For more than 25 years, Cassandra has led strategic initiatives with global leaders across the healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life-science sectors. She played a pivotal role in advancing strategic growth and partnerships for Virginia Bio, leading large-scale initiatives that strengthened biotech innovation, commercialization, and public policy across the BioHealth Capital Region.

She had the honor of collaborating with BIO, PhRMA, AdvaMed, the Medicines for All Institute, the Veterans Innovation Network, Pfizer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and others to accelerate the commercialization of life-saving therapeutics and medical devices through clinical partnerships and capital formation.

An accomplished advocate and thought leader, Cassandra has represented the life-science sector before federal and state policymakers, championing the value of research, innovation, and patient access. She has chaired influential initiatives including Women Building Bio, the JP Morgan Healthcare Virginia Bio Steering Committee, and the Virginia Life Science Workforce Initiative, and has led a multi-state AgBio conference accelerating One Health, regenerative agriculture, and food systems.

Earlier, she served as Executive Director and Clinical Liaison at Richmond Eye & Ear Hospital (now MEDARVA), overseeing regulatory compliance (CLIA, CAP, Joint Commission), the Institutional Review Board, physician relations, and patient advocacy. She established Virginia’s first private Low Vision Rehabilitation Clinic, which continues to serve patients more than two decades later.

Cassandra earned her master’s degree from Virginia Tech and Carilion Hospital in Clinical Sciences, specializing in Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, and Clinical Immunology. She is board certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) and holds a certification in Nutrition and Cancer from the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Her lifelong commitment to patient-centered care began while working alongside her mother, a dedicated pharmacist who passed from ovarian cancer at the young age of 59.  An experience that continues to shape her devotion to cancer prevention, life-saving innovation, and service to others.