The Healthcare Technology Report is pleased to announce The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of New Jersey for 2022. When it comes to healthcare, New Jersey is something of a paradox. While U.S. News & World Report ranks its healthcare system #4 in the nation based on public health and healthcare access and quality, it also has the highest ratio of people per hospital at over 49,000—more than twice the national average. It may in fact be down to the leaders on this year’s list, who are working tirelessly in both New Jersey and beyond, that the state’s healthcare is so exemplary.
CFO of Johnson & Johnson Joseph Wolk maximizes long-term value for all stakeholders by shaping the company’s financial and investment strategies in order to maximize growth and intelligently manage risk across the enterprise. Ashu Tandon, Chief Commercial Officer of Syngene, leads the business development team and develops new capabilities in marketing, brand building, digital, and account management. And CEO Kevin Ali of Organon is working together with his team to achieve its mission and meet the urgent societal need to deliver impactful medicines and solutions so that women can live healthier lives every day.
The awardees on this year’s list lead a range of companies both large and small specializing in everything from genomic testing to diagnostic imaging, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, and much more. They have successfully guided their companies not just toward accelerated growth, but toward the development of often life-changing healthcare technologies. Please join us in recognizing The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of New Jersey for 2022.
1. Tom Polen
Company: BD
Title: Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Tom Polen is the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of BD, one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world, which is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics, and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of healthcare by developing innovative technology, services, and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical processes for healthcare providers.
BD has a passion and commitment to help improve patient outcomes, improve the safety and efficiency of clinicians’ care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to better diagnose disease, and advance researchers’ capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. Polen has over 18 years of experience in the medical equipment manufacturing industry. Before joining BD, he was a general manager of global injectables at Baxter International Inc. He graduated with an MBA from The Johns Hopkins University—Carey Business School.
2. Joseph Wolk
Company: Johnson & Johnson
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer of Johnson & Johnson, it’s Joseph Wolk’s job to steward the company’s financial health so it can continue to advance the health of people everywhere, while helping those internally and externally understand the impact of the work they do on the lives of all those who depend on them. Johnson & Johnson is the largest and most broadly based healthcare company in the world, employing more than 134,000 team members at 260 companies in more than 60 countries around the world, and Wolk prioritizes the development of these employees—the company’s most valued resource—while always operating with transparency and investing with purposeful intent.
Wolk is also Executive Vice President and serves as a member of Johnson & Johnson’s Executive Committee, heading its world-class Global Finance and Global Services organizations. He sets the company’s financial strategy and makes decisions about driving growth, managing risk across the enterprise, and shaping its investment strategy to maximize long-term value for all its stakeholders. Wolk joined Johnson & Johnson in 1998 and served in various finance roles before assuming his current positions four years ago. He earned a JD from the Temple University—James E. Beasley School of Law and a bachelor of science in finance and accounting from the Saint Joseph’s University—Erivan K. Haub School of Business.
3. Ami Simunovich
Company: BD
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer
Ami Simunovich began her professional career more than 18 years ago. Today, she is the Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer of BD, one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world, which is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics, and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of healthcare by developing innovative technology, services, and solutions that help further both clinical therapy for patients and clinical processes for healthcare providers.
Prior to BD, Simunovich worked as a Pharmacist at CVS Pharmacy. From there, she went on to serve as an Associate in the Litigation & FDA Law practices at Frommer Lawrence & Haug LLP, before eventually becoming associate general counsel of regulatory and compliance at CR Bard, her most recent position before joining BD. Simunovich graduated from the Seton Hall University School of Law with a JD and from Rutgers University–New Brunswick with a Doctor of Pharmacy.
4. Steve Cutler
Company: ICON plc
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Steve Cutler is the Chief Executive Officer of ICON plc. He first joined the company in 2011 as Group President. ICON plc’s mission is to help clients accelerate the development of drugs and devices that save lives and improve quality of life. This is done by delivering best-in-class information, solutions, and performance, with an unyielding focus on quality at all times.
Previously, Cutler was CEO at Kendle International, and before that, a Senior Vice President and Global Head of Project Management at Quintiles Inc. Earlier in his career, he worked with Sandoz as a Clinical Operations and Group Head of SCDC. Cutler earned an undergraduate degree and a doctorate from the University of Sydney, as well as an MBA from the University of Birmingham.
5. Bill Hanlon
Company: Labcorp Drug Development
Title: President CDCS, Clinical Therapeutic & Regulatory Sciences and Chief Scientific Officer
Bill Hanlon is the President CDCS of Clinical Therapeutic & Regulatory Sciences and Chief Scientific Officer of Labcorp Drug Development, a company that is in constant pursuit of answers. With unparalleled diagnostics and drug development capabilities, it accelerates innovation and provides insight to improve health and improve lives.
Prior to joining Labcorp Drug Development, Hanlon was a Vice President and Head of Global Regulatory Affairs at Archimedes Pharma, and before that, a Senior Director of Worldwide Regulatory Affairs at Merck. He is also on the board of trustees of the Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship. He graduated from the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School with a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology and from Rutgers University with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry.
6. Ashu Tandon
Company: Syngene International
Title: Chief Commercial Officer
Ashu Tandon is the Chief Commercial Officer of Syngene International. He first joined the company in 2018. Syngene International Ltd. is an integrated contract research, development, and manufacturing organization providing scientific services from early discovery to commercial supply. Its innovative capabilities for novel molecular entities cater to a wide range of industrial sectors, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutrition, animal health, consumer goods, and specialty chemical companies. Its Discovery Services include conducting early-stage research from target identification to delivery of drug candidates for further development.
Previously, Tandon was Vice President of Global Sales at IQVIA, and before that, Global Head of the Life Sciences-Retail-CPG & Healthcare business for Infosys BPO. Earlier in his career, he worked with Ranbaxy as a senior manager and marketing/brand manager. Tandon earned an MBA in marketing from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, and an undergraduate degree in economics from Delhi University.
7. Kevin Ali
Company: Organon
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Kevin Ali is the Chief Executive Officer of Organon, a company that envisions a better and healthier every day for every woman. The diversity of its business provides a sustainable engine of growth so it can identify and invest in solutions for women. Its mission is to deliver impactful medicines and solutions for a healthier life every day. Organon believes the journey to improve women’s health is critical to achieving a healthier world, and it works tirelessly toward its goal of finding solutions for the healthcare issues that matter most to women, today and every day.
Ali has more than 34 years of experience in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Before joining Organon, he was President of Enterprise Portfolio Strategy at Merck. He graduated from the Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business with an MBA and from the University of California, Berkeley with an undergraduate degree.
8. Amy Landucci
Company: Haleon
Title: Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Amy Landucci is Haleon’s Chief Digital and Technology Officer, a role she’s held since 2021, while the business was still part of GSK. GSK is uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together and manufactures pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. Haleon, meanwhile, is a health company that puts people first and exists to deliver better everyday health with humanity through its portfolio of brands.
Prior to joining GSK in 2017 as Chief Information Officer for Consumer Healthcare, Landucci spent more than a decade at Novartis, where she was most recently the Global Head of Digital Medicines. Prior to this role, she was Chief Information Officer for the Novartis OTC Division. She first joined GSK in 2017 as SVP and Global Head of Consumer Healthcare IT. Landucci was also previously Global Head of Digital Medicines at Novartis, and before that, Senior Manager of Health and Life Sciences, CRM at Accenture. She earned an undergraduate degree in environmental studies from Gustavus Adolphus College.
9. Chirag Patel
Company: Amneal Pharmaceuticals
Title: Co-Founder, President, and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Chirag Patel began his professional career more than 20 years ago. Today, he is the Co-Founder, President, and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, a company that is rapidly becoming one of the most dynamic, purpose-driven pharmaceutical companies delivering more affordable access to essential medicines. Its family of more than 7,000 colleagues delivers for clients through a robust U.S. generics business, a growing branded business, and deepening portfolios in injectables, biosimilars, and select international markets.
Patel founded Amneal with his brother Chintu with the goal of responsibly helping patients live better lives through high-quality, accessible medications. He graduated from New Jersey City University with an undergraduate degree in business administration and was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the university, as well. He also has an undergraduate degree in business and commerce from the H.A. College of Commerce, India.
10. Ken Keller
Company: Daiichi Sankyo
Title: President, Chief Executive Officer, and Head of the Global Oncology Business Unit
Ken Keller is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Head of the Global Oncology Business Unit of Daiichi Sankyo, a company that is dedicated to creating new modalities and innovative medicines by leveraging world-class science and technology for its purpose “to contribute to the enrichment of quality of life around the world.” In addition to its current portfolio of medicines for cancer and cardiovascular disease, Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on developing novel therapies for people with cancer as well as other diseases with high unmet medical needs.
Keller has more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Before joining Daiichi Sankyo, he was President and CEO at American Regent, Inc., and before that, EVP and CEO at Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Earlier in his career, he worked with Amgen as Vice President of Oncology. Keller graduated from Loyola Marymount University with an MBA and from St. John's University with an undergraduate degree in business.
11. William Compton
Company: Integra LifeSciences
Title: Corporate Vice President and Chief Information Officer
William Compton is the Corporate Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Integra LifeSciences, a global leader in neurosurgery that offers a broad portfolio of products and solutions for dural access and repair, cerebral spinal fluid management, and neuro-critical care. Its regenerative tissue technologies include products that address soft tissue, nerve, and tendon repairs, as well as treatments for acute and chronic wounds and burns and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Prior to Integra, Compton served as Director of Information Management at Bristol Myers Squibb, before eventually rising to CIO and Vice President of Shared Services at ConvaTec, his most recent position before joining Integra LifeSciences. Compton graduated from William & Mary–Raymond A. Mason School of Business with an MBA and from East Carolina University with an undergraduate degree in business.
12. Scott Delaney
Company: Unichem Laboratories Limited
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer – Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc.
Scott Delaney began his professional career more than 21 years ago. Today, he is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Unichem Laboratories, which has grown to become one of India's most respected pharmaceutical companies. It is committed to delivering better health through superior products. By combining strategic research and in-depth industry knowledge, Unichem aims to transform itself into a global pharmaceutical drug company with an increasing focus on cutting-edge research and developed markets.
Prior to Unichem, Delaney served as Business Development Manager of Pharmaceutical Purchasing at HEB. From there, he moved on to Teva, before eventually rising to President at Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc., his most recent position before joining Unichem Laboratories. Delaney graduated from Texas McCombs School of Business with an MBA, from Baylor University with an undergraduate degree in accounting, and from The University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree in biology.
13. Ana Bastiani-Posner
Company: Kyowa Kirin
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Ana Bastiani-Posner is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Kyowa Kirin. She first joined the company in 2020. Kyowa Kirin is a global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines. It works the hardest to treat diseases where the need is high and the potential for life-changing impact is possible. Kyowa Kirin works as a collaborative team to understand clinical needs and advance innovations that have a profound impact on patient lives.
Previously, Bastiani-Posner was a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at New York Genome Center, and before that an Associate Vice President of Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis at Allergan. Earlier in her career, she worked with Banco do Brasil S.A. as an Account Manager, Business Manager, and Assistant Manager. She earned an MBA in finance and international management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and an undergraduate degree in business administration from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul.
14. Kirsten Doerfert
Company: Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas
Title: Senior Vice President of Marketing
Kirsten Doerfert is the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas. She first joined the company in 2016. Konica Minolta Healthcare is committed to being the industry leader in medical diagnostic and Primary Imaging Solutions focused on Digital Radiography, Ultrasound, and Healthcare IT. Konica Minolta’s new corporate message across all business segments is "Giving Shape to Ideas." These words represent Konica Minolta’s desire to focus on every individual around the world and use its technology and ideas to give shape to a new future.
Previously, Doerfert was Vice President of Global Marketing at SurgiQuest, Inc., and before that, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Ellman, A Cynosure Company. Earlier in her career, she worked with Corometrics Medical Systems as a Product Manager. Doerfert earned an undergraduate degree in nursing from Georgia State University.
15. Manny Soman
Company: Verista
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Manny Soman is the Chief Executive Officer of Verista, a leading business and technology consultancy firm that provides systems, compliance, validation, and quality solutions to life sciences companies, enabling them to improve health and improve lives. It helps clients solve their most critical and complex challenges across the GxP lifecycle, from preclinical and clinical to commercialization, manufacturing, and distribution, bringing together decades of knowledge, the most advanced engagement platforms, and transformative technologies.
Soman has more than 31 years of experience in the consulting industry. Before joining Verista, Soman was President and CEO at Sciformix, and before that, a Director of Best Shoring at HP UK. Earlier in his career, he worked with Tata Infotech (TCS) as a Senior Programmer. Soman graduated from Maharashtra Institute of Technology with an MBA in business administration and management and from Sir Parashurambhau College (India) with an undergraduate degree in computer science.
16. Mark Fleischer
Company: Propel Health
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Mark Fleischer began his professional career more than 26 years ago. Today, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Propel Health, an independent network of agencies creating exponentially more meaningful brand experiences and relationships. Propel Health brings a new vision, new branding, and next-level capabilities to build brands and create high-impact customer experiences.
Its agencies offer industry-leading capabilities in brand strategy, communication, and engagement to help clients create meaningful customer relationships that propel brands forward. The Propel Health mission is to help customers, employees, partners, and communities move from where they are to where they want to be. Prior to Propel, Fleischer served as Vice President of Global Business Services for Dendrite International. From there, he went on to Cardinal Health before returning to Dendrite as SVP. His most recent position before joining Propel Health was as CEO of Physicians World. Fleischer graduated from Bryant University.
17. Irene Zhang
Company: Everest Clinical Research
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Irene Zhang is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Everest Clinical Research. She first joined the company in 2004. Everest Clinical Research is a full-service contract research organization (CRO) providing a broad range of expertise-based clinical research services to the worldwide pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. Everest serves some of the best-known companies and works with many of the most advanced drugs, biologics, and medical devices in development today.
Previously, Zhang was a Director of Statistical Operations at Pharmacia Corporation and a statistical programmer/analyst for Johnson & Johnson. She also worked as a lecturer at the Guangdong Provincial Economics and Business Management Institute. Zhang earned a master’s in mathematics and statistics from Queen's University.
18. Aki Tomaru
Company: M3 USA
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Aki Tomaru is the Chief Executive Officer of M3 USA, where his responsibilities include the U.S. businesses and European subsidiaries. M3 offers a variety of proven ways to engage physicians and get important clinical and marketing messages to valued, targeted audiences. The company provides strategic solutions to address the gaps that occur in clinical practice in the management of chronic diseases while also improving access for sales representatives. Those solutions include disease state knowledge, appropriate patient diagnosis, adherence, best practices, treatment guidelines, and REMS programs.
Prior to M3, Tomaru worked as a Consultant for McKinsey & Company in Tokyo and Palo Alto. He has served as CEO since 2002 and, since 2012, he has also been Board Director of M3 Inc. He attended Hitotsubashi University and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
19. Shannon Campbell
Company: Merus N.V.
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
Shannon Campbell is the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Merus N.V., a company that is developing best-in-class therapeutics to treat and potentially cure cancer patients. Its most advanced development programs use the Biclonics format that is capable of simultaneously attacking tumors in multiple ways.
Campbell has more than 29 years of experience in the research services industry. Before joining Merus N.V., Campbell was a Senior Vice President and Head of the U.S. Solid Tumor Franchise at Novartis Oncology. Prior to that, she was a Vice President and General Manager of Oncology at Bayer. Earlier in her career, she worked with The Upjohn Company as a District Sales Manager. Campbell graduated from Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.
20. Sheri Lydick
Company: BioAtla
Title: Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy
Sheri Lydick is the Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy at BioAtla, a protein therapeutic company that uses discovery and evolution to develop safer and more potent drugs for the treatment of cancer. The culmination of the company’s discovery and evolution expertise and more than 150 issued patents and patent applications is its Conditionally Active Biologics (CAB) platform, whereby monoclonal antibodies or other biologics can be engineered for selective conditional activation.
Before joining BioAtla, Lydick was a Vice President at Bristol-Myers Squibb, and before that, a U.S. Commercial Lead for the drug ozanimod at Celgene. Earlier in her career, she worked with Synermed as a Project Director. Lydick graduated from the University of Maine with an MS in biochemistry and molecular biology.
21. Robert LaCaze
Company: Mnemo Therapeutics
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Robert LaCaze is the Chief Executive Officer of Mnemo Therapeutics. He first joined the company in 2022. Mnemo Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing immune-based therapies, including powerful cell therapies, that create accessible cures for solid tumors and blood cancers. Mnemo is built by a global team of scientists and biotech leaders united in their mission to create the most powerful immune therapies to deliver accessible cures for all patients in need.
Previously, LaCaze was an Executive Vice President and Head of the Oncology Strategic Business Unit at Bayer. Before that, he was an SVP and Head of Product and Portfolio Strategy of Worldwide Commercialization at Bristol-Myers Squibb. LaCaze earned an undergraduate degree in business administration and marketing from Louisiana Tech University.
22. Sherine Aly
Company: BioCentric
Title: Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Sherine Aly is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BioCentric, a privately held, full-service global medical and scientific healthcare communications and training company that is passionate about its mission to support the science and practice of medicine and promote optimal patient care by providing educational services to the healthcare community. BioCentric develops programs for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and device industries; medical and healthcare associations; and the federal government.
Aly has over 34 years of experience in the medical industry. Before founding BioCentric, Aly was a General Manager at Baron LePore, and before that a General Manager at Medical Education Systems. Earlier in her career, she worked with CoMed Communications (Vox Medica) as a Senior Director of Client Services, Project Management, PR, and Sales Training. She graduated from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
23. Kelly Ketterson
Company: Genomic Prediction
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Kelly Ketterson is the Chief Operating Officer of Genomic Prediction, a company that provides advanced genomic tests which improve IVF health outcomes. GP offers IVF parents a cost-effective means to evaluate genetic risk due to chromosomal abnormality (ploidy), single-gene mutations, and polygenic diseases. It represents the next step in embryo genetic testing, combining dense, genome-wide genotyping methods with sophisticated validation-focused modeling that is suitable for the information age.
Prior to GP, Ketterson worked as an Embryologist at IRMS Institute for Reproductive Medicine. From there, she became a Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Reprogenetics, before eventually rising to VP of Medical Affairs for the Americas region at CooperSurgical Fertility Solutions, her most recent position before joining GP. Ketterson earned a master’s in biomedical science at the Jones Institute at Eastern Virginia Medical School and a bachelor’s in English from Montclair State University.
24. Brad Schreck
Company: VectraCor
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Brad S. Schreck is the President & CEO and co-founder of VectraCor Inc., a medical device company with patented technology in the cardio-pulmonary space. Mr. Schreck helped to develop VectraCor’s patented ECG technology, the CEB (Cardiac Electrical Biomarker), that can help to more accurately detect a heart attack in real-time, which is the number 1 cause of death in the world.
Prior to launching VectraCor in 2008, Mr Schreck has held SVP positions with several major global healthcare companies. He was Senior VP – Global Sales, Marketing & R&D for EZEM orchestrating double-digit sales and profit and listed on Forbes 200 Best Small Companies in 2007 for Financial results for 5 years. He was with CR Bard for 13 years where he was VP of Marketing and Business Development for several divisions where he continually achieved annual double-digit sales and profit. He was also VP of Worldwide Marketing and Product Development (Orthopedics) at Pfizer/Howmedica and released 50 new products. This resulted in a turnaround and the company was sold to Stryker. Mr. Schreck’s mission is to continue to grow VectraCor’s business and innovate using the company’s patented technologies while developing more technology that will help patients around the globe that are in need.
Mr. Schreck received his Bachelors and Masters (Biomedical Engineering) from Stevens Institute of Technology and went on to obtain an MBA in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In addition while at EZEM went to Harvard Business School for Strategy: Building and Sustaining Competitive Advantage.
25. Tom Xie
Company: CIMS Global
Title: Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Tom Xie founded CIMS Global in 2004 and is now the company’s Chief Executive Officer. CIMS has been providing innovative eClinical solutions for over 16 years via its modern, fully integrated and customizable software suite for the digital era. With its proprietary closed system, it is empowering pharmaceutical and biotech companies to bring drugs to the market sooner, saving millions of dollars on clinical trials and bringing much-needed therapies to patients.
Xie is also currently the President and CEO of Brightech International, a CRO which provides services in clinical data management and biostatistics to more than 70 clinical projects for 25 pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. Right after his PhD, Xie joined the Arizona Cancer Center as a Senior Research Statistician. He has additionally served as CEO of BioPharm Solutions Inc, a biotech company focusing on novel drug delivery systems, and was a partner of SUMMA Life Sciences LLC, a specialty biotech company focus on developing oncology drug candidates. Xie earned a PhD in mathematics and statistics from the University of Arizona.
