Elise Brownell, PhD
About Elise Brownell, PhD
Elise Brownell, PhD, serves as an Astia Sift Industry Expert and has extensive experience in project management and leadership within the biopharmaceutical sector. Currently, she holds several executive roles, including Vice President of R&D Project Management at Todos Medical and Executive Vice President at Vivacitas Oncology Inc.
Work at Astia
Elise Brownell serves as an Astia Sift Industry Expert, a role she has held since 2008. In this capacity, she focuses on supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive leadership within the startup ecosystem. Her extensive experience in project management and operational strategy contributes to her effectiveness in this position. She has also previously worked as a Lead Advisor at Astia for a brief period in 2010.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
Elise Brownell holds multiple positions in various organizations. She has been an Executive Board Member at How Women Lead since 2021 and a Limited Partner at How Women Invest since the same year. Additionally, she serves as Vice President of R&D Project Management at Todos Medical, a role she has maintained since 2018. She is also the Executive Vice President of Portfolio and Project Management at Vivacitas Oncology Inc. and the Interim Executive Vice President of Operations and Project Management at Amarantus BioScience, both positions she has held since 2016.
Educational Background
Elise Brownell has a strong academic foundation in biology. She earned her PhD and MPhil from Yale University, where she studied from 1975 to 1980. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in English from Allegheny College, completed between 1971 and 1975. Additionally, she studied at the Eastman School of Music, where she achieved a diploma in Piano.
Professional Experience
Elise Brownell has extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. She has held various leadership roles, including Senior Director and Head of Project Management at Aerovance, and multiple positions at Bayer, including Director of Project Management. Her career spans over three decades, with significant contributions in project management, operations, and program leadership across different organizations.
Advisory Roles and Contributions
Elise Brownell actively participates in advisory boards and serves as a board director, focusing on initiatives that support women in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Her expertise in synthesizing complex information allows her to effectively communicate and advocate for women's leadership and entrepreneurship.