global Health Economics at Amgen. In this role, he directs the planning, execution and scientific dissemination of worldwide economic and value evidence for Amgen’s entire product portfolio from early stage molecules to marketed products. Dr. Zagari joined Amgen in May of 2005. Prior to Amgen, between 1997 and 2005, Dr. Zagari held various positions at Johnson & Johnson in Health Economics, Medical Affairs, and Strategic Marketing. These positions included: Executive Director in J&J Corporate Strategic Marketing for the erythropoietic agents, Medical Director for erythropoietic treatments in oncology at Ortho Biotech, and Director positions in Health Economics. Between 1994 and 1997, Dr. Zagari worked in Health Economics and Outcomes consulting at Technology Assessment Group/Lewin-TAG, based in San Francisco. Martin received his MD from Stanford University, an MBA from Rutgers University, and BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is trained in anesthesiology.