BioNJ revealed its 2026 board officers and trustees Feb. 12. The appointments came during the 33rd Annual Dinner Meeting and Innovation Celebration Feb. 5 at the Hilton East Brunswick.
Attended by hundreds of life sciences executives, the fete featured and opening address from Gov. Mikie Sherrill. The gala also included several industry honors and awards.
Genmab Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer Christopher Cozic succeeded Emer Leahy as BioNJ board chair, following his unanimous election.
Other new additions include:
- Vice Chair Michael Schoen, senior vice president, head, Government Affairs, and special assistant to the CEO, BeOne Medicines
- Treasurer Christopher Mortko, vice president & head, HQ Search & Evaluation, Merck Corporate Licensing
- Secretary Susan Levinson, CEO, BioAegis Therapeutics
Leahy, president and CEO at Paramus-based PsychoGenics, now assumes the role of immediate past chair.
BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart thanked Leahy for her two years of service. “During her chairpersonship, she strengthened our voice, expanded our reach and championed innovation and Patient needs that drove tangible policy and legislative progress across New Jersey,” she said. “Dr. Leahy’s contributions leave a lasting impact that will continue to benefit BioNJ, the life sciences community and, most importantly, patients.”
Hart said the organization looks forward to collaborating with Cozic, whose “talent for inspiring others and building strong, mission‑driven teams will be invaluable” in BioNJ’s mission.
Commented Cozic, “I look forward to championing BioNJ’s strategic priorities, advancing the life sciences innovation ecosystem, supporting the creation and retention of high-quality jobs and strengthening collaboration across industry, government and academia. By bringing people together around shared goals, we can ensure New Jersey remains a global leader in life sciences innovation ― bringing new, life-saving medicines to Patients around the world.”
Additional appointments:
Newly elected BioNJ board members
- Mary Elizabeth Blake, chief corporate affairs officer, Amicus Therapeutics
- Kevin Hamill, president, Immunology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
- Christine Kingsbury, vice president & head, U.S. Marketing, Ascendis Pharma
- Allyson McMillan-Youngblood, senior vice president & head, Rare Disease Franchise, Acadia Pharmaceuticals
- Martin Whalen, senior vice president, Global Policy & Government Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb
Board members re-elected for another two-year term
- Alexandra Gruener, senior vice president, US bladder cancer & oncology portfolio marketing lead, Pfizer
- Dr. Matthew Klein, CEO, PTC Therapeutics
- Robert Zamboldi, site head, Real Estate & Facility Services, Novartis
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