The Commons Team

Jodie Gillon

President & CEO, BioCT Jodie Gillon brings over 25 years of experience in large pharma & biotech having started her career in advocacy and hospitals, in the US and abroad. With vast expertise leading key functions, she is sought after as an advisor to Incubators and Innovation Centers, and as a consultant for biotech, AI, RWE, digital health, and non profit organizations.

Jodie most recently served as the SVP of Corporate Affairs and Patient Advocacy building out the Patient, Medical, and Corporate Affairs functions at Peptilogics, a Phase I and Machine Learning start up. She previously served as the Chief Patient Officer and Head of Clinical Affairs Affairs at Abeona Therapeutics, a cell and gene therapy company. Prior to joining Abeona, Jodie cumulatively spent over a decade with Pfizer as the Global Medical Lead, Patient Engagement, for the Rare Diseases Business Unit and the Director, Medical Communications, within the Chief Medical Office. Prior to Pfizer, Jodie was the Head of Patient Advocacy and Professional Affairs with Achillion Pharmaceuticals where she led Policy, Alliances, Patient Engagement, Contributions/Grants, Compassionate Use, Medical Information, Medica Communications, Field Medical, and External Affairs. Previously she served as the Head of the Chief Medical Office (CMO) of AstraZeneca, where she managed Patient Engagement, Compassionate Use, Trial and Payment Transparency, Meetings and Events, an HCP Engagement Center, Companywide policy, External contributions, Alliances, and Crisis management. Jodie held additional roles as the Global Communications lead at Novartis, Director of Medical Education for Oridion Medical and as a Health Economist with the Israeli Center for Disease Control and Ministry of Health.

She holds a Master’s of Public Health with a dual degree in Health Economics and Epidemiology from Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a BSFS from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service. She currently serves on several industry wide Boards and Committees, has published and spoken externally across a wide variety of topics and mentors students and female professionals across our industry. While a native New Yorker, Jodie fell in love with New Haven while at Achillion and is proud to call Connecticut her permanent home for three years now. She is eager to contribute to the budding ecosystem here and welcomes you to connect with her.

Vice President, BioCT Incubators Kimberly Kelly joined CURE (now BioCT) in April of 2014, bringing to The Commons her biotech experience in research, facilities, laboratory build-outs, project management and environmental health and safety (EHS). Ms. Kelly is a veteran of this world, having a 20+ year history with biotech and CRO start-ups. She is especially talented at creating effective, high performing team environments and delivering on team goals. Prior to joining BioCT, Ms. Kelly was Associate Director of Operations at Melinta Therapeutics (formerly Rib-X Pharmaceuticals) and was instrumental in driving the companies’ operational activities. Ms. Kelly held various roles at Melinta with increasing responsibilities in the areas of, project management, EHS, laboratory management, contractor and vendor management, managing facility improvements and the associated budgets. Kim previously worked at Worldwide Clinical Trials (formerly CEDRA) where she held department management and supervisory roles.  Kim holds a Bachelors of Science from University of Rhode Island.  She is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Thames River Innovation, is an alumni of the Leadership Program of Eastern Connecticut, serves on the Norwich Technical High School Biotech Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee and the Chamber of Eastern Connecticut’s Dream Center Advisory Committee . E-mail: kkelly@bioct.org

Executive Director, Operations  Kelley Gipson is the Executive Director, Operations Coordination of BioCT. She is an accomplished integrated marketing and communications professional possessing entrepreneurial, corporate and agency experience. Most recently, Kelley has been working in a consulting capacity on experiential brand strategy and multi-channel communications engagements. Until 2010, she served as the Brand Director, Chief Communications Officer and Chief of Staff at a global, Fortune 500 financial services firm. Prior, Kelley was a Group Account Director and senior strategist at several NY based advertising agencies developing compelling brand narratives for clients in a variety of categories. Operationally, Kelley has deep experience in change management as well as clarifying business and cultural objectives to energize and align brands, improve engagement and build positive word-of-mouth. She has directed several high-profile communications initiatives including corporate acquisitions and divestures, management transitions, IPOs, bankruptcy and restructurings as well as a number of crisis programs. The Public Relations Society of America and the Financial Communications Society have recognized her work. She is a member of International Association of Business Communicators, Elevate and Financial Communications Society. Kelley is a prior member of the National Advertising Review Board, CIT’s Women’s Leadership Council and Executive Management Committee. A graduate of New York University, Kelley completed the Executive Program on Negotiation at the Harvard Business School. E-mail: kgipson@bioct.org