Dr.Elizabeth Jacobs, MD/MAPP, Healthcare Research and Policy, MaineHealth
Dr. Liz is the Associate Chair for Research, Department of Internal Medicine at Dell Medical, and VP for Research at MaineHealth, a not-for-profit family of high-quality providers and health care organizations in Maine recognized as one of the US's top integrated health care delivery networks. Dr. Liz previously served as Chief of Primary Care at Dell and prior to joining Dell Medical School, she was a professor of medicine and population health sciences and vice chair for health services research in the Department of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Dr. Jacobs’ research interests include access to, and cultural specificity of, medical care delivered to patients, the impact of interpreter service interventions on the cost and quality of healthcare, health literacy, and numeracy, and the role that trust in health care plays in racial/ethnic disparities in health care. Her research has been supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Aging, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The California Endowment, The Russell Sage Foundation, The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and the Office of Minority Health.
She has served on the Office of Minority Health, Joint Commission, National Quality Forum, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and AHRQ expert panels. She received the Chancellor's Community-Academic Partnership Award, 2017, University of Wisconsin System; Outstanding Investigator Award, 2017 School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, and Addis Costello Award, 2014, American College of Physicians Wisconsin Chapter. She attended medical school at the University of California at San Francisco and trained as a general internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She completed a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars fellowship and a master’s in public policy at the University of Chicago.
Richard J Siemens
His Excellency Marwan Bin Jassim Al Sarkal
Chairman, Shurooq
His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal is the ex-Chairman of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), an entity tasked with leading the continued transformation and economic diversification of the emirate of Sharjah. Named as the Middle East CEO by the prestigious Burj CEO Awards and chosen as one of '100 most Powerful Arabs' by Arabian Business magazine, HE Marwan is one of the key business leaders in the UAE to drive and lead the investment and cultural growth of Sharjah. His career with Shurooq began as CEO of the authority in 2009 at the time of its establishment under an Emiri decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal has played an integral role in transforming Sharjah's economic infrastructure, diversifying markets, and facilitating new investments by major developments covering environment, healthcare, logistics, tourism, light manufacturing, education, real estate, aquaculture, agriculture, mobility, and AI. He has spearheaded major infrastructural projects and key partnerships at Shurooq estimated at a total value of more than AED 10 billion.
His creative, innovative thinking and futuristic approach, rooted in the emirate's traditions and history, have enabled Shurooq to adopt world-class standards. With his exceptional commitment to diversity, training, gender inclusivity, and continuous learning, Marwan has enabled an open, creative, and innovative environment that designs projects for future generations. He is also a board member of several organizations and has won countless accolades including the FDI Environmentally Sustainable Developments Industry during the European CEO Awards.
An avid traveler and technology enthusiast, HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal holds a BAS in Accounting and Business Administration.
Hemmie Chang
Life Sciences Chair, Foley Hoag
Recognized by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as Top Women and inducted into the LMG Life Sciences Hall of Fame, Hemmie is Chair of Foley Hoag's Licensing & Strategic Alliances Practice and Co-Chair of the Life Sciences Group. She brings in a strategic business perspective and legal acumen of two-plus decades of experience within the biopharmaceutical, medical device, gene and cell therapy, and genomics sectors. Hemmie has closed more than $12 billion in deals in recent years across diverse therapeutic areas with all leading pharma players globally. Her representations include Dicerna (NASDAQ; DRNA)'s $200+ million research collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim for GalXC RNAi therapeutics; Korean pharma Dong-A ST in a $525 million exclusive license opposite AbbVie for a Mer Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor; and Genomics Medicine Ireland in an AbbVie Ireland partnership with WuXi NexCODE Genomics for population genomics research in Ireland. Hemmie is a frequent speaker on BIO and LES panels, teaches the "How to Create Value from Inventions" seminar as part of the Harvard Business School New Venture Competition, and served as a mentor for MassBio, MassChallenge and North Shore InnoVentures companies.
In addition to a long history of community and civic involvement, Chang has worked on pro bono matters for the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). Most recently, she has advised AALDEF on their efforts to support universities defending race-conscious admissions policies, and contributed to amicus briefs in support of affirmative action policies that detractors claim are discriminatory. Hemmie also serves as a Director and Secretary for the South Cove Manor nursing home founded in Boston’s Chinatown and a Director of the Franklin Square House Foundation, which serves homeless women and children in the Greater Boston area.
Parwez Jugoo,
Barrister at Law,ex-Group Legal Counsel
Airtel & Zain
Parwez is ex-Group Legal Counsel for Airtel Africa that acquired assets of Zain Telecom in Africa who pursued law at the University of Mauritius and is a barrister of the Bar of Mauritius. He was a pupil of Lord Marks QC of the Inner Temple, England, and of Nicolas Sorensen of the Barreau d’Aix-en-Provence, France.
He is an expert in the telecommunications industry and has earned valuable experience for 30+ years, as a legal adviser to large telecom multi-nationals and in this capacity, he participated in numerous bids for telecoms licenses worldwide and was part of M&A teams during major transactions in those telecom groups. He was the ex-CEO of MADACOM, Madagascar, (now Airtel) where he helmed the company into a USD 100MN successful business prior to selling the company to Zain. A seasoned team leader, he has served with teams of PWC and he served was the ex-legal counsel with Celtel, and Zain (MTC group). He has acted as a legal advisor to the Distacom Group that owned Orange (now PCCW) in Hong Kong, Spice Telecom in India, and MADACOM S.A. in Madagascar. Parwez advised GSM license bids in Ivory Coast, DRC, Mayotte, Comoros, Anjouan, Mauritius, South Africa, and Lebanon. Until recently he was recently a team member at Benoit Chambers, a leading law firm in Mauritius.
He has an advanced Management course from London Business School. Parwez is excellent in English and French.
Vinod Sood,
Co-founder, MD, Hughes Systique Corp.
Mr Vinod Sood is Co-Founder and Managing Director at Hughes Systique Corporation (HSC), an Engineering R&D Solutions & Services company. He is also on the Board of Hughes Communications India. Prior to his current role, he was Head of Global Engineering and R&D at Hughes Software Systems (HSS) and served on its Board as well. HSC is a signatory to the UN Women and UN Global Compact’s Women’s Empowerment Principles (“WEPs”).
Vinod is a veteran of hi-tech software industry, during his career span of 36 years he has built high performance teams at premier R&D organizations in India. Vinod has an exceptional track record of building profitable and sustainable institutions from conceptualization to maturity. Before HSS, Vinod worked with C-DOT where he was part of the core team which designed India 1st Digital Switch. He is member of NASSCOM Engineering R&D Council and Chair of Northern Regional Council. Established in 1988, NASSCOM, a not-for-profit industry association, is the apex body for the 194 billion dollar IT BPM industry in India, an industry that had made a phenomenal contribution to India's GDP, exports, employment, infrastructure and global visibility.
Vinod is a member of Advisory Committee of the Institute of Informatics and Communications, University of Delhi, Shoolini University Solan, KR Mangalam University, BML Munjal University and Masters Union Business School Gurugram. Vinod is involved in guiding and mentoring young entrepreneurs and startups and is on the Advisory Boards of some of these startups. He is a TiE Charter member and is part of several CII, NASSCOM, and TiE juries to identify emerging startups and innovative product companies. An alumnus of PEC Chandigarh from where Vinod graduated with a Gold Medal.
Dr. Neil Campbell,
Board, Life Sciences Pennsylvania
MD, Mosaigen
A global C-level entrepreneurial executive with 25+ years of success building public and private businesses in science & technology sectors with a strong focus on the life sciences through the commercialization of over 290 products and services. Neil started his career with Abbot Labs, IGEN (Now Roche) and spent an executive career with private VC/PE international investment fund experience as a general partner and advisor and has advised HNWI, FOs, VC, and PE funds with board practice advisory services and helped build start-ups to Fortune 500 providing leadership in turnarounds, stagnant growth, emerging-growth, and developing country. Dr. Campbell runs Mosaigen, founded in 2004 as a global technology development corporation specializing in the life sciences, ICT, and Cleantech industries using a unique model "reverse startup" approach. This includes Nanotechnology & Material Sciences, Life Sciences (Pharma, Device, Diagnostics, Research, OTC/CPG), ICT (High-performance computing, Web 2.0, Machine Learning, Pattern Recognition/Dynamic Scaffolding, Virtualization platforms, Simulation, Physics Engines, and New Media), and lastly Clean/Green Tech (Solar, Wind, Smart Software, Materials, renewable Energy, non-food stock biofuels & ISBEs).
Neil has capital market experience from seed to IPO with over $420M directly raised and involved in roadshow teams for IPOs totaling > $1B. He is on the Investment Committee for Genomic Medicine Catalyst Investment Fund, UK. He is a scholar-practitioner, author, and speaker on innovation, entrepreneurship, and capital appreciation methods for science & technology commercialization. Neil received his doctorate from University of Liverpool, UK and MBA & MS from Webster.
Rohit Hegde,
Board Member, Aequs Consumer
Head India, Inflexion
Rohit has spent several years in three continents building portfolio companies of Private Equity Firms, a large engineering company, and a technology firm. Rohit ran his own auto components business Adeep Group in India sold to Actis Private Equity in 2006. At the time of sale, Adeep was a $25M company with 1300 employees in the business of manufacturing locksets, wheel rims, clutch assemblies & fuel taps.
Between 1993 and 1998 Rohit managed Hewlett Packard's Medical Supplies Manufacturing business in Andover, MA, USA. From 1983 to 1992 Rohit managed the manufacturing activities of Scully Signal Company manufacturing heating oil delivery systems in Wilmington, MA. He is well-connected and highly experienced in helping European and British companies develop their operations in India. He delivers targeted market development plans to support portfolio company activities in India and helps with investment team decisions. Currently a Member of the board and an investor in Aequs Consumer, a subsidiary of Aegus Global.
Rohit has an MBA from Northeastern University, Boston, an MS in Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech University, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai. Rohit is passionate about the opportunities India offers to ambitious companies however when not at work he enjoys swimming and basketball and is a fiercely competitive tennis player.
Rashmi is an early-stage purpose-driven advisor and investor focused on Human and Environmental Health. She brings in multidisciplinary experience and a diverse pool of social capital for 23 years across 20+ countries. Rashmi's career began with businesses in the Internet, mobile, SaaS, and VR. She has engaged with 2 investment banks, 3 global consulting firms, global family offices, and a dozen early-stage companies.
Distacom, which originally built Orange, J-Phone, StarTV, and the Hutchison group, owned Asia Pacific Capital. Rashmi first worked with their internet business and was the core team for their first B2B software acquisition that grew from 5-300 people from Tokyo to Johanessburg, now TechnoTree, Nasdaq Helsinki (TEM1V). Rashmi collaborated with Distacom's other investments, NASDAQ listed SUNDAY of Hong Kong (now PCCW) for catalyzing their GSM award, Blu SpA Italy (sold to Telecom Italia), and Spice Telecom in 2000. Rashmi built Bouin after her tenure as a Principal at a cross-border M&A advisory (acquired by Avasant) to collaborate with Edelweiss Capital (IPO in 2010), and three large IT & BPO companies including EvalueServe, Integreon, and Pipal.
She has served on multiple advisory boards, reviewed numerous business plans with global teams, and built a portfolio of investments. Rashmi serves on the Investment Advisory Committee of the Texas Women's Foundation, TWF. The foundation advocates for policies and practices in local communities and at the state level where innovation and investment can help empower women, lead to positive economic and social change, and achieve equity for Texas women and girls, and their families. Rashmi is an ambassador for HITLab NY, an impact organization to help shape the future of healthcare, and a venture mentor with the University of Texas and supports Women in Healthcare, HLTH Foundation. She was one of the early members of the US's first Impact-only angel group, SWAN Impact. Rashmi earned a Business degree and BSc in Biology & Chemistry from Delhi University in 1995. She speaks four languages fluently and is a Kashmiri Pandit, a minority community forcibly removed from their motherland in the 8th exodus of 1990.
Rashmi Kilam
Founder, Managing Director,
Bouin Capital
Mr. Siemens is a significant force in the telecommunication and broadcasting industries for over 30 years. Born and raised in Canada, Rick was trained as a Chartered Accountant and joined Distacom Communications in 1973 to create the largest paging company in Western Canada. In 1979, Mr. Siemens came to Hong Kong to start a paging operation called Advance Telecom Services (ATS), and by 1984, he formed Hutchison Telephone, a partnership between Distacom, Hutchison Whampoa, and Motorola that had 500 employees and a profit of US$100 million annually. In 1990, together with Cable & Wireless and CITIC Pacific, he founded AsiaSat, the first satellite company in Asia, a private consortium Easy TV, a 24-hour satellite music channel and STAR TV became the first pan-regional broadcaster, and later the music channel of Star. Mr. Siemens also spearheaded Hutchison's telecom business in the UK, now ORANGE network, and built retail mobile businesses in France and Germany. By 1993 Hutchison was operating in 14 countries with over one million subscribers and 6,000 employees. Rick sold his significant share in Hutchison Telecom and re-launched Distacom as an independent company, acquiring new assets and focusing on developing wireless networks in new markets.
Mr. Siemens was Co-Chairman and Executive Director of SUNDAY Communications Limited, a company listed on HKSE and NASDAQ, which provides GSM and 3G wireless communications and data services in Hong Kong. The company was privatized in December 2006 following its acquisition by PCCW in 2005. Mr. Siemens was the Chairman of e-KONG Group Ltd, a company listed on the main board of the SEHK: 524 and maintains a sponsored Level 1 ADR program through The Bank of New York (Ticker Symbol: EKONY), which creates, operates, and invests in telecommunications and technology-related businesses globally.
Mr. Siemens is also NE Chairman of Sprintex Limited, a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, specializing in the development and manufacture of patented superchargers used worldwide in the automotive and related industries. Mr. Siemens resides in Hong Kong with his wife Yvonne. He enjoys tennis, sailing, and golf.
Richard Siemens
Chairman, Distacom,
Founder, Hutchison Telephone,
Rashmi Kilam
