Maria Thacker, President & CEO of Georgia Bio, Elected as New Board Chair for the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA)

The Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) today announced the election of new board members to its Board of Directors for the next two-year term (2022-2023). CSBA also announced new board leadership, including new Chair of the Board of Directors, Maria Thacker, President & CEO of Georgia Bio.


“We are thrilled to announce our new slate of incredibly accomplished and esteemed board leaders for the next exciting phase of CSBA,” said Michele Oshman, Executive Director of Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) and Vice President of External Affairs at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). “From the global threats of pandemics and climate change to the growing impact of bioscience on local jobs and economies, our industry faces many important challenges today. We look forward to continuing to work together across our new board leadership, members, and stakeholders to confront these threats and expand opportunities for innovation.”


CSBA is pleased to announce the following leaders and members of the board of directors for the 2022-2023 term:


• Maria Thacker, Board Chair
President & CEO, Georgia Bio
• Kelvyn Cullimore, Board Member
President & CEO, BioUtah
• Michael Fleming, Board Member
President, Delaware Bio
• Laura Gunter, Board Member
President, NCBIO
• Sonia Hall, Board Member
President & CEO, BioKansas
• Debbie Hart, Past Chair
President & CEO, BioNJ
• Liisa Bozinovic, CSBI Representative
Executive Director, Oregon Bio

The new leaders and members of the board of directors will join existing members serving for the 2021-2022 term:


• John Conrad, Board Member
President & CEO, iBIO
• Mike Guerra, Board Member
President & CEO, California Life Sciences
• Dawn Hocevar, Board Member
President & CEO, BioCT


“I am honored to be the new CSBA Board Chair and pledge to continue elevating the critical work of state biotechnology associations nationwide,” said Maria Thacker, Board Chair, CSBA and President & CEO, Georgia Bio. ”Our associations play a central role in championing the groundbreaking work of the biotechnology sector as we innovate for human health discoveries, agricultural advancements, and environmental sustainability.”

“It has been my honor to serve as the CSBA Board Chair over these last two years,” said Debbie Hart, Past Chair, CSBA and President & CEO, BioNJ. “Our state associations have faced immense challenges on the policy arena as well as an unprecedented global pandemic. I am proud of what we have collectively accomplished in helping to stave off grave policy proposals, offering unique educational opportunities, and supporting our Members, all despite operating remotely in a time of immense change for our country. I am delighted to see the very talented Maria Thacker take over as the new CSBA Chair and look forward to supporting her in that role and to our ongoing collaboration on behalf of our industry.”

About The Council of State Bioscience Associations


The Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) is a confederation of state-based, nonprofit trade organizations each governed by its own board of directors convened by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). The common mission of the members of the CSBA is to promote public understanding and to advocate for public policies that support patient access to lifesaving therapies and the responsible development of the bioscience industry.

Georgia Life Sciences Joins National Coalition Urging Congressional Action on Key Innovation Policies

December 10, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences has joined 43 state and regional life sciences organizations in signing a national Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) letter calling on Congress to take immediate action on three bipartisan policy priorities that are essential to sustaining U.S. leadership in biomedical innovation and supporting patients nationwide. With Congress back in session and several critical programs at risk of expiring, the letter urges congressional leaders to advance the following provisions without delay: 1. Reauthorize the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) Program The PPRV program has been instrumental in incentivizing the development of therapies for children with rare and life-threatening conditions. Its lapse threatens to slow or halt research that families across the country are counting on. 2. Extend the SBIR/STTR Programs The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide crucial early-stage capital for emerging biotech and medtech companies—many of them in Georgia. Without reauthorization, hundreds of innovative small businesses face uncertainty, jeopardizing new therapies, diagnostics, and technologies in the pipeline, 3. Advance PBM Transparency Reforms Greater transparency and accountability within pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices are needed to ensure that savings reach patients and employers. Reforming PBM operations is essential to strengthening access and affordability across the healthcare system. A Unified Message from the Life Sciences Community The sign-on letter reflects broad, bipartisan alignment across the national life sciences ecosystem: researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, patient advocates, and state associations all share a common message— these programs underpin America’s global competitiveness and are vital to patients who rely on continued scientific progress. Georgia Life Sciences has shared the letter with members of Georgia’s congressional delegation and will continue engaging with policymakers to emphasize the importance of swift action.

GLS Joins Georgia Partners in Calling for Federal PBM Reform

December 7, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences is proud to stand with patient advocates, providers, and employers across the state in urging Congress to take meaningful action on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. We recently signed on to a joint letter to Georgia’s Congressional Delegation stressing the urgent need for transparency, fair practices, and policies that ensure savings flow directly to patients.

GLS’ President and CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe in December's issue of Georgia Trend

December 4, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences’ CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe shares her perspective on the value of Georgia’s research universities in this month’s issue of Georgia Trend. “Georgia research institutions have felt a very significant impact from the federal rollbacks, specifically in NIH and NSF funding. Thacker Goethe’s message about the impact of research cuts is simple: Disruption shatters the foundational trust researchers have in grant continuity….” To read the full article, click here .
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