Ohio Life Sciences Appoints Five New Board MembersCincyTech NewsFeatured News·November 15, 2024

OLS Association and OLS Foundation add new expertise from across the life sciences industry to help lead organization into 2025 and beyond

COLUMBUS, Ohio (November 14, 2024) - Ohio Life Sciences (OLS) today announced the addition of five new appointments to the OLS boards of directors: Allyson Blandford, associate director, state government affairs at Amgen; Dr. Paco Herson, associate vice president for health sciences innovation at The Ohio State University; Greg Kimmel, general manager, health business unit for Battelle; Liza Lewis, head of human resources at Forge Biologics; and Emma Off, CEO, president and partner at CincyTech. The new board members will help guide OLS in aligning the life sciences industry to drive innovation, expansion and economic growth across the state of Ohio.

"OLS is proud to have these dynamic leaders join our distinguished boards, adding to the expertise we are excited to tap into as we continue to deliver for our members and push the life sciences industry forward in our state," said Eddie Pauline, president and CEO of OLS. "Together, the OLS Foundation and OLS Association boards, OLS members and life sciences organizations here continue to make incredible strides in Ohio, while developing innovative products and lifesaving technologies that change lives every day."

New OLS Foundation Board Members

About Allyson Blandford
Blandford is associate director, state government affairs at Amgen, one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies. With more than 20 years of public and private sector policy experience, she helps lead healthcare policy and government affairs for Amgen and will contribute those insights into guiding OLS' priorities and approach to local, state and federal agencies, officials and representatives in promoting the state's life sciences ecosystem.

About Greg Kimmel
Kimmel is general manager of the health business unit for Battelle, the world's largest independent nonprofit research and development organization. With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, he helps manage the organization's healthcare innovation for the world's most pressing health challenges and will advise OLS on key industry innovation trends and emerging opportunities.

About Liza Lewis
Lewis is head of human resources for Forge Biologics, a leading contract development and manufacturing organization of genetic medicines. She will bring her human capital strategy and management experience to help OLS advance its talent development efforts, ensuring Ohio's life sciences organizations have access to the workforce needed to build a thriving ecosystem.

About Emma Off
Off is CEO, president and partner at CincyTech, an early-stage venture capital firm, overseeing all aspects of the organization, including the firm's strategic direction and business development efforts, operations, fundraising, and investment activities and portfolio management. Off is a key member of CincyTech's investment committee and serves on the boards of several CincyTech portfolio companies in the life sciences space. She brings her extensive governance, private capital and corporate transaction and M&A experience to advise OLS on strategic matters and drawing additional funding to the extensive life sciences industry in Ohio.

These four OLS appointees join the OLS Foundation board of 15 members led by new Board Chair Eli Phillips, Jr., PharmD, JD, vice president of business development and partnerships, cell, gene and advanced therapies for McKesson Corporation. Phillips replaces outgoing Board Chair Stacy Strauss, director of the Ohio University Innovation Center. Michael Gaul, COO of Beyond Air, will also rotate off of the Foundation board.

New OLS Association Board Member

About Dr. Paco Herson
Dr. Herson, associate vice president for health sciences innovation at The Ohio State University and associate dean for research innovation at The Ohio State College of Medicine, is a translational neuroscientist specializing in therapeutic approaches to treat cerebrovascular disease, conditions that can include stroke, brain bleeds, vascular dementia and others. His research experience and insight into academic research will bring new perspectives on partnerships and innovation to OLS.

Dr. Herson joins the OLS Association board of nine members. Current Board Vice-Chair Tyler Allchin, managing director, healthcare, for JobsOhio, will assume the role of board chair, replacing Michael Triplett, Ph. D., president and CEO of Armatus Bio.

About Ohio Life Sciences
Ohio Life Sciences (OLS), the state association advancing and advocating for the common interests of the state's life sciences community, convenes dynamic companies, people, and institutions to elevate the ecosystem in Ohio while supporting those that drive health, economic and social well-being in communities across the globe. OLS is organized as two nonprofit operations to best serve the life sciences ecosystem across the state, a 501c6 (Ohio Life Sciences Association) to serve as the member-based organization focused on economic and workforce development and advocacy; and a 501c3 (Ohio Life Sciences Foundation) focused on delivering research and funding that will accelerate and promote a robust life sciences industry in Ohio. Learn more at OhioLifeSciences.org.

Media Contact:
Michael Myser
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Phone: 973-207-3195

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