Lisa Johnson will be the new chief executive officer of BioForward Inc., succeeding Laura Bray, who has decided to leave the position as of May 1.
BioForward is the member-driven Wisconsin affiliate of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), and Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed).
Johnson has served since 2011 as vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Johnson will assume the role of CEO of Madison-based BioForward on May 4.
“Lisa’s extensive experience and passion for improving Wisconsin’s life science economy position her well to have an immediate impact. She brings a deep understanding of Wisconsin’s life science industry, and a strong track record building the industry at its base in Madison, as well as expanding it throughout the state,” said Joe Hammer, BioForward board chair. “The board has worked to ensure a seamless transition in leadership to serve current and future members.”
“I am excited and ready to continue BioForward’s mission of connecting, educating, and advocating for Wisconsin’s life science economy,” Johnson said. “A key to our success will be promoting our broad base of industry and university assets and collaborating across our other leading sectors, such as health care IT and water. We must demonstrate the power and value of our assets to provide opportunities to our companies and bring investments into the state.”
Prior to joining the WEDC, Johnson spent 22 years in the biotech industry where she held executive business development and operational roles with Novagen, Inc, a successful life science tools company started in Madison and later acquired by Merck KGaA/EMD. During her 10 years with Merck she traveled extensively developing global partnerships for EMD-Novagen.
Bray accepted the position at the helm of BioForward last September after a decade as executive director of the Menomonee Valley Partners in Milwaukee. BioForward did not provide an explanation for her departure, and Bray could not be reached for comment today.
The WEDC has had substantial turnover in several of its key leadership positions in the past two years.
