Georgia Life Sciences Board of Directors Update 2026
Georgia Life Sciences Announces New Board Members and Executive Committee Leadership
February 4, 2026. Georgia Life Sciences (GLS) is pleased to welcome five new leaders to its Board of Directors and announce its newly appointed Executive Committee, strengthening the organization’s leadership at a pivotal time for Georgia’s growing life sciences ecosystem.
New Board Members
- Kenny Cordell, Senior Audit Manager, Crowe
- Lori Chmura, CEO, Nyra Medical
- Emily Dinu, Founding Partner, Numinous Capital
- Courtney Law, Vice President, Life Sciences Commercial Banking, J.P. Morgan
- Samir Patel, President & CEO, Moonlight Therapeutics
These new board members bring deep expertise across finance, investment, entrepreneurship, and life sciences innovation, reflecting the breadth and momentum of Georgia’s sector.
New Executive Committee
- Dave Penake, Saol Therapeutics – Chair
- Scott Rizzo, Bend Bioscience – Vice Chair
- Wayne Elowe, Greenberg Traurig – Secretary
- Nathan Caplinger, Avantor – Finance & Audit Committee
- Ashley Cornelison, Portal Innovations – Governance & Nominating Committee
“This leadership team represents the strength, diversity, and ambition of Georgia’s life sciences community,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, President and CEO, Georgia Life Sciences. “Their collective experience will help guide GLS as we advance policies, partnerships, and programs that enable companies to start, scale, and stay in Georgia.”
Georgia Life Sciences looks forward to the contributions of its new board members and executive leadership as it continues to support innovation, workforce development, and economic growth across the state.
July 24, 2026, Atlanta, GA - Georgia Life Sciences applauds Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA) for introducing the Biotechnology Diplomacy Leadership Act , legislation designed to strengthen America's leadership in biotechnology by establishing a senior biotechnology leadership position within the U.S. Department of State. As biotechnology continues to drive breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and national security, the United States must remain a global leader in innovation while strengthening strategic partnerships with allies around the world. The proposed legislation recognizes biotechnology as a critical component of U.S. economic competitiveness and foreign policy and would help ensure that the federal government is well positioned to advance these priorities internationally. The legislation also reflects recommendations from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology , which called for a more coordinated national approach to advancing biotechnology and protecting U.S. leadership in this strategically important sector. "Georgia is home to one of the nation's fastest-growing life sciences ecosystems, and policies that strengthen America's global biotechnology leadership directly benefit innovators, researchers, manufacturers, and patients," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "We appreciate Congressman McCormick's leadership in recognizing biotechnology as both an economic engine and a strategic national priority." Georgia Life Sciences looks forward to working with policymakers at both the federal and state levels to advance policies that foster innovation, strengthen the U.S. bioeconomy, and ensure America remains the global leader in biotechnology.
Georgia Life Sciences names Renee Martin, Ph.D., to lead its Teacher Training Initiative, advancing educator workforce development and Georgia's future life sciences talent pipeline.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2026 ATLANTA, Ga . – Eighteen Georgia high school agriscience teachers recently participated in a hands-on plant tissue culture training at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, equipping educators with biotechnology skills and classroom resources that will expand access to experiential STEM learning for students across the state. Hosted through a partnership led by Georgia Life Sciences (GLS), the workshop was facilitated by Julie Throne, Agriscience Teacher, FFA Advisor, and CTAE Department Chair at Cedar Shoals High School. Participants received practical instruction in plant tissue culture techniques using newly developed portable tissue culture kits generously donated by California-based Athena Ag. Plant tissue culture is a foundational biotechnology technique used in agriculture and plant science research to propagate plants under aseptic conditions. By incorporating these concepts into agriscience classrooms, educators can provide students with hands-on experiences that introduce biotechnology while building technical skills relevant to careers in agriculture and biotechnology. As part of the workshop, each participating teacher received two complete plant tissue culture kits to take back to their school, enabling students throughout Georgia to engage in laboratory-based biotechnology activities and explore emerging career pathways in the life sciences. "Providing educators with access to industry-relevant training and classroom resources is one of the most effective ways to inspire the next generation of Georgia's life sciences workforce," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "Through partnerships like this, we're helping teachers bring real-world biotechnology into their classrooms while expanding opportunities for students to discover careers in one of Georgia's fastest-growing industries." The training is part of Georgia Life Sciences' broader Teacher Training Initiative, a statewide workforce development program that equips middle and high school educators with the knowledge, tools, and industry connections needed to deliver hands-on biotechnology instruction. Through strategic partnerships with industry, education, and nonprofit organizations, the initiative continues to strengthen Georgia's talent pipeline by connecting classroom learning with real-world workforce opportunities. Georgia Life Sciences extends its appreciation to Julie Throne for leading the training and to Athena for its generous donation of classroom kits, helping expand access to biotechnology education for educators and students across the state.
