February 5, 2019 (CAMBRIDGE, MA) – The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio®) today announced the promotion of Kendalle Burlin O’Connell to the organization’s first-ever Chief Operating Officer. O’Connell, who joined MassBio in 2008, will continue to support members in a more operational capacity, focusing on expanding MassBio’s footprint globally and supporting new services for members.
“It’s been an incredible journey over the last decade working alongside Kendalle as we doubled our membership and revenue, added new services and offerings, and earned ourselves a reputation as the most influential trade association in the life sciences in Massachusetts and beyond,” said Robert K. Coughlin, President and CEO of MassBio. “Our members are working tirelessly to bring new groundbreaking therapies to patients and it’s our job to ensure they’re operating in the best environment possible and have the support and services they need to sustain this growth. For MassBio, that means expanding our leadership structure to ensure we can stay ahead of our members’ needs.”
O’Connell previously served as Vice President of Member Services and General Counsel for MassBio where she developed strategic initiatives to grow the offerings of the MassBio Purchasing Consortium by building valuable partnerships with the supplier community and creating a robust Employee Rewards program. In this role, O’Connell was also responsible for MassBio’s member professional development Forum programs, expanding member company and employee engagement, as well as new member development.
“The life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts looks a lot different today than it did 10 years ago, with our members no longer siloed in traditional verticals, and no longer operating just in Massachusetts or even the U.S.,” said O’Connell. “We’re seeing the convergence of drugs, devices and digital health, along with more robust partnerships between big pharma and the startup biotech community to fuel further growth. MassBio is evolving in lockstep and I’m thrilled to spearhead this new chapter so we can meet the global and diverse demands of our members.”
Prior to joining MassBio, Kendalle practiced law in the areas of Estate and Medicaid Planning, Probate and Asset Protection. She graduated cum laude from Sacred Heart University with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science and received her Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. Kendalle serves as a Board of Director for the New England Chapter of the March of Dimes and was the Event Chair of the Black Tie for Babies Gala 2016-2018.