Maria Thacker-Goethe, Georgia Bio President and CEO, Named to “100 Most Influential Georgians” list by Georgia Trend Magazine

Atlanta, Georgia (January 11, 2021) – Georgia Bio, the state’s public policy and business solutions organization representing Georgia’s life sciences sector, announced today that President and CEO Maria Thacker-Goethe was named to Georgia Trend magazine’s “100 Most Influential Georgians” list for 2021.

“It is an incredible honor to be chosen amongst such esteemed colleagues,” said Maria Thacker-Goethe, Georgia Bio’s president and CEO. “The list contains several of our life sciences partners, exhibiting the influence and impact that our sector has on the state of Georgia. Thank you to Georgia Trend for the merit and for highlighting the importance of the life sciences to our state.”

In its 23 rd year, this year’s “100 Most Influential Georgians” list contains CEOs, politicians, college presidents, nonprofit and economic development leaders who “have risen to the challenges of the past year to help make life better for all Georgians.”

Per Georgia Trend : “Under Thacker-Goethe’s leadership, Georgia Bio cultivates a high-growth life sciences

sector vital by many measures, including the nearly 200,000 jobs and approximately $22-billion impact for Georgia. She not only brings 13-plus years of nonprofit management to the role, but also the vision and experience from her concurrent leadership roles at the Georgia BioEd Institute and Global Health Alliance.”

To read more and view the full list of recipients, click HERE.

Thacker-Goethe also serves as CEO for the Center for Global Health Innovation. Georgia Bio is a division of The Center for Global Health Innovation, an Atlanta based 501(c)3 organization that was launched in 2020 to bring together diverse Global Health, Health Technology and Life Sciences entities to collaborate, innovate and activate solutions to enhance human health outcomes around the world. ( innovateglobalhealth.org )

About Georgia Bio

Georgia Bio ( www.gabio.org ) is the state’s private, non-profit life sciences association. Members include pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, medical centers, universities and research institutes, government groups and other business organizations involved in the development of life sciences related products and services.

September 11, 2025
Members are invited to join G2G’s Monthly GBG Reporting Service Webinar on September 18, 2025 . The first portion ( 12:00–12:30 PM ET ) is free and open to all, offering a high-level overview of current federal funding trends. The second half ( 12:30–1:00 PM ET ) is a premium consultation available only to Georgia Life Sciences members, offering direct access to G2G’s expert team—who have helped secure over $550 million in non-dilutive government funding since 2007. Register here: https://www.g2gconsulting.com/event/non-dilutive-funding-g2gs-monthly-gbg-reporting-service-webinar-14-3/2025-09-18/ Key opportunities this month include DARPA’s Expedited Research Innovation System for CBRN threat defense technologies, BARDA’s I-CREATE diagnostic funding and VANGUARD biomanufacturing tools development (each offering up to $200,000), NIAID tuberculosis and influenza research units (up to $1.5–$2.5 million annually), DoD’s $4 million Advanced Medical Monitor development through MTEC, and multiple SBIR opportunities for sensors and field-deployable diagnostics (up to $209,575 for Phase I awards). The September GBG report highlights 13 immunology and infectious disease opportunities, 10 cognitive and brain health programs, and several biotechnology and biomanufacturing initiatives across federal agencies including the Army, ARPA-H, BARDA, and NSF. Georgia Life Sciences members can access the complete 29-page report with detailed deadlines and eligibility requirements [insert link or portal instructions here]. GLS members can access the full 29-page report with deadlines and submission details by logging into your member portal.
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