2022 Peer Group Members
The Southern California Chapter
Director's Peer Group Members
Hillary Gretton, MBA
Co-Leader 2022 | Past Leader 2021
Associate Director, Pricing & Contracting
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Megan Nacar
Co-Leader 2022
Director of Alliance Management
Pierian
Megan Nacar is an accomplished business executive with a primary focus in alliance management within biotechnology, clinical genomics, and diagnostics.
At Pierian, Megan manages a number of strategic partnerships spanning assay/consumables, sequencers, real world evidence data, laboratory and genetic counseling services, clinical research organizations, and pharmaceutical.
Megan has spent over a decade of her career in healthcare, primarily in the laboratory diagnostics space. Prior to Pierian, she lead commercial strategy at a New Jersey based reference laboratory that provided urology & gastroenterology specialized surgical pathology, PCR-based infectious disease molecular diagnostics, and next generation sequencing testing for hereditary disease.
Outside of work, Megan is actively involved in her community as the Los Angeles Chapter Co-Leader for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (CRCA). Her role as the chapter co-lead is to develop a stronger advocacy group for the CRCA in Los Angeles as well as to ultimately contribute to ending colorectal cancer in her lifetime.
On her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing paddle tennis at the beach, dancing with her Tahitian dance group, and spending time with her family and friends.
Olivia Osborn, PhD, MSc.
Associate Professor
UCSD, School of Medicine
Olivia Osborn is an accomplished scientist with 15 years of experience in preclinical research related to behavioral neuroscience. Recognized in the scientific community with a track record of publications, grants, and conference presentations. Highly skilled in cross-team collaboration, developing strategic partnerships, and distilling and communicating complex technical information to a diverse range of audiences. Passionate about translating scientific research into life-changing therapies for physical and mental health treatment.
She obtained her B.S. in Genetics and MSc in Bioinformatics at the University of Manchester, UK. She received her PhD from the University of Oxford, UK in the field of Neuroscience and Genetics.
She is currently an Associate Professor leading a research team of focused on pathways regulating food intake behavior. Also collaborates across teams in anorexia, type 2 diabetes, NASH and cancer research projects. In her spare-time she enjoys gardening, orange theory and hanging out with her kids (age 6 and 9).
Sherry Siegert, PharmD.
Senior Director, Medical Affairs
La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company
Thousand Oaks, California
Sherry Siegert is an experienced medical affairs leader with an extensive breadth and depth of experience spanning key functions of medical affairs. With 13+ years of diverse experience across managed care, commercial, and medical affairs, this broad exposure encompasses large, medium, and small-sized pharmaceutical companies. She thrives in a fast-paced environment alongside high-performing, agile team members. She recognizes innovation and collaboration as vital drivers to achieving corporate goals and believes striving for continuous improvement is at the core of high impact organizations.
She obtained her B.S. in Biopsychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Illinois, Chicago, College of Pharmacy. She was the inaugural pharmacy resident for the Managed Care Specialty Pharmacy Residency program at CVS Caremark-Specialty Pharmacy.
She is currently Senior Director of Medical Affairs at La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company, overseeing day to day functions including, but not limited to: Medical Information, Investigator Initiated Research, Independent Medical Education, Medical Strategy and Operations, Insights, and Scientific Communications. Her passions are helping to improve patient lives and paying it forward through developing young professionals, volunteering in the community, and supporting recurring scholarships at her alma mater.
Michael W. Young
biomedwoRx: Life Sciences Consulting
Principal & Founder
Carlsbad, CA
Michael is an accomplished, biopharmaceutical executive and collaboration expert with award-winning marketing and commercial strategy credentials. He directs a multi-professional, bespoke consultancy that supports life science companies at the intersection of clinical strategy and commercialization.
He has held Vice President roles at Toronto-based Klick Health (Digital Health), PAREXEL International (global CRO), and PPD (global CRO) in business development and partnership management. Michael led Eisai Pharmaceuticals’ oncology/hematology commercial team and spent eleven years directing Strategic Marketing at biotech start-up, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. where he oversaw the development, registration, and launch of five novel cancer and supportive care/pain management drugs.
His commercial career also includes sales management, marketing, and new product development positions at GSK, Adria Laboratories, and Bayer where he has directed or been responsible for the launch of over 20 drugs and devices including $Billion brands CIPRO® (ciprofloxacin) and ZOVIRAX® (acyclovir).
Among his credentials, Michael was named Medical Marketer of the Year by the Medical Marketing Association and served as President of the national organization. He has served on the Life Science Trainers & Educators (LTEN) Advisory Board and the San Diego Healthcare Businesswomen’s (HBA) Advisory Board. For 20 years, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation and advises several other patient advocacy groups.
Michael received his undergraduate degree from Kenyon College and did his graduate work at The Ohio State University. He enjoys automotive sports and owns a couple of vintage Alfa Romeo cars.
Patricia Bedard, PhD
Senior Director of Non Clinical Development
Travere Therapeutics
Ela (Raphaela) Heussen, PhD, MBA
Director of Corporate Strategy at Abreos Biosciences
Reno, Nevada (recently relocated from San Diego)
Ela's professional focus is on leveraging novel technology to improve outcomes in healthcare, and her experience bridges research-commercialization, medical diagnostics, software in healthcare and corporate structuring. In her current role at Abreos Biosciences, and corporate parent Aegirbio, she works on expanding therapeutic drug monitoring to improve the treatment of chronic illness. She also played a central role in corporate development and restructuring, working on joint venture formation, the company's IPO, a reverse merger transaction, and several acquisitions. She completed her B.Sc.(Hons) in Immunology at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a PhD on modelling gene regulatory networks at University College London, and an MBA at Stanford GSB.
For relaxation Ela enjoys spending time outdoors and watching movies with her husband and four children.
Jami Rogers
Director of Marketing
Alpha Cognition
Jami Rogers is a forward thinking, accomplished brand marketer with 16 years’ experience and a proven track record of success launching and maintaining brands throughout their lifecycle in both private and public companies. Expert in strategic planning, branding, campaign development, HCP and consumer marketing, multichannel digital marketing, KOL management, and media.
She is currently the Director of Marketing at a clinical-stage biotech start up, Alpha Cognition, innovating in Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegenerative diseases. She was the second commercial hire and is currently developing the commercialization plans, including market assessment, go to market strategy, positioning, and creative branding elements. She is responsible for corporate branding, including optimizing social media channels to maximize exposure, metrics and ROI. Jami is the lead for preparation and cross functional team for company's potential plans to up list to NASDAQ. She is also, leading the government affairs initiatives to proactively support and advocate a proposed health bill for neurodegenerative disease.