Press Release
Mass. Life Sciences Center Names
New President and CEO
Board unanimously approves veteran life sciences
strategist Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister
BOSTON (May 28, 2008) – The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) has voted to hire life sciences strategist, Dr. Susan Windham Bannister, as the MLSC’s new President and CEO.
With over 35 years of experience in the life sciences and health care sectors, Dr. Windham-Bannister leaves her position of Managing Vice President at Abt Bio-Pharma Solutions, Inc. (a subsidiary of Abt Associates Inc.), where she focused on the development of competitive commercialization strategies for large and small biotech companies, medical device / diagnostics companies, academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies and health service providers. She possesses significant proficiencies in navigating the complexities of life cycle management, from early stage / clinical development through navigating late stage and commercialization challenges.
Her portfolio of clients at Abt Bio-Pharma Solutions, Inc. included extensive strategic business planning for such major clients as the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, GE Healthcare, Genzyme, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Siemens Diagnostics, Tufts Medical Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Dr. Windham-Bannister earned a Ph.D. from Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management, where she was a Ford Foundation Fellow, and a B.A. from Wellesley College. She was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship in the Institute of Politics at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, where she focused on how managed care impacts the use of pharmacologics and the adoption of novel technologies.
“The scope and depth of her background will translate perfectly into this new role,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Daniel O’Connell, Chairman of the MLSC Board of Directors. “As the Center seeks to invest in good science with clear translational and economic development benefit, while also addressing the complex workforce challenges that face our Massachusetts supercluster, Dr. Windham-Bannister is well poised to lead the Center into its next chapter,” O’Connell stated.
“Dr. Windham-Bannister has spent decades producing successful results for industry, research and academic institutions who have sought to commercialize the results of their clinical work,” stated MLSC Board member and former ViaCell, Inc. CEO, Marc Beer. “She brings a remarkably deep understanding of the challenges that face the Center’s diverse stakeholders with respect to bringing their research, devices, diagnostics and therapies to market, in order to effectuate positive medical outcomes and ultimate cures for disease,” said Beer. Beer chaired the search committee.
“I am ecstatic to be offered this opportunity and thank the Board for their resounding support today,” said Dr. Windham-Bannister. “I am proud to be a part of the core team that will advance Governor Patrick’s life sciences initiative and fulfill the Legislature’s vision when creating the Center. There has not been a more thrilling moment in history for our supercluster, and I am committed to working hard to reinforce and strengthen Massachusetts’ position as a global leader in the life sciences,” said Windham-Bannister
The hire comes nearly seven months after the Center engaged Russell Reynolds Associates, a highly reputable international executive search firm, to conduct an extensive search for the best candidate. Russell Reynolds canvassed the market, focusing in Massachusetts and other life science hubs such as California and North Carolina, and reaching out to more than 250 prospects and sources. The Center’s search committee reviewed prospects from states such as Delaware, Washington, New York, Florida and California. Those interviewed by the committee included a CEO of a major biopharmaceutical company, a general partner of a marquee device venture fund, a vice president of a large pharmaceutical research institute and a vice president and general manager of a major diagnostics company. An advertisement for the position ran in The Economist and In Vivo.
“Susan will bring strong and respected leadership to the Life Sciences Center at an exciting time for this vital economic sector,” said Ellen Zane, President and CEO of Tufts Medical Center. “Her perspective, experience and enthusiasm will help move the Center forward in its critical work that will help support academic medical centers advance critical and groundbreaking research.”
Dr. Windham-Bannister is the co-author of two books, including Competitive Strategy for Health Care Organizations, reissued by Beard Books in Nov 2002 and, which has been cited in Hospitals magazine as recommended reading for health care administrators. Her articles have appeared in publications including Project Management Today where one of her most recent publications discusses the multiple applications of registries and other “real world” studies. She is a frequent guest speaker on issues relative to competition in the life sciences sectors, having presented before such organizations as the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association, the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy, and the New York Business Group on Health.
"Dr. Windham-Bannister is a person that I have known for several decades and for whom I have deep admiration and respect," said Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. JudyAnn Bigby. "Her breadth of experience and vision will ensure that the MLSC will promote research and the translation of research into interventions that will have a real impact on people's lives."