As President and CEO of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, Bob’s mission is to advance Massachusetts' leadership in the life sciences to grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system and improve patient lives. Over the last decade, Bob has truly become a champion for patients by ensuring innovative companies have the best environment possible to research, develop, and commercialize breakthrough therapies and cures for people around the world who need and deserve them. Bob has spent his career in both the public and private sectors. Before joining MassBio, he served as the Undersecretary of Economic Development within Governor Deval Patrick's administration, where he prioritized both healthcare and economic development issues and was a strong advocate for the life sciences industry in Massachusetts. Prior to that, he was elected as State Representative to the 11th Norfolk district for three terms. Bob has also held senior executive positions in the environmental services, capital management and venture capital industries. He brings passion and energy to all of his endeavors.

Jodie Morrison is an accomplished executive and board member with experience from start up through mid-size public biotech and pharmaceuticals. She currently serves as a Venture Partner at Atlas Venture. Her most recent operating role was Chief Executive Officer of Cadent Therapeutics where she led the growth of the company from early-stage clinical trails through to the successful acquisition by Novartis in 2021. Prior to Cadent, Ms. Morrison served in interim roles as Chief Executive Officer at Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (leading the successful merger of equals with Akebia Therapeutics) and Chief Operating Officer at Syntimmune (acquired by Alexion). Prior to Syntimmune she served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Tokai Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (led IPO in 2014 and merger with Otic Pharma in 2016) and held other senior positions including Chief Operating Officer and VP/Head of Clinical and Program Operations. Prior to joining Tokai, Ms. Morrison held roles in clinical operations and medical affairs at Dyax Corporation, Curis, Inc., and Diacrin, Inc. Ms. Morrison currently serves as Chair of the Ribon Therapeutics board and as a board member at both Rectify Pharma and Aileron Therapeutics (ALRN). She previously served on the Cadent board and the pre/post-merger boards for Keryx/Akebia Biopharmaceuticals and Tokai/Novus Pharmaceuticals. Aditionaly, she serves on the key advisory board for Harvard Business School’s Blavatnik Fellowship in Life Science Entrepreneurship. Jodie has been awarded the Boston Business Journal’s “Power 50” and “Women to Watch” awards and WEST’s “Making a Difference” award. Jodie’s efforts coordinating the biotech community around COVID-response through the founding of the CEO Forum were written about the by STAT, WSJ and WSJ Venture.