Sponsored by:

UW Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology

BioForward and sponsors will welcome guests to the event.

Advancing U.S. Leadership Through Regional Innovation: Wisconsin’s Role in the EDA’s Tech Hubs Program

Cristina Killingsworth, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, will deliver a keynote address highlighting the pivotal role of Wisconsin’s Biohealth Tech Hub in advancing U.S. leadership in critical technologies. As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Tech Hubs initiative, this session will explore how regional innovation ecosystems, like Wisconsin’s biohealth sector, are key to strengthening national competitiveness, fostering cutting-edge technologies, and creating high-quality jobs. Killingsworth will also provide insights into the EDA’s strategic vision and discuss why Wisconsin’s assets and leadership make it a vital player in the future of personalized medicine and biotechnology manufacturing.

Speaker:

Cristina Killingsworth, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, U.S. Economic Development Administration

Sponsored by:

Madison College

Sponsored by:

IDBS

Speaker:

Lisa Johnson, CEO, BioForward

Promega-Powered by Exploration to Change the World

As a proud supporter of scientists worldwide for over 45 years, Promega has been at the forefront of delivering innovative solutions—from drug discovery to forensic applications, and ensuring the safety and quality of food, water, and the environment. Promega is a shining example of the strength and resilience of Wisconsin’s Biohealth industry. However, true progress requires more than past success; it demands boldness, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of process improvements. Join us at this year’s summit to hear from our keynote speaker about how Promega continues to evolve, including the integration of AI platforms to better serve its global customers and partners.

Speaker:

Sara Mann, VP Commercial Excellence, Promega

Sponsored by:

Findorff

Sponsored by:

Faith Technologies

Pioneering Sustainability through Innovation

Conventional wisdom says healthcare is stodgy, dated, and ripe for disruption. But what if a health system wasn’t only embracing innovation, but was the source and mechanism for change? That’s what Emplify Health (formerly Bellin & Gundersen Health System) has been doing for over a decade. Join Emplify and EDGE leaders to experience parallel stories of success—how their sustainability journey saves patients millions of dollars annually and has made Emplify one of the most energy autonomous health care systems in the world; and, how Emplify’s innovation arm has incubated those sustainability initiatives and others—keeping Emplify on the cutting Edge and generating revenue to support its vision of thriving people and healthy communities.

Speaker:

Nathan Franklin, Vice President of External Affairs and Sustainability, Emplify Health

Corey Zarecki, Founder & Managing Director, Edge

Greg Lapoint, Chief Executive Officer, Edge

Dallas Wait, Senior Consultant, Strategy & Innovation, Emplify Health

Sponsored by:

CTaccess

Turning Corporate Sustainability Goals into Project-Level Actions

A growing number of organizations are adopting broad sustainability goals to align with regulations and growing pressure across the industry. After these goals are set, the next step is to define what to do with them. Buildings represent an important intervention point for action, and this session will explore how project teams can effectively translate high-level sustainability goals into practical actions.

Speakers:

Ben Austin, Sustainability Manager, Findorff

Kimberly Reddin, Principal, Director of Sustainability, Flad Architects

Jeff Bartels, Manager, Facilities Engineering, Exact Sciences

Dan Motl, Sr. Consultant, Promega

David Lumby, Executive Director, EHS, ThermoFisher- PPD

Sponsored by:

Westphal & Company

The Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub Today: Projects’ Implementation & Strategic Goals

Join us for an insightful session led by Wendy Harris as we delve into the latest developments within the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub. Learn more about the projects behind the Phase 2 award, how funding is allocated, and the strategic goals of the WI Biohealth Tech Hub.

Speakers:

Wendy Harris, Regional Innovation Officer, BioForward/WI Biohealth Tech Hub

Idella Kangas, Director, Economic and Employer Engagement, Universities of Wisconsin

Mark Thomas, Chief Strategy Officer, Madison College

Grace Klein, Tech Hubs Program Officer, U.S. Economic Development Administration

Sponsored by:

UW-Madison School of Pharmacy, Applied Drug Development Program

Fourth Annual Biohealth Communications Competition

The Annual Biohealth Communications Competition continues to aid Wisconsin’s young biohealth leaders in developing critical skills to discuss advanced topics with the general public. 

Undergraduates:

Foster Boom, UW-Whitewater
Ritisha Dey & Domonique Olivia Valle, UW-Milwaukee
Matthew Dubin, UW-Madison
Shaun Harrigton, UW-Milwaukee
Jadyn Hartwig, UW-Eau Claire

Graduates:

Emmanuella Dwomo Agyei, Medical College of Wisconsin
Mindy Kim, Medical College of Wisconsin
Grant Nickles, UW-Madison
Claire Radtke, Marquette University
Kendra Wyant, UW-Madison

Sponsored by:

Automated Logic

Lunch Sponsored by:

ACROBiosystems

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Celebrate the accomplishments of the 2024 Wisconsin Biohealth Award Winners!

Since 2015, BioForward has been honoring outstanding scientific and business accomplishments in the biohealth sector every year.

2024 Business Achievement Award Winner- Sue Wallace

2024 Hector F. DeLuca Award Winner- Cecilia Hillard

Learn about the 2024 Winners

Emerging Growth Company Presentations

Step into the future of biohealth. This dynamic session showcases the cutting-edge solutions and groundbreaking innovations from Wisconsin’s most promising start-ups and early-stage companies. Discover how these trailblazing enterprises are transforming the biohealth landscape, driving progress, and setting new standards in the industry. Be inspired by their vision, witness their ingenuity, and explore the exciting potential they bring to Wisconsin’s thriving biohealth ecosystem.

Speakers:

Shayna Hetzel, VP, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, WEDC

Lalitha Ramamoorthy, Founder and CEO, Nelambos

Howard Teeter, Chief Financial Officer, AdvantiGen Biosciences

Amani Gillette, Founder and CEO, SeLight

Maria Clara Ruiz Zapata, Research Director, Vaxthera LLC

Brian Volkman, Co-Founder, XLock Biosciences, LLC

Sponsored by:

Kraemer Brothers

Leading with Purpose: ESG Adoption and Best Practices in Biohealth

Discover the transformative power of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the biohealth industry with our expert-led panel discussion. ESG matters more and more in today’s evolving industry. This session will explore the importance of ESG to biohealth companies and help you learn best practices to take your reporting past compliance to meet the future of the industry. 

• Learn how to diversify your suppliers to meet DEI goals and grow the local supply chain


• Attract investors and lenders through the development of a strong corporate responsibility


• Meet and exceed ESG reporting requirements


• Maintain safe, ethical, and sustainable facilities


• Build a competitive advantage through strengthening of corporate brand to customers, investors, and the community


• Drive recruitment and improve work culture

Improving ESG programming and reporting is critical to meeting and exceeding the expectations of your customers and your investors to drive sustainable growth, so don’t miss this informative panel.

Speakers:

Sarah Slack, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP

Kamaljit Jackson, Director, Wisconsin Minority Business Development Agency

Dustin Andre, Packaging Sustainability Specialist, MilliporeSigma

Michael Cohen, Sr. Director and Lead of Environmental Sustainability, ThermoFisher- PPD

Sponsored by:

Foley & Lardner LLP

Going Nuclear to Fight Cancer

Back by popular demand!  Two years ago we introduced you to the theranostics market chain of WI companies working together to beat cancer.   Join us this year to discover how their partners in research and the clinic are tackling complexity to make hard things look easy and to reach patients fast with new life-saving treatments. This panel of world-class leaders in theranostics will describe how they’re teaming up to accelerate translational research and clinical implementation to improve and extend lives.

Speakers:

Sue Wallace, CEO, Voximetry

Reinier Hernandez, Assistant Professor of Medical Physics and Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Stephen Graves, Assistant Professor, University of Iowa

Carri Glide-Hurst, Director, Radiation Oncology Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Sponsored by:

BWBR

UW-Madison College of Engineering Office of Corporate Relations

Harnessing the Power of International Partnerships in Biohealth

Join us for an enlightening session on the impactful role of international partnerships in the biohealth industry, with a special focus on collaborations with France and the fast-growing region of Burgundy/Franche Comté and its theranostics ecosystem. Discover how this aligns with Wisconsin’s Biohealth Tech Hub focus on personalized medicine and how biohealth companies can successfully leverage these global connections to drive innovation and expand market reach. Our panel of experts will share insights into existing partnerships, offering strategies to cultivate and strengthen the international collaborations that are critical to becoming a global tech hub.

Speakers:

Stéphane Gerart, Deputy CSO/CIO, Oncodesign

Nicolas Paris, CEO, Gilson

Nicolas Soret, Vice President, Economy and innovation, Burgundy/Franche Comté Region, France

Sponsored by:

Mortenson Construction

Celebrate the success of the biohealth industry, while enjoying networking with industry peers.

The vendor space will still be open with a special focus on careers for student attendees.

Sponsored by:

CG Schmidt Construction