Kimberly Chew is senior counsel in Husch Blackwell LLP’s virtual office, The Link, where she co-leads the firm’s psychedelic and emerging therapies practice. With a robust background in biotech research, Kimberly guides life sciences clients through the intricate landscape of clinical trials, FDA regulations, and academic research compliance. Her practice encompasses regulatory due diligence and intellectual property enforcement, particularly in patent infringement and validity. She helps drug developers and entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of the life sciences sector, addressing regulatory and commercial challenges to achieve business goals.

Eric C. Ulchaker brings over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, including more than two years in venture capital, with a proven track record of successful ventures. He previously served as Fund Manager for the Pit Road Fund, a $23 million pre-seed and seed-stage venture fund affiliated with the University of Notre Dame, and played a key role in raising the 1842 Fund – a partnership between High Alpha Innovation and the University of Notre Dame – where he led diligence efforts following the fund’s initial $17.5 million close. Eric is currently a Managing Partner at Serial Stage Venture Partners (SSVP), a Cleveland-based, healthcare-focused investor network with over 150 members. He is also an active angel investor. Passionate about MedTech, BioTech, and HealthTech, Eric has supported startups such as Pulmonary Apps, Apportis, and Million Marker, a Y Combinator-backed company.

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As the Executive Director of the Institute for the Global Entrepreneur (IGE), UC San Diego, Dennis has merged entrepreneurship training with an intensive acceleration environment to deliver a blend of education, mentorship, and resources to scale deep-tech startups. Since its establishment in 2016, IGE has sponsored both regional and international startups in healthcare and life sciences seeking to commercialize their research. As a founder in several startups, Dennis has built a career with a balance of business and technology expertise, holding executive positions in R&D, operations, sales and business development.

Arlene has practiced public accounting since 1993 and is a member of the firm’s Technology, Communications & Media, and Life Sciences Practice. She primarily works with biotechnology, pharmaceutical drug discovery, medical devices, and laboratory testing companies. Arlene consults clients in the application and implementation of new accounting policies and technical guidance in compliance with SEC, SOX 404, and US GAAP requirements. In addition, she has led numerous initial and subsequent public offerings and merger and acquisition activities including due diligence, and related accounting and SEC reporting.

Ms. Pelletier is an expert in women’s health, with insight driven by both intensive consumer research and deep commercial experience in the global markets with products addressing women’s health spanning every stage in their reproductive journey, from puberty to menopause. Her career in the pharmaceutical industry has spanned more than three decades, during which she has launched pharmaceutical brands worldwide and expanded indications for female healthcare brands in multiple countries. She is a published author, TEDx and keynote speaker, executive coach and staunch advocate for innovation in women’s healthcare. During her 10-year tenure as Chief Executive Officer, President and Executive Director of Evofem Biosciences, Inc. (OTCPK: EVFM), Ms. Pelletier has led the company through its transition to the public market, the approval of PHEXXI, the first and only hormone-free, on-demand prescription contraceptive vaginal gel, the acquisition of SOLOSEC, an FDA-approved single-dose oral antimicrobial agent for the treatment of two common sexual health infections: trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis, and four consecutive years of net sales growth.

Amy Jung is an investor with experience in emerging technology, healthcare, and early-stage venture capital. Before joining Llama Ventures, she worked at Redesign Health, driving innovation and portfolio growth across health and life sciences startups, and is an active member of All Raise and Global Women in VC. Amy holds a B.S. in Molecular Biology and an M.S. in Data Science and Machine Learning from the University of California, Berkeley.

Brian brings over 25 years of biopharmaceutical development experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in advancing innovative therapies from research through commercialization. At Peregrine Bio, Brian partners with leading industry stakeholders to navigate complex trends in biomanufacturing, supporting clients as they transition through development and toward a final commercial vision. He has hands-on expertise in CMC and operational strategy, scalable manufacturing platforms, process validation, and CMC regulatory strategy across the bioproduction value chain.

Jennifer Barnes, CEO and Founder of Optima Office, a national firm with over 100 W2 employees that specializes in outsourced accounting and HR services. Optima has been named a best place to work by the UT, Inc and SDBJ every year for the past 5 years and has made it to the Inc5000 Fastest Growing Companies 3 years in a row. Passionate about mentorship and community involvement, Jennifer serves on the boards of The Better Business Bureau, NuFund Venture Group, Junior Achievement, and Presidio Property Trust (SQFT). She is also a member of Rotary 33, Vistage International, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and Social Venture Partners.

Heather Slotnick has over twenty-five years of patent attorney experience working with early-stage companies collaboratively to develop high quality intellectual property (IP) portfolios while reducing legal risks. Heather started her career at Townsend and Townsend (now Kilpatrick Townsend) in the electronics patent prosecution group. Before founding MLO, she worked at Siemens for over 10 years providing IP due diligence for Siemens Venture Capital and onboarding early-stage companies after acquisition.

Paola Torre is a Venture Partner at Aquillius Ventures and Board Member at Life Science Angels, where she focuses on sourcing and evaluating early-stage biotech and therapeutic companies. With a background spanning both venture investing and biopharma R&D at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Paola brings a cross-disciplinary perspective at the intersection of science, strategy, and innovation. She is passionate about advancing women’s leadership in life sciences and supporting founders developing transformative health technologies.

Sabrina Runbeck, MPH, MHS, PA-C is a Fractional COO/CSO, co-founder of PulsePoint Path, Venture Partner at MedStartr Capital, and Chief Strategist of Health Board Advisors. She predicts healthcare company sustainability and scalability through human, social, and intellectual capital assessments. A 3x international bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and top 5% podcast host, she champions women clinicians transitioning to leadership and investment roles.