BioNJ Elects Board Officers and Trustees at 33rd Annual Dinner Meeting

On Feb 13, 2026

At BioNJ’s 33rd Annual Dinner Meeting and Innovation Celebration held on Feb.5, the organization announced the election of its 2026 Officers and Board Members, bringing together hundreds of industry executives to celebrate collective achievements, honor outstanding contributions and connect through an evening of networking and awards.

Newly elected officers include Chair Christopher Cozic, executive vice president & chief people officer, Genmab; Vice Chair Michael Schoen, senior vice president, head, government affairs & special assistant to the CEO, BeOne Medicines; Treasurer Christopher Mortko, Ph.D., MBA, vice president & head, hq search & evaluation, Merck Corporate Licensing; and Secretary Susan L. Levinson, Ph.D., CEO, BioAegis Therapeutics.

Cozic was unanimously elected by the BioNJ Board as chair, succeeding Emer Leahy, Ph.D., MBA, president & CEO, PsychoGenics, who now assumes the role of Immediate past chair.

“We are deeply grateful for Dr. Leahy’s stewardship and unwavering commitment to BioNJ over these past two years,” said Debbie Hart, president and CEO of BioNJ. “During her chairpersonship, she strengthened our voice, expanded our reach and championed innovation and Patient needs that drove tangible policy and legislative progress across New Jersey. Dr. Leahy’s contributions leave a lasting impact that will continue to benefit BioNJ, the life sciences community and, most importantly, Patients.

“We look forward to working with incoming Chair Chris Cozic to support our members during this pivotal time for the industry — one that demands unity, resilience and bold leadership to advance progress for Patients,” added Hart. “Christopher Cozic’s talent for inspiring others and building strong, mission‑driven teams will be invaluable as we work together to strengthen New Jersey’s life sciences ecosystem and advance our mission — to help our Members help Patients.”

“It’s an honor to serve as Chair of BioNJ, a community that represents the heart of New Jersey’s biotech and pharmaceutical industry,” said Cozic. “Working alongside the Board, the BioNJ Team, our members and partners across the State, I look forward to championing BioNJ’s strategic priorities, advancing the life sciences innovation ecosystem, supporting the creation and retention of high-quality jobs and strengthening collaboration across industry, government and academia. By bringing people together around shared goals, we can ensure New Jersey remains a global leader in life sciences innovation ― bringing new, life-saving medicines to Patients around the world.”

Newly elected to the Board are Mary Elizabeth Blake, MBA, MPH, chief corporate affairs officer, Amicus Therapeutics; Kevin Hamill, president, immunology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine; Christine Kingsbury, MBA, vice president & head , U.S. marketing, Ascendis Pharma; Allyson McMillan-Youngblood, senior vice president & head, rare disease franchise, Acadia Pharmaceuticals; and Martin Whalen, MBA, senior vice president, global policy & government affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb.

The following Board Members were re-elected for another two-year term: Alexandra Gruener, senior vice president, us bladder cancer & oncology portfolio marketing lead, Pfizer; Matthew B. Klein, M.D., M.S., FACS, CEO, PTC Therapeutics; and Robert Zamboldi, MBA, site head, real estate & facility services, Novartis.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

Related Articles: