WALTHAM, MA – The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced new members of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) Board of Directors, as the state continues to strengthen its life sciences ecosystem.
The new appointees include: Christopher Coburn, Chief Innovation Officer at Mass General Brigham; Valerie Fleishman, Executive Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association; Brian Johnson, President of MassMEDIC; and Dana Mendenhall, SVP and Global Head of Commercial and Portfolio Strategy for Takeda’s Plasma Derived Therapies Business Unit.
Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “These leaders bring invaluable expertise to the MLSC Board, and their institutions have been pivotal in advancing Massachusetts’ leadership in life sciences.”
Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz added, “With their insights, we aim to continue growing the Massachusetts life sciences sector and building on the nearly two decades of success from the Life Sciences Initiative.”
Governor Maura Healey’s signature on the Mass Leads Act last November paved the way for these additions, which include broader representation from sectors such as medtech, digital health, and health equity. UMass President Marty Meehan, represented by UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, and Pam Randhawa, CEO and Founder of Empiriko, will continue serving on the Board.
MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD, expressed confidence in the new leadership, saying, “With this exceptional team, we are poised to further cement our position as the global leader in life sciences.”
New Board Members:
Christopher Coburn
Chief Innovation Officer, Mass General Brigham
Coburn oversees Mass General Brigham’s 140-person business development team, managing strategic collaborations and a nearly $500 million venture fund. Previously, he led Cleveland Clinic Innovations, helping spin off 57 companies.
Valerie Fleishman
Executive VP & Chief Innovation Officer, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association
Fleishman leads initiatives to advance digital health, AI, and health equity. She previously headed the Network for Excellence in Health Innovation (NEHI), promoting collaboration across healthcare sectors.
Brian Johnson
President, MassMEDIC
Johnson has expanded MassMEDIC’s membership and budget since joining in 2018. He also co-launched MassDevice.com and launched the DeviceTalks event series, connecting medtech leaders.
Dana Mendenhall
SVP & Global Head of Commercial and Portfolio Strategy, Takeda
Mendenhall brings nearly 30 years of experience to her role at Takeda, focusing on growth strategies and leadership in healthcare. She is also active in community service and leadership boards.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The MLSC is an economic development agency supporting Massachusetts’ life sciences sector through grants, loans, and tax incentives. Since its establishment in 2007, the MLSC has invested over $1 billion, creating thousands of jobs and advancing innovations that improve health globally.
