AZBio Members MaryAnn Guerra, CEO of BioAccel, and Sandra Watson, COO of the Arizona Commerce Authority will be honored as on of the 25 Top Women in Business by the Phoenix Business Journal on February 23, 2012.
MaryAnn Guerra is the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and co-founder of BioAccel.
With more than 25 years of experience in business, health, cancer technology and genomics research management, she leads the BioAccel team with a focus on building Arizona’s bioscience communityy and the companies within it.
Guerra co-founded BioAccel in 2009 with Dr. Ron King who serves as Chief Science and Business Officer. Prior to joining BioAccel, Guerra served as President of TGen Accelerators, LLC and Chief Business Officer at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
Well experienced in creating novel programs to accelerate the transfer of technology from the lab into useful products and new business opportunities, Guerra has spent much of her career managing and operating successful and progressive health, science and technology businesses. She is an expert at business development and strategic planning initiatives that create organizations poised to deliver clinical and research outcomes. Ms. Guerra has also held various senior level positions at the National Institutes of Health, including: Deputy Director of Management at the NCI; Executive Officer of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and Chief of the Technology Transfer and Intramural Management Branch at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. As the Deputy Director for Management, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Ms. Guerra oversaw all the business operations of an organization with an annual budget in excess of $4 billion in appropriated funds and a staff of over 5,000.
Sandra Watson is Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). She brings more than 20 years of economic development experience to Arizona. Watson and her teams have successfully attracted to Arizona hundreds of companies that have invested billions of dollars in capital and created more than 60,000 quality jobs.
In her 15 years with the Arizona Department of Commerce, Ms. Watson served in multiple positions with increasing responsibilities and results. She has managed Business Development, Business Attraction, Workforce and Marketing. She has also served as Director of Innovation and Technology, and she continues to be a leading participant in these sectors.
-Ms. Watson began her career in Canada, and brings not only a wealth of knowledge on the regional, state and national levels but can execute effectively on an international scale.
In addition to serving as a member of the AZBio Board of Directors and on numerous regional and statewide Boards, Watson serves on the National State Science and Technology Institute Board.
2012 Women in Business
Join the Phoenix Business Journal for a reception and celebratory awards program recognizing the Valley’s 25 Top Women Leaders in Business. The honorees were selected by peers, colleagues and the Phoenix Business Journal news team for their leadership, professionalism, dedication and impact on our community.
Program to feature key note presentation:
Aspire…to Awaken Your Passion
Awakening the Potential of Your Self and Your People
By: Renie Cavallari
Chief Inspiration Officer of Aspire
Renie Cavallari, Aspire’s founder, CEO and Chief Inspiration Officer, is an award winning International Marketing Leader. Her forward thinking grasp of business, it’s challenges and their solutions, along with her proven, innovative strategies, set Renie apart as a captivating speaker, author and leadership consultant, energetic trainer and strategist, who has delivered measurable results for businesses around the world for over 20 years. In 2007, Cavallarifounded Wings to Fly, www.wingstofly.info , a national non-profit organization that promotes life-long self esteem in young women.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Arizona Biltmore Resort | Squaw Peak Terrace & Grand Ballroom
ATTENDEE PRICING:
$75 per person
$800 per *group ticket package of 10
*includes 10 event tickets, reserved awards program seating, recognition on event program, and a 1-year subscription to the Phoenix Business Journal.
♦♦ Congratulations to all the 2012 Women in Business Honorees ♦♦
Anita Helt, KNXV-TV Channel 15
Anne Ruddy, WorldatWork
Ginger Lamb, Arizona Capitol Times
Harriet Martin, USAA
Jane Spicer, Daphne’s Headcovers
Julie Prusak, 2011 Phoenix Heart Ball
Kathy Heasley, HEASLEY & PARTNERS
Karen Cruz, Arizona State Veteran Home
Kerry Frank Hester, US Airways Group, Inc.
Kristine Kassel, Benefits By Design Inc.
Lauri Leadley, Valley Sleep Center
Lynn Agnello, Phoenix Suns
Mary Wolf-Francis, DIRTT Environmental Solutions
MaryAnn Guerra, BioAccel
Maurine Karabatsos, Social Venture Partners
Michelle De Blasi, Quarles & Brady
Molly Busch, Thomas Title
Nancy Hormann, Downtown Tempe Community
Pat Rourke, Bankers Trust Co. of Phoenix
Patsy Nodilo, Pathlight Investors LLC
Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority
Susie Timm, Girl Meets Fork
Tammy Weinbaum, American Express
Tanya Perry, Goodwill of Central Arizona
Tiffany Bucher, Infincom