Mid-Atlantic Life Sciences & Biotech Summit

Travis McCready is the head of life sciences markets in the Americas for JLL, one of the largest commercial real estate advisories in the world. In this capacity, he leads a multi-country platform that includes brokerage, capital markets, project management, consulting & advisory, and valuation services for life sciences companies, developers and investors. He also co-leads the firms Innovation Districts Practice, helping plan, build and finance innovation districts all over North America. Travis has over 25 years of experience leading public, private, and non-profit ventures with a focus on technology and innovation based economic development. The former President & CEO of the $1.6 billion life sciences funding agency Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Travis is passionate about supporting tech-based entrepreneurship and is a frequent speaker on the evolving role of technology-based economic development at the community and regional level. He remains active in the life sciences community serving on the boards of the global business accelerator MassChallenge, the global life sciences business enabler Nucleate, and Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. He also serves in advisory capacities at Harvard University, MIT, and Johns Hopkins University. No stranger to public service, Travis has served on the Economic Development Planning Council under three Massachusetts governors, has been appointed to state and national initiatives ranging from the arts to advanced manufacturing. Travis received his B.A. in Philosophy from Yale University, and J.D. from the University of Iowa.

Helena Kondow-McConaghy, Ph.D. is the Business Development Manager for the Life Sciences in the Prince William County Department of Economic Development. Helena works with prospective life science and biotech companies moving to the County, either with building a new facility or moving into one of two existing wet lab facilities, the Prince William County Accelerator or the Northern Virginia Bioscience Center. She also manages the IGNITE Startup Program Grant, which supports innovation-driven startups in the County, and is co-director of the Northern Virginia BioHub, one of the regional hubs established through Virginia Bio’s VA Bio-Connect program. Prior to her role in the County, Helena was an Oak Ridge Institute for Science & Education (ORISE) Fellow in the Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Helena received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University.

Ulyana Desiderio currently serves as the Director of BioHealth and Life Sciences for the Maryland Department of Commerce. She leads efforts that support the growth of Maryland’s life sciences community, including job creation, capital investment and new business formation. Prior to joining Commerce, Ulyana served as Chief Scientific Officer for the American Society of Hematology, the largest international medical association dedicated to blood diseases. Ulyana holds Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and is an alumna of the Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Brad Stewart is a serial biotech entrepreneur working to grow Montgomery County, Maryland’s economy. At the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, he leads strategy and innovation and also an expert team of economic development specialists focused on growing a diverse cross-section of businesses—including the life sciences, technology, cybersecurity, defense and hospitality. He chaired Maryland Life Sciences for a decade, the State affiliate of BIO, and is currently Chair of the Maryland Tech Council. Previously, Brad served as Chief Executive Officer of Immunology Partners and Chief Executive Officer of Cylex, Inc., where he executed a turnaround for an early-stage, venture capital-backed company (Roche, Siemens, Canaan Partners). 

Dr. Anne Khademian was named to serve as the Universities at Shady Grove’s third executive director in October 2020, following a nationwide search and her appointment to the post by Dr. Jay Perman, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland. As executive director of USG – a regional higher education center of USM in Montgomery County, with programs from nine universities on one campus – Dr. Khademian also holds the title of Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for USM. Before joining USG, Dr. Khademian served most recently as a Presidential Fellow and professor at Virginia Tech, where she enjoyed a stellar 17-year career that included several years as director of the School of Public and International Affairs. A longtime resident of Montgomery County, Maryland, she served in her presidential fellowship in Virginia Tech’s Research Center in Arlington, near Washington, D.C. In that capacity, she supported the collaborative implementation of “Beyond Boundaries” initiatives, working across the university’s campuses and stakeholder committees to support organizational innovation and growth. With nearly three decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Khademian is a nationally recognized scholar and author in the areas of inclusive leadership and organizational change. As director of the School of Public and International Affairs in Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies for seven years, she led the school through a period of significant growth and transformation, including the introduction of new academic degrees and programs; increased student enrollment; new faculty hires; forging of new global partnerships and initiatives; and extended outreach into the local community. Dr. Khademian’s research focuses on leadership and organizational culture, inclusive management, policy networks, and the work of organizations involved in homeland security and financial regulation. She is the author of three books: Working with Culture: The Way the Job Gets Done in Public Programs (CQ Press, 2002); Checking on Banks: Autonomy and Accountability in Three Federal Agencies (Brookings, 1996); and The SEC and Capital Market Regulation: The Politics of Expertise (University of Pittsburgh Press 1992). She has also published numerous articles on public management and public policy. Dr. Khademian is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan organization established by Congress to assist government leaders in building more-effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent organizations. As part of her leadership in the community, Dr. Khademian serves on the boards of both the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. She is also on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, National Capital Region for the Montgomery, Howard and Frederick Counties Chapter and the Board of Directors for Smart City Works. In addition, she is a member of the Leadership Montgomery CORE Class of 2023. Dr. Khademian holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from Michigan State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science and Government from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a cross country and track star while at Michigan State and in 2016 she was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Dr. Khademian also hosts a video podcast series called "This is USG" and an audio podcast entitled "AKA Innovation," which showcases innovative leadership and business practices that can help to drive transformation and innovation in education.

Aaron Kutner is MetLife Investment Management’s Regional Head of Acquisitions & Joint Ventures in the Mid-Atlantic, and previously oversaw regional acquisitions extending north through Boston. Before joining MetLife in 2019, Aaron ran US real estate acquisitions for Paris-based AXA Investment Managers – Real Assets (n/k/a AXA IM-Alts) and served as Vice President at Clarion Partners in New York. Aaron has directly led more than $5.2 billion of real estate investments ranging from core wholly-owned properties and portfolios to opportunistic joint venture developments. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University and a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. He also holds the LEED Green Associate credential from the US Green Building Council.

Greg Capps serves as Managing Director for Longfellow Real Estate Partners, the largest privately held investor and developer of life science buildings in the United States. Mr. Capps oversees the coordination with Longfellow's Partners to set and execute the strategy for the firm's continued growth and presence in North Carolina. To date, Longfellow has developed a North Carolina portfolio of more than 4 million square feet and key assets throughout Research Triangle Park and Durham. Prior to joining Longfellow, Greg held positions with Newmark Knight Frank, Savills Studley, TriProperties, Inc. and JLL.

In his role, Cliff is responsible for real estate transactions including new acquisitions, disposition, capital raising and financing. Cliff develops, expands, and sustains a diverse portfolio of commercial office real estate assets through acquisitions using his vast relationships with banking and investment communities, as well as financial partners, property owners, brokers, and developers. ‍ Cliff’s recent acquisitions include Park Plaza I & II, a 266,077 square foot Class A office complex in Rockville, MD, Three Ballston Plaza, a 330,000 square foot Class A office building located in Arlington, Virginia, and 3141 Fairview Park, a 184,000 square foot office space located in Falls Church, Virginia. Both assets are strategic value-adds to the commercial office portfolio with significant capital improvement and repositioning plans. ‍ Prior to joining Monday Properties, Cliff was the Vice President of Investment Sales at Newmark where he executed nearly $2.5 billion in institutional real estate transactions. Prior to joining Newmark in 2017, Cliff executed both on and off-market acquisitions in gateway and secondary growth markets as a principal for development, redevelopment, repositioning, and investment in the D.C. metro area and on the West Coast. He has more than 12 years of experience in the real estate industry across various positions that include investment banking, acquisitions, development, sales, and investments. ‍ Cliff earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University studying economics, markets and management, and classical studies.

Eli Gurwitz is the Chief Investment Officer at Warren Avenue Investors, a pure player owner, operator, and developer of life sciences real estate. As CIO, Eli oversees all acquisitions, financings, capital raising, joint ventures, developments, dispositions, and asset management. Prior to joining Warren Avenue, Eli opened the Philadelphia office of Gazit Horizons, the private North American subsidiary of Gazit Globe (TSE: GZT). Before Gazit, Eli spent several years with Eastdil Secured, a leading investment sales and real estate investment bank, working on over $3Bn of closed equity and debt transactions. Eli started his career at Federal Realty Investment Trust, where he supported the company’s 102 asset, $13Bn portfolio through underwriting property and strategic corporate initiatives. Eli graduated from the University of Miami.

C.J. Overly is a Senior Project Manager of Development with BXP, formerly Boston Properties, in the Washington, D.C. Region, where he is responsible for the execution of new office, residential, and life science developments. C.J. is currently leading the strategic repositioning, master planning, and project deliveries at the Shady Grove Innovation District, an emerging life science hub with 750K+ SF of future development in Rockville, MD. Prior to Boston Properties, C.J. served in a variety of roles with Trammell Crow Residential, Montgomery County Public Schools (Md.), and JPMorgan Chase. He serves on the board of Maryland Tech Council and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and NAIOP. He received an AA in Business from Montgomery College; a BSBA in Finance from Georgetown University; and, an MBA in Real Estate and Corporate Finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kipton Currier is a social impact executive dedicated to serving missions for the greater good. After a successful career in Manhattan real estate, Kipton made a pivot to the intersection of finance, healthcare, and life sciences. Originally from the tri-city area, Ms. Currier moved back to the Richmond region five years ago and has since launched three major initiatives: a health data analytics firm, a national philanthropic guarantee bank (resourcing the sectors of affordable housing, climate, and small business), and most recently a pharmaceutical manufacturer. In her new role as Vice President of Operations at Activation Capital, Kipton leads real estate strategy, internal operations, and the construction of Activation Capital's 100k square foot Life Science Innovation Center in downtown Richmond's Biotechnology Research Park. Ms. Currier received her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and her MBA from the College of William and Mary.

Brent Amos joined Cooper Carry in 2008 and earned the title of Principal in 2017. Brent leads the Science + Technology Studio in Washington, DC, where he focuses on programming and designing laboratory buildings for industry, education, healthcare, and research. His projects represent a wide range of facility and client types, including basic and physical sciences, biomedical, bioscience, engineering, higher education teaching facilities for private and public institutions, and scientific research institutions. He is adept at collaborating with clients and vendors to create complex facilities that are flexible to adapt to changes in technologies and research endeavors. Brent was a standing reviewer for the NIH CO6 grant program from 2018 to 2021.

As the leader of CannonDesign’s Science + Technology Practice, Stephen Blair brings deep experience at the intersection of management, technology and project delivery. An accomplished project leader and engineer, Steve has spent his career focused on the design of complex, high-performance facilities. His creative approach to integrating all aspects of design enables him to maximize client value across the life and physical sciences in the higher education, government and corporate sectors.

Erica Kimmel leads business development for Life Sciences in the Mid-Atlantic for Gilbane Building Company, where she leverages her technical background as a mechanical engineer to support Gilbane’s growing portfolio of life science projects in Maryland and the DC metro area. In her role, she works closely with operations to enhance and expand client relationships. Erica received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and has been in the construction industry since 2005. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Chesapeake Bay Area Chapter and graduated from Leadership Baltimore County in 2020. Erica is also a Certified Energy Manager and LEED AP.

Susan Mitchell has a 20+-year track record of success delivering grants management, research and evaluation, logistics, and technical assistance solutions to government, industry, and the community. Susan is committed to improving access to and success in education, healthcare, workforce, and economic development. Ms. Mitchell serves on the board of directors for Virginia Career Works and STEM for Her, is a Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce GovCon Committee Chair, and was tapped to serve on the Loudoun County Economic Development Advisory Commission (Life Sciences Sector), appointed by the Board of Supervisors and supports DEIA efforts as the Chair of the Loudoun Chamber Toolkit subcommittee. With innovation, education and empowerment as cornerstones, she leads a team of doctors and scientists dedicated to using their Sterling, Virginia CLIA diagnostic testing lab as an asset for the progression of therapeutic developments. She and her team are a driving force behind social and health equity endeavors that positively impact population health, product commercialization, and pipeline development.

Mr. Germain has senior responsibility for executing the overall strategy of the Company. His responsibilities include sourcing and originations investment opportunities, oversight of underwriting and due diligence, transaction structuring and execution, development project management, operations, and asset management. Prior to co-founding MCB Science + Health, Mr. Germain served as Senior Investment Officer, Investments for Ventas, Inc., an S&P 500 company and real estate investment trust that owns and manages healthcare, life science, MOB and senior living properties in North America and the United Kingdom. As a former member of the Ventas senior leadership team, Germain was responsible for investments within the growing university, life science, research and innovation center portfolio, the Company’s #1 capital priority. Since inception, Germain helped grow this portfolio to over $4 billion and over 7MM SF through acquisitions and developments. Responsible for originating, negotiating, and executing acquisitions and development opportunities, Germain has been involved in more than $20 billion completed real estate transactions during his tenure at Ventas. Germain joined Ventas in 2006. Prior to overseeing the university, life science, research, and innovation center platform, he served as Director of Acquisitions and Investments for Lillibridge Healthcare Services, a fully integrated medical office building (MOB) operating company, completing in excess of $4BN in transactions. His earlier roles at Ventas included asset management of the Company’s MOB and outpatient portfolio where he oversaw operations including joint venture partnerships, third-party property management, leasing, buildouts, loan compliance, operating and capital budgeting and financial reporting, as well as roles in acquisitions and corporate finance. He began his career at General Electric Capital Corporation in the Financial Management Program (FMP). Germain is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a dynamic network of university research parks and innovation district industry leaders. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute’s University Development and Innovation Council. Germain is a member of the Real Estate Executives Council (REEC). He served as a member of the Board of Phase 1 Ventures (P1V) from 2016 to 2022, a program from the Philadelphia Science Center which matches proven entrepreneurs with academic scientists to help move ideas from the lab to the marketplace by strategically contributing expertise and funding to the commercialization process. He also served as a Steering Committee member for the Global Institute on Innovation Districts (GIID) from 2019 to 2022. He serves as Vice President of the Board of High Jump, a non- profit organization that aims to equalize access to education for Chicago middle school

Mr. Fischer is a Principal and Managing Director with Trammell Crow Company and an integral part of the company’s comprehensive healthcare, life sciences and senior living development and investment initiatives. He serves as a national healthcare product specialist for the firm, keeping healthcare development teams across the country stay abreast of national trends and best practices. Additionally, he directly oversees TCC’s MidAtlantic health and life science developments, which currently include the notable 1.0 million square foot McMillan Redevelopment, the Adventist White Oak Medical and Oncology Pavilion, the National Harbor I and II medical office buildings, the John Carlyle Center for Wellness and Healthcare, the Falls Church Center for Wellness, the Balfour at Palisades, and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s 970,000 square-foot Medical and Surgical Pavilion. Mr. Fischer has held various leadership positions in investment management within the healthcare industry since 1986. Prior to joining Trammell Crow Company in 2005, Mr. Fischer led his consulting practice, Fischer Advisory Partners, through the development of a national healthcare energy platform for US Power and also worked on services syndication for the private funding initiatives of hospitals in the United Kingdom and Germany. Currently, Mr. Fischer serves as Chairman Emeritus for the Urban Land Institute’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Council, as well as numerous Board and civic groups.

As a Senior Development Manager with Stonebridge, Christopher Smith has management responsibilities for a diverse portfolio of development projects in the Washington metropolitan area, including large-scale mixed-use properties and landmark public/private construction initiatives. His experience includes project financial management, design development, project entitlements, and construction administration. Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia. He is a member of the D.C./Maryland Chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP).

Tim O’Connell is a senior principal and director of HOK’s global Science + Technology practice. As a key member of HOK’s office in Washington, D.C., he has more than 25 years of architectural experience with extensive knowledge in lab planning and programming for highly complex projects. Tim has served as lab planner, lab architect, project manager and project architect on numerous research facility projects, including the DC Consolidated Forensic Laboratory Facility, a LEED Platinum building that won the R&D Magazine Lab of the Year Special Mention Award for Collaborative Science. His experience programming and planning lab spaces for corporate and commercial life science clients gives him a unique perspective of the needs of industry and how to shape innovation developments to meet those needs. Tim’s experience working with commercial life sciences developers allows him to help those clients and design teams to program and plan the right innovation facilities and at the right size - developing projects from the inside-out. Tim frequently speaks on the topics of research facilities and scientific workplaces and has been published on the subjects of sustainable design and lab design. His focus on responding to the needs of each unique client and innate understanding of scientific environments has enabled Tim to repeatedly produce innovative design solutions and establish himself as a multifaceted Science + Technology thought leader.

Travis Kowalke joined USP in 2018 to lead the Global Facilities Management group and oversee USP’s 15 global locations. As the Sr. Director, Travis oversees all aspects of facilities operations, security, real estate and operations planning activities including growth and improvement initiatives. Travis has over 20 years in facilities management experience that includes 15 years of experience related to the medical device and pharmaceutical industry. Travis is currently partnering with USP’s Global Health Division by acting as the Chief of Mission for the design and construction of a regulatory testing facility in the Democratic Republic of Congo and partnering with multiple other nations to provide design and construction guidance for laboratory and testing facilities.

Jessica Fitzwater, County Executive, was sworn in on December 5, 2022. Ms. Fitzwater was born and raised in Smithsburg, Maryland, and has been residing in Frederick County for 17 years. A member of the first-ever Frederick County Council, she represented Council District 4 for two terms before being elected County Executive. As a Council Member, she championed numerous pieces of legislation that were enacted on a bipartisan basis, including: repealing the County’s English-only Ordinance, improving affordable workforce housing by strengthening the Housing Initiative Fund, creating a Human Trafficking Task Force, addressing anti-discrimination, and establishing a Climate Emergency Mobilization Work Group. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in music from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and a Master of Science in educational leadership from Hood College. Ms. Fitzwater is also a graduate of Emerge Maryland, a prestigious political leadership program for Democratic women. Prior to being elected County Executive, she was a music teacher with Frederick County Public Schools at Oakdale Elementary for over 16 years, where she also directed an extracurricular chorus. In 2012 Ms. Fitzwater was named one of The Frederick News-Post’s 13 Young Professionals Under 30, in 2014 she was named the National Education Association’s (NEA) Political Activist of the Year, she was named one of the MD Daily Record’s Leading Women in 2015 and is one of the MD Daily Record’s Top 100 Women of 2023. She is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Frederick County Teachers Association, the Frederick Symphony Orchestra, and the Frederick Arts Council.

As the Director of Leasing, JP oversees the day-to-day leasing activities for the Matan Companies’ current portfolio, including all office, lab, and industrial properties throughout the Washington DC metro area. With over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry, JP applies his knowledge, expertise, and client relationship skills to the continued growth and success of Matan Companies. JP holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Fordham University. As a native of Washington DC and graduate of Gonzaga College High School, JP continues to give back to his local community and utilize his knowledge of the DC-metro region to enhance the presence of Matan.