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Our Team
The WBBA Team proudly serves more than 470 member organizations who are critical partners in realizing our mission. Our dedicated and collaborative team is focused on providing innovative and timely educational events, targeted networking programs, “one voice” policy support, commercialization consulting to emerging life sciences companies, scientists and entrepreneurs, and a consortium of buying power through our business solutions program.
But we don’t stop there. Our team is extended by an active board of directors and a host of volunteers who possess extensive business and scientific expertise and are working to build a world-leading life sciences community.
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Chris Rivera – President
chris@washbio.org | 206.732.6700
Chris Rivera has been President of the WBBA since January, 2009.
Prior to joining the WBBA, Mr. Rivera was the founder and CEO of Hyperion Therapeutics, a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for gastroenterology and hepatology diseases. Prior to starting Hyperion, he was Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at Tercica, Inc., where he was responsible for developing and overseeing Tercica’s global commercialization strategies and was intimately involved in the development and consummation of an international cross-licensing collaboration with Ipsen. As Senior Vice President of Genzyme Therapeutics, Mr. Rivera was largely responsible for building the company’s U.S. renal division and assisted in the launch of Renagel® (sevelamer hydrochloride) globally. Earlier in his career, he helped build the initial commercial organizations at Centocor and Cephalon.
Mr. Rivera holds a master of science degree in audiology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; a bachelor of science degree in business from Northwestern Oklahoma State University; and studied marketing and management at the Albers Graduate School of Business and Economics at Seattle University.
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Stacie D. Byars – Director, Marketing and Membership
stacie@washbio.org | 206.732.6705
Stacie Byars joined WBBA in June, 2009, and brings more than 20 years of marketing, corporate and investor communications, community relations and patient advocacy expertise, specializing in life science, healthcare and high-tech organizations.
In 2006, Ms. Byars established SDByars Communications, LLC, a consultancy focused on serving organizations in the development, implementation and ongoing evaluation of communications strategies. She has created custom methodologies that promote positive corporate image, optimize media opportunities, cultivate strategic relationships and manage expectations of key stakeholders for public, private and non-profit organizations, including: Targeted Genetics, Celladon, Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, BiPar, Orexigen, Elan, McKesson Specialty, Northwest Association for Biomedical Research, BioCentury Publications, Argenta Reimbursement Advisors, UW Biotechnology and Biomedical Technology Institute and others. She also worked in lead corporate communications roles at Targeted Genetics, Nastech Pharma, Captaris, NeoRx and NeoPath.
Ms. Byars is an active industry and community leader, serving on multiple boards and executive committees. She served four years of active duty in the United States Navy and graduated cum laude with a BS in business administration from the University of Washington Bothell.
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Patti McKinnell Davis – Director, Public Affairs
patti@washbio.org | 206.732.6706
Patti McKinnell Davis joined WBBA in 2003 as Director, Public Affairs. She has worked in various capacities in external and internal communications, public relations, community relations and advocacy at Providence Everett Medical Center, The Casey Family Program, United Way of King County, and Children’s Home Society of Washington.
Ms. McKinnell Davis received a bachelor’s degree in the comparative history of ideas from the University of Washington and master’s degree in policy studies from the University of Washington Bothell.
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Kathleen Poston, Director of Administration
kathleen@washbio.org | 206.732.6704
Kathleen Poston joined WBBA in 2004 as Director, Administration. She has more than 13 years of non-profit experience and expertise in database administration, event planning and organizational management.
Ms. Poston previously worked at Melby, Cameron & Hull, an association management company where she was Assistant Director for the Washington Society of Association Executives, Northwest Florists Association and Office Manager.
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Darcy Jacobson – Events Manager
darcy@washbio.org | 206.732.6710
Darcy Jacobson joined WBBA in December of 2009 as the Event Manager. She has strong background in hospitality and event planning over the last 10 years. She spent five years at the Microsoft Executive Briefing Center in Redmond working in an event planning capacity and most recently managed all private events at a local fine dining restaurant.
Ms. Jacobson has a BA in Communications from the University of Washington.
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Brenda Stav – Administrative Assistant
brenda@washbio.org | 206.732.6700
Brenda Stav joined WBBA as Administrative Assistant in September 2007 and brings 15 years of experience in sales and marketing, event planning, customer service, and association management to the organization.
Prior to joining WBBA, Ms. Stav spent 10 years in the sales and marketing field in Seattle area hotels. She then worked with an association management firm where she served as an Executive Director and Director of Membership for multiple associations. Providing prompt and quality service is a passion for Brenda. She also supports the Life Sciences Discovery Fund, which shares office space with WBBA.
Ms. Stav graduated cum laude with a BA in hotel and restaurant administration from Washington State University.
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Kaeli Rivera –Interim Executive Assistant
execasst@washbio.org | 206.732.6708
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H. Stewart Parker – Life Sciences Commercialization Consultant
stewart@washbio.org | 206.732.6707
H. Stewart Parker joined WBBA in 2010 as Commercialization Consultant. Ms. Parker is an entrepreneur and the founder and former President and CEO of Targeted Genetics Corporation (Nasdaq: TGEN), a Seattle biotechnology company formed to develop gene based treatments for acquired and inherited disease. She held the position of CEO since the company’s inception until November 2008. She raised over $350 million to fund the company’s research programs. The company is currently developing lead products in ocular disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Prior to forming Targeted Genetics, from 1981-1992 she held various positions at Immunex Corporation, ending her tenure there as Vice President, Corporate Development and President, CEO and Board Member of Receptech Corporation.
She has considerable experience in the areas of biopharmaceutical fundraising, business development, corporate governance, and general executive management.
She is the recipient of many awards, including the 1999 Forbes ASAP Magazine, top 25 most influential players in biotechnology.
She currently serves as a member of the Washington State Economic Development Commission; the Washington Advisory boards of US Bank and Regence Blue Shield; the corporate boards of OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals and C3 Jian Inc.; and on the boards of several other nonprofit organizations.
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Stephanie Barnes – Commercialization Associate
stephanie@washbio.org | 206.732.6707
Stephanie Barnes joined the WBBA in December 2009, assisting early stage companies and scientist-entrepreneurs with strategy and fundraising to successfully commercialize their research and discoveries.
Ms. Barnes has actively strengthened her business knowledge and skills through her leadership of the Science and Engineering Business Association at the University of Washington and as a Senior Business and Marketing Associate at an early stage startup. In addition, she excelled a semifinalist in the UW Business Plan Competition.
Ms. Barnes has a B.S. in chemical engineering, focused on biomedical engineering, from the University of California Los Angeles.
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