Chairman and CEO
Exact Sciences | Madison
As an entrepreneur, Kevin Conroy is chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences, a Madison-based company known for its innovative cancer screening and diagnostic tests. Under Conroy’s leadership, the company has seen significant growth and expanded its impact on early cancer detection. Conroy joined Exact Sciences in 2009 and has since overseen the company’s development and commercialization of the Cologuard test, a non-invasive screening option for colorectal cancer, among other screening tests.
Education: Bachelor’s, Michigan State University; J.D., University of Michigan Law School
Highlights from the past 12 months: “Exact Sciences celebrated two huge milestones. We just celebrated the 10th anniversary of the approval of Cologuard. People have now used Cologuard more than 16 million times. We also recognized the 20th anniversary of Oncotype DX, a test to help cancer patients and their doctors understand what treatment options are right for them.”
Favorite Wisconsin destination: “The lakes here in Madison.”
First and most recent concert: “First concert: The Romantics in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Most recent: Hozier at Breese Stevens Field.”
Traits you seek for new hires: “Curiosity. Someone who is naturally curious tends to be eager to learn, adaptable, and driven to explore new ideas or solutions. This mindset not only helps them grow personally, it also brings fresh perspectives and innovation to the team.”
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Emerging Industries | Startups
Chairman and CEO
Exact Sciences | Madison
Kevin Conroy joined Exact Sciences at a turning point for the then-Boston-based cancer diagnostics company. After securing a licensing agreement with the Mayo Clinic in 2009, Exact Sciences appointed Conroy as chief executive officer and president and relocated its headquarters to Madison. Conroy has led the company as it has gained FDA premarket approval for its flagship product, Cologuard (a colon cancer screening product), built a massive lab and warehouse facility and closed on several major mergers and acquisitions. Earlier this year, the company announced a $350 million plan to expand its Madison campuses to accommodate its rapid growth. But in November the company said it would lay off 350 employees, including 250 in Wisconsin. Exact has more than 6,500 employees, about 3,500 of them are based in Madison.
Education: Bachelor’s, Michigan State University; J.D., University of Michigan Law School
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?”
“I was a swim instructor at the YWCA in Flint, Michigan. I taught senior members of our community how to overcome their fears by helping them get comfortable in the water and eventually swim on their own.”
What are some of your favorite destinations/places to visit?
“My wife and I did a cycling trip in Croatia several months ago. The scenery was breathtaking, and we enjoyed taking it in, along with the local culture, as we rode along the coastline.”
What is your favorite Wisconsin restaurant and what do you order there?
“My favorite restaurant is Sardine in Madison. I love the Sardine burger.”
What was your first car? How long did you drive it for?
“My first car was a Chevy Chevette. I drove it for two years before it was passed down to another one of my siblings.”
If you could take a one-year sabbatical, what would you do?
“I’d work for the government in health care policy with the goal of making improvements to our health care system.”
What advice would you give to a young professionals?
“I tell our interns at Exact Sciences not to overlook the benefits of being a good writer. By that, I mean writing both clearly and concisely. I learned the importance of that early in my law career when writing briefs, and it’s stuck with me ever since.”
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
“Travel to Africa and the Middle East.”
What has you most excited about the future?
“The role of diagnostics in the earlier detection of cancer. At Exact Sciences, we’re developing a blood-based test that will detect multiple forms of cancer, many of which today have no routine screening. In line with President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, we are working to end cancer as we know it.”
