Colorado BioScience Association Welcomes Four New Leaders to Board of Directors
The Colorado BioScience Association has announced the appointment of four new accomplished leaders to its Board of Directors, a move that further strengthens the organization’s efforts to enhance it’s life sciences ecosystem. CBSA plays a vital role in advancing it as a national hub for health innovation by championing the successes of its life sciences community, advocating for a supportive business climate, and collaborating with stakeholders across the sector. The newly appointed members bring diverse expertise, from commercial real estate and healthcare to biopharma and financial services.
Meet the New Board Members
The newly appointed directors include Jennifer Chavez, Kelly Jean Brough, Linda D. Secka, and Ryan Crisman. Each of these leaders has a unique background and skillset that will contribute to CBSA’s mission of fostering innovation and economic growth within it’s life sciences sector.
Jennifer Chavez: Senior Director at BioMed Realty
Jennifer Chavez is the Senior Director at BioMed Realty, where she provides comprehensive commercial real estate transaction expertise and specialized business management services for BioMed Realty’s portfolio. One of her most notable responsibilities includes overseeing the 23-building Flatiron Park, which serves as a critical hub for life science, quantum, and technology innovation. With a background that spans successful real estate transactions, operations, and marketing oversight, Chavez has worked with Fortune 500 companies, institutional REITs, and local real estate investors and tenants. Her wealth of experience in real estate will support CBSA’s efforts to grow the infrastructure that is vital to attracting innovative life sciences companies to Colorado.
Kelly Jean Brough: President & CEO of Fitzsimons Innovation Community
Kelly Jean Brough leads the Fitzsimons Innovation Community, a sprawling campus that houses state-of-the-art laboratory space designed for health and life sciences companies to advance their research. The campus is home to organizations working on breakthroughs aimed at curing diseases, saving lives, and improving healthcare. Brough is an accomplished business leader with experience spanning both the public and private sectors. She has a strong background in workforce development and healthcare, and her leadership at Fitzsimons will help continue the growth of it’s life sciences sector by supporting the companies that call the Innovation Community home.
Linda D. Secka: Executive Director of Life Sciences and Healthcare Services at J.P. Morgan
Linda D. Secka brings deep expertise in financial analysis, venture-backed transactions, capital debt structuring, and client relationship management to the CBSA board. As the Executive Director of Life Sciences and Healthcare Services at J.P. Morgan, she works with companies in the life sciences and healthcare industries to navigate complex capital markets and credit needs. Her strategic counsel and financial strategies will be invaluable to CBSA’s efforts to attract investment and support high-growth organizations in Colorado. Secka’s expertise will also strengthen the economic development initiatives that help ensure it remains a competitive hub for life sciences innovation.
Ryan Crisman, Ph.D.: Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Umoja Biopharma
Dr. Ryan Crisman is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Umoja Biopharma, where he leads the development of in vivo cell therapies aimed at unlocking the full potential of CAR T cells for cancer and other serious diseases. Umoja Biopharma recently closed a $100 million Series C financing round to advance the clinical development of VivoVec™-derived in vivo CAR T cells. Crisman’s background in biotechnology, particularly in the development of cutting-edge therapies for cancer, will help guide CBSA’s work to foster groundbreaking health innovations from Colorado.
The Role of the CBSA Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the Association is a dynamic and diverse group of leaders who guide CBSA’s strategic direction, advocate for the organization’s members, and contribute to advancing Colorado’s reputation as a hub for health innovation. Board members include C-level executives at publicly traded companies, serial entrepreneurs, scientists, academics, and experts from the fields of finance, law, and operations. Together, these leaders work with the CBSA team to drive growth and innovation in Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem.
According to Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of CBSA, “Jennifer, Kelly, Linda, and Ryan play a pivotal role in growing our ecosystem, from infrastructure and investment to cutting-edge innovation and commercialization. Their contributions will reinforce Colorado’s position as a leading location for life sciences and bolster our ecosystem’s efforts to advance groundbreaking medical technologies from Colorado for the patients who need them most.”
The Future of Colorado’s Life Sciences Ecosystem
As the demand for life sciences and healthcare innovation grows, Colorado continues to attract top-tier leaders and organizations that are shaping the future of healthcare. The CBSA Board of Directors is at the forefront of driving this growth, working to ensure the state remains competitive in an increasingly global industry.
“Our newest board members demonstrate the strength and diversity of our life sciences ecosystem,” said Ethan Mann, Ph.D., M.B.A., CEO of OrganiShield and Chair of the CBSA Board of Directors. “Together, we will accelerate Colorado’s momentum as a top five hub for life sciences in the U.S. and drive impact for CBSA members and sponsors through partnerships, talent attraction, and investment.”
With ongoing investments in infrastructure, lab space, and talent development, Colorado is well-positioned to attract even more innovative companies and leaders. Through initiatives like the Colorado Hub for Health Impact, a large-scale national economic development campaign, CBSA is working to create a thriving environment for health and life sciences companies at every stage of development.
Supporting Colorado’s Life Sciences Ecosystem
The Colorado BioScience Association has long been an advocate for the growth and success of the state’s life sciences sector. CBSA’s Board of Directors plays an essential role in this mission, supporting members through collaboration, strategic partnerships, and targeted investments. The organization works closely with government agencies, private investors, academic institutions, and service providers to foster a supportive environment for life sciences innovation.
Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem is diverse and growing. The CBSA Board of Directors reflects the wide-ranging sectors within the industry, including medical devices, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, ag-bio and animal health, digital health, academic research, and service providers. The collective experience and expertise of the board members are key to accelerating progress and making Colorado one of the top life sciences hubs in the U.S.
Conclusion
The appointment of Jennifer Chavez, Kelly Jean Brough, Linda D. Secka, and Ryan Crisman to the CBSA Board of Directors marks a significant step forward for Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem. These accomplished leaders will bring their expertise to CBSA’s strategic initiatives, ensuring that Colorado continues to be a destination for innovation and a leader in the healthcare and life sciences industries. Through their contributions, CBSA will strengthen its efforts to create a dynamic, supportive environment for life sciences companies and attract investments, partnerships, and talent to the state.
As Colorado continues to make strides in advancing health innovation, CBSA’s Board of Directors will be integral to shaping the future of the state’s life sciences sector, providing the leadership and guidance necessary to drive further growth, success, and breakthroughs that can transform healthcare worldwide.
For more information on the CBSA and its Board of Directors, including photos and full biographies, visit the CBSA website.
About Colorado BioScience Association
Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products and services that improve and save lives. The association leads Capital and Growth, Education and Networking, Policy and Advocacy, and Workforce Cultivation to make its members stronger, together. Learn more: cobioscience.com
About Colorado Hub for Health Impact
Smart, inclusive, forward-thinking, and highly educated people lead life sciences innovation in Colorado, the Hub for Health Impact. Here, in the center of the United States, the country’s top talent transforms every aspect of health and care. Our community is right-sized for high-growth organizations, with excellent infrastructure, lab and office space, outstanding academic and research institutions, and successful companies at all stages of commercialization. More than 20 life sciences organizations, economic development groups, local governments, developers, and builders joined together in 2024, launching the national economic development campaign to attract high-growth health innovation companies to Colorado. More: coloradohealthimpact.com.
