Ten years after bringing Boston’s life sciences industry together around a shared commitment to addressing poverty and expanding opportunity, Life Science Cares Boston is preparing for an ambitious new chapter. At its 10th anniversary celebration on November 12, the organization previewed plans to significantly expand its coalition of industry supporters and strengthen its role as a trusted, responsive philanthropic partner to Greater Boston nonprofits.
The organization expects to launch a new strategic plan in January 2027, with priorities that include doubling its base of supporters, mobilizing its network to amplify stories of community impact, and becoming one of Boston’s most responsive philanthropic funders. The ambitious plans coincide with a transition in Board leadership and the appointment of four new Board members, who will build on the strong foundation established over the past decade as Life Science Cares Boston expands its efforts to support local nonprofits facing growing economic pressures and demand for services.
Founded in Boston in 2016, Life Science Cares established a model that connects the financial resources, expertise, and networks of the life sciences with nonprofit organizations addressing poverty and inequality. What began as a local effort has grown into a broader movement, demonstrating the potential of collective industry engagement. Now, with a decade of partnerships and community trust behind it, Life Science Cares Boston is looking to build on that foundation to meet the challenges of the next ten years.
“Ten years ago, we set out to demonstrate what was possible when Boston’s life sciences industry came together to support our community. Today, the need for that commitment is greater than ever,” said Rosie Cunningham, Executive Director, Life Science Cares Boston. “Our nonprofit partners are facing growing demands and increasingly limited resources. We have built a network of companies, leaders, and volunteers that is uniquely positioned to respond. Our ambition for the next decade is to significantly expand that coalition, deepen the trust we’ve established with our nonprofit partners, and become the organization they can turn to when urgent needs arise. We know that together, our industry can accomplish far more than any one company could achieve alone.”
As Life Science Cares Boston prepares for its next chapter, Jeb Keiper, Venture Partner at Third Rock Ventures, will assume the role of Board Chair, with Dave Melville, Founder and CEO of The Bowdoin Group, serving as Vice Chair. The organization also welcomes four new Board members: Ivana Magovcevic-Liebisch, CEO of Draig; Mike MacLean, Board Member at Camp4 and former CFO of Avidity; Leslie Orne, former CEO and founder of Trinity Life Sciences; and Lyn Baranowski, CEO of Avalyn. Together, these leaders build on the contributions of the organization’s broader Board of Managers to advance corporate engagement and deepen its impact across Greater Boston.
To view the full Life Science Cares Boston Board of Managers, visit: https://lifesciencecares.org/about/board-leadership/.
A Decade of Industry Leadership Creates a Foundation for the Future
Held at Artists for Humanity, the anniversary celebration brought together life sciences executives, nonprofit leaders, corporate partners, and community supporters to recognize the relationships and leadership that have helped shape Life Science Cares Boston.
“Ten years ago, we believed that the life sciences industry could make an extraordinary difference by coming together to support the communities around us,” said Rob Perez, founder of Life Science Cares. “What began in Boston as an idea has grown into a movement powered by people who recognize that our responsibility extends beyond scientific innovation. The next decade presents an opportunity to build on that foundation, bringing more leaders and companies together to create lasting change in the communities that make our industry possible.”
The evening also recognized Art Krieg with the Legacy of Humanity Award, honoring his generosity, leadership, and commitment to community impact. Presented by Life Science Cares Board member Dave Melville, the award celebrates individuals who exemplify the spirit of giving and service that has helped shape the organization.
Krieg also highlighted his commitment to Life Science Shares, an initiative encouraging life sciences leaders to pledge a portion of future wealth generated through the industry to support community impact.
Building Opportunity Through Trusted Community Partnerships
The anniversary celebration also highlighted how Life Science Cares Boston’s approach extends beyond traditional philanthropy, connecting nonprofit partners with the talent, relationships and resources of the region’s life sciences ecosystem.
Joshua Regaillard a former Project Onramp participant, shared how a paid internship at AbbVie helped launch his career in the life sciences industry, leading to subsequent professional opportunities at AbbVie and Amgen. His experience illustrated how access to industry networks and hands-on opportunities can open career pathways for young people who might otherwise face barriers to entering the sector.
Dr. Jaykyri Simpson, Executive Director of Young Man With A Plan (YMWAP), highlighted how partnerships with Boston’s life sciences industry are helping open doors for the young Black and Latino men his organization serves. Through sustained mentoring, academic support, and career development opportunities, YMWAP helps young men across Boston pursue pathways to college, careers, and long-term success.
“Too often, young men in our communities have the talent and ambition to succeed but lack access to the relationships and opportunities that can help them get there,” said Simpson. “Through our partnership with Life Science Cares Boston, we’re connecting young Black and Latino men with people and experiences that broaden their understanding of what’s possible. When leaders in the life sciences industry open their doors, they’re doing more than introducing young people to careers. They’re helping them see a future in which they belong and can succeed.” The celebration recognized the corporate partners making this model possible, including presenting sponsor Fenwick, whose engagement with Life Science Cares includes participation in this year’s Climb for Community. Life Science Cares Boston also recognized Alpine Rewards as its year-end matching sponsor, reflecting the continued commitment of corporate partners to supporting local communities.
Meeting the Challenges of the Next Decade
As Greater Boston nonprofits face increasing demand for services and uncertainty surrounding public and private funding, Life Science Cares Boston is preparing to respond with greater urgency and collective purpose. Through its forthcoming strategic plan, the organization aims to expand its coalition of industry supporters, deepen its investment in nonprofit partners, and strengthen its ability to mobilize resources quickly and flexibly to address emerging community needs. By building on trusted relationships and the collective strength of Boston’s life sciences ecosystem, Life Science Cares Boston seeks to become one of the city’s most responsive and connected philanthropic partners.
The anniversary celebration marked both a recognition of what Boston’s life sciences community has built over the past decade and a call for more companies, executives, and employees to help shape what comes next.
To learn more about Life Science Cares Boston and opportunities to invest, volunteer, or connect, visit: https://lifesciencecares.org/about/contact/
About Life Science Cares Boston
Founded in 2016, Life Science Cares Boston established a model for mobilizing the life sciences industry to address poverty and expand opportunity. Through investing, volunteering, and connecting, the organization brings together companies, industry leaders, employees, and nonprofit partners to strengthen communities across Greater Boston. By combining financial support with the expertise, talent, and networks of the life sciences ecosystem, Life Science Cares Boston works to deepen nonprofit partnerships, respond to community needs, and create lasting community impact.
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