Chicago Life Sciences, Quantum Computing and Biotech

Steven Collens is CEO of MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub. MATTER opened in February 2015 and nurtures entrepreneurs and innovators building next-generation health IT, medical device, diagnostic and biopharma technologies. MATTER has worked with more than 800 healthcare technology ventures and the company partners with dozens of industry-leading companies, health systems and universities. Prior to assuming his current role, Steven was senior vice president at Pritzker Group, the investment firm led by Tony and J.B. Pritzker. In that capacity, he led the team that created 1871, Chicago’s center for digital startups, which became the top-ranked business incubator in the world in 2018. He previously worked at Abbott in a variety of domestic and international functions, including product management, policy and public affairs. In 2005, Steven helped found ConstantWellness.com to give patients control over their health data and allow healthcare providers to coordinate care of their patients. Prior to Abbott, Steven served as legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun. Steven holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BA from Washington University in St. Louis. He chairs the board of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and serves on the boards of 1871 and the Chicago High School for the Arts. He is a member of ChicagoNEXT, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s council on technology and innovation, a Leadership Greater Chicago fellow, and a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Allyson Hansen, MHA, CPXP has an extensive career leading complex healthcare organizations and ensuring they reach their potential in delivering high quality care while elevating the patient experience, improving operational efficiency and ensuring financial stability. As the CEO & Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District (IMD), Hansen leads with responsibility for strategic planning, vision, growth and daily operations. She is also tasked with fostering relationships and collaboration among partners and stakeholders across the 560 acre healthcare ecosystem. As the Chief Executive Hansen guides the District during a time of explosive growth and creativity, supporting a vibrant healthcare ecosystem that includes four anchor medical institutions and more than 40 health-related facilities. As a seasoned executive with over 20 years’ experience in academic, community and national healthcare systems, Hansen brings extensive experience in strategy development and execution, operational improvement and partnerships to the IMD. Hansen has the proven ability to successfully analyze an organization's critical business requirements, identify deficiencies and potential opportunities, and develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for enhancing competitiveness and improving performance. She moves easily from vision and strategy to implementation and follow-through, building in project management, accountability and managing for daily improvement practices to ensure goal attainment. Hansen developed expertise in planning and administering healthcare services across Chicago land at UChicago Medicine, Loyola Health System, UI Health and Advocate Health Care. Prior to joining the IMD, she was Managing Partner of The Red Penny Group, advising national healthcare systems, medical groups and investors on growth, integration, operations and strategic plans. Hansen holds a Master of Health Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Carolina, and is trained in Lean Six Sigma, change management and is a certified Patient Experience Professional. She is trained in Co- Active Coaching and is a graduate of the Disney Institute for Healthcare Leadership. Hansen is an active volunteer and advises emerging leaders and supports their career growth in the Menttium corporate mentoring network. Hansen lives in west suburban La Grange, where she serves on the community advisory council of Lyons Township High School.

Kate oversees the Strategy team and leads the discipline’s effort to craft thoughtful positioning recommendations for clients across real estate, corporate, and product marketing. This includes in-depth market research, facilitating comprehensive client intake workshops, and developing the strategic foundation for entire brand campaigns. Kate is a charismatic team leader with an intimate knowledge of Neoscape’s clients. She purposefully asks the right questions to dig deeper and ensure strategic plans align with client objectives, setting their projects, brands, and products on a trajectory of success. A few notable life science projects Kate has developed a strategic foundation for include, locally, Beacon Capital Properties - 2 Harbor, King Street Properties - Pathway, Allston Labworks, 101 Cambridgepark Drive, and Boylston Properties - 100 Forge. Nationally, she has worked on Texas Medical Center (Houston, TX), Deerfield - Cure at 345 Park Avenue South (New York, mNY), Trammell Crow Company - Science Square (Atlanta, GA), and many more. She is co-chair of the Women of Neoscape group and an active member of ULI New York’s Young Leaders Group.