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President

Allison Lewis

Allison Lewis serves as Senior Vice President, People and Culture at Cidara Therapeutics. She has over 15 years of diverse Human Resources experience primarily in the life sciences industry, across all stages of development and commercialization. Allison received her bachelor’s degree in Business from University of Florida and holds designations as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP).

Vice President

Aimee Hutman

Aimee is currently a Director, HR Business Partner at Agios Pharmaceuticals.  Aimee has 13+ years HR experience working for biotechs in multiple and progressive roles. Aimee holds an MBA from Cal State San Marcos as well as HR certifications including PHR, SHRM-CP and is working towards her CCP.

Secretary

Hypatia Tong

Hypatia brings more than 5 years of experience in HR – from recruitment to general functions.  She is currently the Compensation and Benefits Manager at Crinetics Pharmaceuticals.

Treasurer

Steven Beck

Steven has over 20 years of Business Operations and HR experience in the Life Sciences/Pharmaceutical industry working in a variety of HR functions from HR Business Partner, Generalist, and Talent Acquisition and currently serves as the Senior Human Resources Manager at Neurocrine Biosciences.

Programs Co-Chair

Allison Hernandez

Allison Hernandez is the Associate Director, Human Resources at Kura Oncology in San Diego. She has over 15 years of progressive experience within HR in the tech and life sciences space. Allison holds a designation as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and has served on the LifeHR Board since 2016.

Programs Co-Chair

Phyllis Balan

Phyllis Balan is currently an advisor to growing life science companies with a focus on developing first-time managers. She has led the People function for several life science companies and is experienced in in all aspects of human resources, including talent management, talent acquisition, total rewards, and organizational development. She has also been a leader and consultant with several Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller, privately-held companies. Phyllis holds a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from Michigan State University as well as an MA from San Diego State University in Educational Technology (training).

Membership Co-Chair

Laura Featherstone

Laura is an experienced Human Resources professional currently serving as the Director of Human Resources at MBrace Therapeutics. With over two decades of experience in the HR field, she has held various leadership roles, including Director of Human Resources at Kate Therapeutics and Associate Director of Human Resources at Locanabio, Inc. Laura has a strong background in managing HR operations, developing effective policies, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. She holds a SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification and has extensive experience in employee relations, talent management, and compliance.

Membership Co-Chair

Amy Bergen

Amy is currently the Vice President of Business Development for The Leadership Edge, and advises leaders, managers, and teams on how to remove barriers to success and accelerate their performance.

Membership Co-Chair

Jimmy Yaji

Jimmy Yaji is an accomplished Talent Acquisition and Human Resource professional, whose career is marked by his ability to develop and implement effective recruitment strategies, support employee relations, and enhance organizational visibility.

Compensation Co-Chair

Gina Snyder

Gina is an accomplished HR professional with over 6 years of experience at Regulus Therapeutics. Currently serving as the Sr. Manager of Operations & Human Resources Administration, she excels in developing and implementing HR policies, managing the employee lifecycle, and fostering a positive workplace culture. Gina's previous roles include Manager of Operations & HR Administration and HR Assistant at Regulus Therapeutics, as well as HR & Operations Manager at Kohl's. She holds a Master's degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Arizona State University. 

Compensation Co-Chair

Jennifer Patterson

Jennifer is an experienced HR executive currently leading HR at Continuum Therapeutics. She began her career as a Mental Health Therapist in Kern County before transitioning into HR roles. Jennifer previously served as VP, Head of HR at Longboard Pharmaceuticals, guiding it through a $2.6 billion acquisition. She holds a Master's in Counseling Psychology and certifications in HR Analytics and Talent Acquisition.

Communications Co-Chair

 Marcky Biehl

 Marcky is the Associate Director of Talent Acquisition at Janux Therapeutics in San Diego, California. With a strong background in human resources, Marcky has held various roles at Janux, including Senior Human Resources Manager and Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition. Before joining Janux, Marcky worked at HUYABIO International and Brio Resource Group, specializing in talent acquisition for the  biopharmaceutical industry. Marcky's early career includes positions at Host Healthcare, Home Care Assistance, and Creel Industries.

Communications Co-Chair

Stephanie Baseley

Stephanie is a seasoned HR professional with over 15 years of experience. She is currently the Director of People Operations at DermTech. Prior to DermTech, Stephanie worked as an HR Consultant in the Greater San Diego Area, where she supported clients including Conatus Pharmaceuticals. She began her human resources career at Shilo Design as the AP/HR Manager and has experience as a Flight Attendant with Southwest Airlines and in a clerical role at The Home Depot. Her diverse background and comprehensive skill set make her a highly effective HR leader.