Katherine Pickus is divisional vice president, Sustainability at Abbott, overseeing the global healthcare company’s sustainability initiatives and reporting. Working together with Abbott business leaders, Katherine oversees efforts to maximize the positive impact of Abbott's business in helping people build better lives and stronger communities, while strengthening our business through shared value and reducing our impact on the environment. Prior to joining Abbott, Katherine served as the Special Assistant for National Security Affairs to the Vice President of the United States, focused on advancing development and U.S. relations in sub-Saharan Africa. Katherine began her career at the U.S. Department of State, working with the private sector to advance democratic institution-building programs worldwide. In 1993, she was selected by the United Nations to serve as an election monitor for the first-ever democratic elections held in the Republic of South Africa.
Dr. Rodriguez is a professor, innovator and entrepreneur. As a researcher, he developed technologies that now serve as the basis for today’s biotech industry. Dr. Rodriguez is an internationally recognized thought leader in science and technology and an inventor on 20 patents. He has helped found over 25 high tech startups and published 120 scientific papers and books. Dr. Rodriguez was elected an AAAS Fellow in 2012. As director of the Global HealthShare Initiative, he is using his scientific and entrepreneurial skills to help the underprivileged in the developing world. Throughout his career, Dr. Rodriguez has dedicated himself to providing opportunities for underrepresented individuals and women in STEM. In 2013, he organized Girls Who Code, an Intel-sponsored program for high school girls and he currently helps lead a UC Davis program to diversify STEM departments with women faculty. His current research interests include diet-genome interactions, aging and human cognition.
Dr. Joxel Garcia is a former four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. He served as the fourteenth Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He served as the Director of Health in the District of Columbia. He served as the Executive Director of the MD Anderson Cancer Control and Prevention Platform and Member of the Leadership Team of the MD Anderson Moon Shots program until May 2017 before joining American Express as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.
Omid Moghadam is an innovative scientist, serial entrepreneur, investor and educator. He specializes in launching ventures with social impact in health, big data and technology. He is the Founder and CEO of Ascendant Dx, a diagnostics firm commercializing in new ‘omics’ tests for Oncology and orphan diseases. Their first product, Melody is an inexpensive, accurate and fast diagnostic test for breast cancer. Mr. Moghadam has inventions in medical imaging, oncology, cryptography, microprocessor design, computer graphics, medical devices, diagnostics, digital photography, data science and communications. His approach to innovation has been highlighted in two books: Grabbing Lightning (2008) and The Innovators Prescription (2008) and have been showcased at SXSW, and at The White House. Moghadam loves art, history and travel and is multilingual. On Sundays he can be found sweating over FT’s Polymath crossword puzzle.
In February 2017 Nathan Green was appointed interim vice chancellor for public affairs. Green, also serves as assistant vice chancellor for state government relations at Vanderbilt, and oversees the university’s local, state and federal government relations and community and neighborhood relations. Developing and directing state legislative and government strategies that advance the overall interests of Vanderbilt University and Medical Center with respect to higher education, academic medicine, and health care policy. Green joined Vanderbilt in December 2014. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Green served 14 years as a partner in the government relations firm RobinsonGreen. He also took a lead role in negotiating agreements on some of the biggest issues before the General Assembly. From 1994 to 2000, Green served as executive assistant to Shelby County Mayor Jim Rout. A graduate of the University of Memphis, Green began his career in the office of the Shelby County trustee.t
Katherine Pickus is divisional vice president, Sustainability at Abbott, overseeing the global healthcare company’s sustainability initiatives and reporting. Working together with Abbott business leaders, Katherine oversees efforts to maximize the positive impact of Abbott's business in helping people build better lives and stronger communities, while strengthening our business through shared value and reducing our impact on the environment. Prior to joining Abbott, Katherine served as the Special Assistant for National Security Affairs to the Vice President of the United States, focused on advancing development and U.S. relations in sub-Saharan Africa. Katherine began her career at the U.S. Department of State, working with the private sector to advance democratic institution-building programs worldwide. In 1993, she was selected by the United Nations to serve as an election monitor for the first-ever democratic elections held in the Republic of South Africa.