Dr. Handelin, CEO and President of the 90-10 Institute, is a veteran entrepreneur and molecular medical geneticist who has been a pioneer in the responsible application of genetics to clinical medicine over a 40-year career. Over the last decade, she has turned from technology and science innovation to redesigning the business and financing of her beloved industry, culminating in the establishment of The 90-10 Institute.
Starting In 1987 Dr. Handelin established the first commercial DNA testing laboratory, at Integrated Genetics (now Genzyme Genetics), followed by cofounding one of the first gene therapy companies (Genovo), a pioneering computational biology company (Kenna Technologies) and BioPontis Alliance, a venture-like Fund with a novel risk sharing investment and licensing model.
More recently she was the cofounder and CEO of Audacity Therapeutics, a public benefit (B Corp) pharmaceutical company and BioPontis Alliance for Rare Diseases, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing new therapies forward for rare genetic diseases. Dr. Handelin served 3 years on the board of RedPath Integrated Pathology, Inc., and 3 years as board member of NeuroPointDx/Stemina and is currently serving on Board of Transformative Bio. She formerly served on scientific advisory boards of several genomics companies (e.g. EXACT Sciences). She served 10 years as a board member of the IRB education nonprofit organization Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R), as well as on a variety of federal committees and advisory panels on ethics in genetic testing, including the Secretary’s Advisory Panel on Genetics, Health and Society.
Contact Barbara at: [email protected]
Karyn Polak is President, CEO, and Treasurer of the Delaware Bankers Association, a not-for-profit, private trade association that represents its members chartered to do banking business in Delaware in the areas of State and Federal advocacy, education, community outreach, communications, and events. In this and prior roles, Karyn draws on her extensive financial services and legal expertise across the spectrum of finance to address the complex challenges our world faces.
Prior to the DBA, Karyn founded Shift the Prism Advisory to support changes in mindsets, systems, and approaches to capital and development. She previously served as legal counsel, a trusted advisor, and a C-suite executive in various roles at Citigroup, PNC Bank, and Transamerica - from her first senior position as General Counsel for Citi Private Bank to her most recent as Chief Legal Officer for Transamerica. She also has over a decade of experience advising global financial institutions, multinational corporations, and family businesses in corporate finance, securities, and mergers and acquisitions at three top-100 U.S. law firms.
Throughout her career, Karyn has consistently sought to reduce inequities and increase inclusion through concrete contributions as a business executive, board member, mentor, and community convener and connector. Karyn currently serves on the board of Avodah, the Global and Regional North America Boards of the Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers, and the Advisory Board of Philly Cooks for Philly.
Contact Karyn at: [email protected]