Laura Smith (She/Her)
About Laura Smith (She/Her)
Laura Smith serves as the VP and Chief of Staff for Therapeutics at Mammoth Biosciences, bringing extensive experience from previous roles in various biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. She has a strong background in finance and operations, having held leadership positions at organizations such as FibroGen, Ascendis Pharma, and Gilead Sciences.
Work at Mammoth Biosciences
Laura Smith serves as the VP, Chief of Staff, Therapeutics at Mammoth Biosciences. She has held this position since 2022 and is based in South San Francisco, California. In her role, she oversees various therapeutic initiatives and collaborates closely with the executive team to drive strategic goals within the organization.
Previous Employment History
Prior to her current role, Laura Smith worked at several notable organizations. She was the Executive Director of Clinical Contracting and Outsourcing at FibroGen, Inc. from 2010 to 2019. Before that, she served as the Business Process and Optimization Lead at Ascendis Pharma from 2020 to 2022. Her earlier experience includes positions at OXiGENE, Inc. as R&D Controller and Nektar Therapeutics as Associate Director of Accounting.
Education and Expertise
Laura Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Agnes Scott College and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University - J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her expertise in financial analysis and operational management within the biotechnology sector.
Achievements in Financial Management
Throughout her career, Laura Smith has made significant contributions to financial management. She partnered with the CEO and Finance team to establish financial controls and an accrual process that ensured SOX compliance, which facilitated her previous company's ability to go public. Additionally, she negotiated substantial cost savings with a vendor, allowing her company to conduct multiple phase three trials more cost-effectively.
Leadership and Community Involvement
Laura Smith has demonstrated leadership beyond her corporate roles. She served as Chair of the Board of Directors for Project Open Hand during a planned transition of the Executive Director, showcasing her commitment to community service and organizational governance.