The HERstory Gala is the premier event for our chapter and its supporters. This elegant event attracts men and women from industry, government, non-profit organizations, and academia across the Capital Region Metro Area. It provides unique opportunities to meet with some of the region’s most successful women. This event focuses on highlighting women trailblazers in the life sciences who have made a significant impact in the region.

The ticket price includes a cocktail reception with an open bar, a seated dinner, and networking with biotech industry leaders in the Capital Region. Organizations purchasing tables will be acknowledged in the program and during the opening remarks.

Entree Choices include (please select at registration):

• Roasted Breast of Chicken with Roasted Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Pearl Onions, and Mushroom Jus (Gluten Free)
• Coriander Crusted Salmon with Pearl Couscous and Mango Salsa (Gluten Free)
• Braised Beef Short Rib with Parsnip Whipped Potatoes and Natural Pan Jus (Gluten Free)
• Cauliflower Risotto with Yellow Curry, Coconut Milk, Spinach, and Fine Herbs (Vegan & Gluten Free)
  

Notes:

• The dress code for this event is business casual. 
  

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Cocktails & Networking
7:00 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. Welcome, Introduction, and Seated Dinner
7:50 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Speaker Intro and Keynote Addresses
8:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Q&A with Audience
8:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Rising Star Award Presentation
9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Continued Networking & Group Pictures

Helen Sabzevari, PhD,  President and CEO of Precigen

Dr. Helen Sabzevari is President and CEO of Precigen, a gene and cell therapy company, and a member of the Precigen Board of Directors and Kinnate Board of Directors. Dr. Sabzevari brings extensive expertise in research and development of immunotherapy-based therapeutics as well as experience translating novel treatments from pre-clinical stage into the clinic. From 2015 to 2017, Dr. Sabzevari co-founded and served as Chief Scientific Officer of Compass Therapeutics, a fully- integrated drug discovery and development company focused on manipulating the immune system to treat human disease. From 2008 to 2014, Dr. Sabzevari served as Senior Vice President of Immuno-Oncology as well as Global Head of Immunotherapy, Oncology, Global Research, and Early Development at Merck KGaA/EMD Serono, Darmstadt, Germany. During her tenure, she led the immuno-oncology discovery and early development translational innovation platform and brought forward numerous pre-clinical and clinical assets, including avelumab, an approved anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitor. From 1998 to 2008, Dr. Sabzevari led the Molecular Immunology Group at the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology at the US National Cancer Institute (LTIB-NCI), where she focused on the design, development, and delivery of novel vaccines and immunotherapies for a range of human cancers.

Dr. Sabzevari’s contributions in the field of tumor immunology earned her the National Institutes of Health (NIH) merit award for a major contribution to the field of cancer immunotherapy. She has also received the Mass High Tech’s Women to Watch Award, the PharmaVOICE 100 Award (2013 and 2022) and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Team Science Award for her work on the NCI Cancer Immunotherapy Program Team. Most recently, Dr. Sabzevari was recognized on the Forbes 50 over 50: The Visionary List, Maryland’s Top 100 Women by The Daily Record, and PM360’s Elite 100 in the Strategists category. Dr. Sabzevari received her doctorate in cell and molecular immunology and completed her postdoctoral work at the Department of Immunology at the Scripps Research Institute, working on various immunotherapeutic modalities in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Kelly Schulz, CEO of Maryland Tech Council

Kelly Schulz is a mother, wife, and successful small business owner, and she served seven years in Governor Hogan’s administration as the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Commerce. In her most recent role as Secretary of Commerce, Kelly oversaw the state’s primary economic development agency, responsible for attracting new businesses, job growth, and workforce development. Under Kelly’s leadership, the department also served as the largest resource to provide financial assistance to struggling Maryland companies adversely impacted by COVID-19. Prior to entering her career in public service, Kelly was always focused on her community. While raising her boys, Kelly put herself through college and worked as a server and bartender in the evenings and on weekends, yet always made time to serve on the school PTA and to volunteer with Brandon and Bradley’s sports teams. Kelly went on to work as a program manager for a defense contractor and then became a partner in opening a small business – a cybersecurity firm. Wanting to continue to serve her community, Kelly was successfully elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Frederick County. As a Delegate, Kelly took her knowledge and experience as a small businesswoman and served on the Economic Matters Committee, where she focused on legislation relating to banks and other financial institutions, business occupations and professions, economic development, labor and employment, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation.

Recognized by newly-elected Governor Hogan for her knowledge and expertise on economic matters, she was appointed as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) in 2015. At DLLR, Kelly managed nearly 2,000 employees and oversaw an annual budget of $375 million.
Under her leadership, Maryland’s apprenticeship program grew to its highest level since 2008, with more than 10,000 apprentices statewide, and received national recognition as one of the top programs in America. Additionally, Kelly worked tirelessly to work with businesses regulated within the department to have a clear voice on how to work successfully within the state as a partner as opposed to the preexisting adversarial relationship. In 2018, after Governor Hogan’s reelection, Kelly assumed her role in the Department of Commerce, where she continued her positive approach to building relationships with a variety of industries to improve their opportunities within the state. Kelly likes to promote Prosperity with a Purpose – bringing more opportunities to the state has an effect on those who would not otherwise have opportunities. Kelly currently lives in Frederick County, Maryland, with her husband John Nowell.

Pricing Information

Register by April 7, 2024

• Members: $95
• Student Members: $40
• Non-Members*: $135
• Table of Eight: $910 

Register after April 7, 2024

• Members: $110
• Student Members: $55
• Non-Members*: $150
• Table of Eight: $990 
  

Special Pricing for Guests

Members can register guests at member pricing.

Registration Deadline

April 25, 2024

Walk-Ins Accepted?

No. Be sure to register early!

Maximum Capacity

200

Parking Information

Parking is complementary at the hotel.

Directions from Public Transit

Marriott North Bethesda Hotel & Conference Center is a 5-minute walk from the North Bethesda Metro station on the Red Line.

Sponsor

RSVP on LinkedIn

Pricing Information

• Members: Free
• Non-members*: Free
  

*Not a Member? Click here to learn about the benefits of a WIB Membership — access to our video library, mentorship groups, and more.   

Maximum Capacity

100

Walk-Ins Accepted?

Yes, walk-ins will be accepted until event capacity is reached.