Our People

As a member of the Health Advances team, you’ll be working with scientists, clinicians, and business professionals who are leaders in their field. Two-thirds of our consulting staff have earned advanced degrees from top universities and all share a passion for driving innovations that improve healthcare.

Brandon, Senior Director
I'm a big fan of…

anything that gets me on an athletic field, woodworking/building furniture, scuba diving, and UVA Football.

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Brandon, Senior Director
  • University of Virginia, BS in Biochemistry and BA in Biology
  • University of Virginia, Dr. Anthony Spano- Undergraduate Research
  • University of Virginia, Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Organic Chemistry Teaching Assistant

Health Advances Culture…

Being new to Health Advances I originally was tentative about what the office culture would be like. This uneasiness was quickly dissipated as the environment at Health Advances is evident from the first time you walk through the door. Casual dress and a lighthearted atmosphere promote open conversation amongst employees from all levels in the office. Everyone at Health Advances is willing to help, truly embodying the team atmosphere we were told about in interviews. I grew up playing sports in high school and on through college so having that sense of community with a common goal made me feel right at home. We all bring our own set of skills and expertise that we relish, not because we are enabled by them, but because we are able to share them with others every day.

Fun Facts…

  • Led a week-long environmental conservation volunteer trip to Cayos Cochinos, Honduras in 2011 and, as philanthropy chair for Sigma Chi’s Derby Days, raised over $27,000 for the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital in 2012
  • Was an Organic Chemistry Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Assistant for 6 semesters at the University of Virginia
  • Was a US Lacrosse Academic All-American in 2008
Caitlin, Senior Event Manager
I’m a big fan of…

Being with my family, the Maine coast, and cooking.

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Caitlin, Senior Event Manager
  • University of Massachusetts, BA, English
  • University of Limerick, Ireland, Irish Literature

Health Advances Events…

Health Advances participates in roughly 40 health care conferences per year-whether we are attending, speaking, or hosting panels and receptions, there is never a dull moment! I also plan Health Advances internal events. HA offers a wide variety of fun social events with a little something for everyone: trivia night, lawn games and food trucks, holiday parties and much more!

Interests…

Cooking (especially for family), travel (especially to visit family), constantly trying to improve my home decorating skills…foreign films (to my husband’s chagrin), and Sunday trips to local farms.

Carrie, Partner
I’m a big fan of…

eating, skiing and snowboarding, traveling, Maine, and NFL on Sunday afternoons.

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Carrie, Partner
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MS, Organic Chemistry
  • Merck & Co., Inc., Chemist, Medicinal Chemistry Department
  • Williams College, BA, Chemistry

Health Advances: Constantly Learning…

The wide variety of cases at Health Advances keep my work interesting and allow me to expand my knowledge and experience across the healthcare industry, therapeutic areas, and functional areas. Having joined Health Advances with a chemistry background and pharmaceutical experience, my knowledge of the healthcare industry was limited to therapeutics. Within my first year at Health Advances, I was involved in diagnostic and medical device cases as well as drug cases and have enjoyed learning about and working across all three industries. The pace of our work and the timeline of projects, which each last 6 weeks on average, also ensure that we are constantly learning and engaged in our work.

Fun Facts…

  • Hiked the Inca trail (and highly recommend the trip)
  • Lived in Sweden when I was 5 and had my birthday party at McDonalds
  • Worked as an athletic trainer for the rugby team in college and decided to join the team
Dana, Chief Talent Acquisition Officer
Fun Facts…
  • Won $10,000 in a local radio contest
  • Had a radio show in Slovakia called “Moonbase Tango”
  • Got married barefoot on the beach in St. John
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Dana, Chief Talent Acquisition Officer
  • Babson College, BS, Marketing and Communications
  • Peace Corps Volunteer, Small Business Development, Slovakia
  • EF International Language School, Brighton, Director of Student Life
  • EF AuPair, Regional Manager

Health Advances: Committees that Work . . .

I have had my hands in just about everything at Health Advances. One of the benefits of a small company is that you really do have the power to make an impact. There are all kinds of internal committees which allow people to contribute and grow in ways which suit their personal and professional development goals. If someone has a new idea or identifies a specific need for the firm, they are always encouraged to join an existing committee or form a new group to see if they can make it happen. I enjoy the variety of challenges and tasks associated with everything from the social committee to the business development teams. I love being involved in the planning of company events – from the casual BBQ or trivia night to the formal new year kick-off party. There is never a dull day at Health Advances!

I’m a big fan of…

the Red Sox and the Patriots, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, masters swimming and spicy food.

Gary, Partner and Managing Director
Fun Facts…

Sings in Slapdash Graduate, a vocal rock band which made it to the top 24 in NBC’s reality show, Star Tomorrow!

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Gary, Partner and Managing Director
  • Duke University, BSE in Biomedical Engineering
  • Stony Brook University, MS in Biomedical Engineering
  • Forest Laboratories, Intellectual Property Intern
  • Internships with OSI Pharmaceuticals and Becton Dickinson

Health Advances: Work/Life Balance…

I have been very pleasantly surprised at the importance that Health Advances puts on a healthy work/life balance. While work comes first, Health Advances has always been respectful of my commitments outside of work and allowed me to pursue many music groups including the Civic Symphony Orchestra of Boston, an a cappella group, and a vocal rock group. I’ve even taken some time off to film for the show in LA.

I’m a big fan of…

losing money at poker, opera, Duke basketball, and eucalyptus steam rooms.

Holger, PhD, Vice President
I’m a big fan of…

I am big fan of the European lifestyle and I specifically embrace public transport. Many people think this is weird and encourage me to get a car. I suggest you try the public transport out once: the world around slows down, you have more time for yourself, and you will live a gentler life – trust me!

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Holger, PhD, Vice President
  • In depth experience in commercialization of scientific innovations across a wide range of therapeutic indications and modalities both as line manager and consultant
  • Led the marketing and sales functions as Chief commercial officer at multiple startups in the Switzerland and the United Kingdom
  • Held several senior commercial roles at Novartis pharmaceuticals both at the global and local level with his latest position as Global head of brand vigilance
  • Management consultant for Bain & Company
  • Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), PhD, Physical Chemistry
  • Leibniz University, MS, Chemistry
  • CFA Institute, Charlottesville, VA, CFA

A typical day at Health Advances…

I like to start my day with a small exercise program before heading to the office. And as true European I commute by public transport, which allows me either to browse through some emails that my US-based colleagues have send overnight, take a look into the morning papers, or plan my day. Arriving at the office, I enjoy the coffee I have been waiting for (the typical settings in our machine are short coffee, extra-strong taste). If I do not have meetings planned for the morning, I aim to tackle the most complicated tasks early in the morning so that they don’t get pushed towards the end of the day. And from lunchtime onwards, when my US colleagues wake up, my agenda becomes either more meeting-heavy or freewheeling, depending on the demands of the day. As I have the pleasure of living by a lake, I enjoy finishing my day with a dip in the water (in the summer).

Personal Information…

In my free time to enjoy solitary activities. These could be sports like running or cycling or in the case of bad weather reading a good book or listening to music. In summer I enjoy sitting on my balcony, easily for hours, and enjoying the view of the sun setting (unfortunately someone always interrupts). Personally, I believe that the silver screen (or books for that matter) hold advice for about every situation in life I have come by so far. I have this strange ability to store the one-liners from movies or books in some part of my brain, allowing me to contribute with a (borrowed) opinion on almost every subject. Try me!

Jeff, PhD, Engagement Manager
I’m a big fan of…

my dog Uno. We adopted him last year, and we don’t know what breed he is, but he looks exactly like the Emoji dog icon.

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Jeff, PhD, Engagement Manager
  • Harvard University, PhD, Chemical Biology
  • Goucher College, BA, Chemistry, magna cum laude, Dean’s Scholar

Health Advances Case Experience…

I had previously studied molecular biology before coming to Health Advances, but some of my first few cases were for companies focused around blood collection and transfusion. After just a few months at Health Advances, I’ve now become something of an expert on blood!

Typical Day at Health Advances…

I try to get into the office between 8 and 9. First thing, I typically review my calendar for the day, and respond to any emails from the day before. Based on what I have scheduled, I might attend a few meetings, lead an interview with a healthcare expert, or block off time to make slides for an upcoming presentation. Unless I have something scheduled, I meet up with a big group of colleagues for lunch at 11:30; we usually have to push a few tables together to fit everyone! I spend the afternoon working on any deliverables for cases, be it a slide deck or word document, so that I can send it to my case team leader for review by the end of the day. I usually get home with plenty of time to unwind, play with the dog, and cook dinner.

My Interests are…

I really like word games, such as crossword puzzles or the Spelling Bee game from the New York Times. I also like to take walks with my dog, host friends for dinner parties, brew (and drink!) craft beer, take pictures of our travels, and play ultimate frisbee.

Jess, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
Fun Facts…
  • I started my own non-profit called “In This Together” which provides grants for individuals who are faced with unexpected financial hardships
  • I raised a record breaking $64,000 for Maine Cancer Foundation’s Tri for a Cure. I have also served as a member of their Board of Directors.
  • I was an All-Conference distance runner at Wheaton College
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Jess, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
  • Wheaton College, BA, Studio Art
  • Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia, Concentration in Sociology
  • Pierce Promotions and Event Management, Training Specialist

Health Advances Culture…

I love working at Health Advances not only because I work with a great group of talented people but also because of Health Advances’ dedication to community involvement. Everyone finds time in their busy schedules to collaboratively give back to others. You can find a member of Health Advances paying it forward in a variety of different ways. Whether it be a 20-mile Walk for Hunger Challenge or raising money for “Bead for Life” to help women in Uganda, you can always find a colleague dedicated to making a difference. Health Advances supports our own personal goals in this area by allowing us to share our ideas with the company as well as providing us with three days off a year to dedicate to community outreach. This is also the only place that I have ever worked where there is a devoted group of people who plan events outside of the office where we can all relax, have fun, and get to know each other better.

I’m a big fan of…

Time spent with family, summers in Maine, oil pastels, and staying active

Mark, Co-Founder and Senior Advisor
Fun Facts…
  • Started three businesses before I went to college
  • Scrimshander (etch designs on whalebone for jewelry)
  • Designed diagnostic for erectile dysfunction as college thesis
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Mark, Co-Founder and Senior Advisor
  • Dartmouth College, BA, Engineering Sciences, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
  • Stanford University, MBA, Arjay Miller Scholar
  • Bain & Company, Partner, 10 years
  • Health Advances, Co-Founder, 21 years

Health Advances: Working with the Smartest and Nicest People Around…

I am extremely proud of Health Advances – our people, our integrity, and our clients’ accomplishments. It is extremely gratifying to frequently receive compliments from senior industry executives about our insights and our people. Working in small teams with our clients, we are pioneering the successful commercialization of new medical technologies to improve peoples’ lives. Our firm understands – perhaps better than any other consulting firm – the nuances of referral patterns, clinical decision making, and reimbursement. Rather than fear these issues as impediments, with our advice, our clients navigate them as competitive weapons.

I’m a big fan of…

my wife, my kids and all their teams and clubs, the seacoast, travel, and eating!

Sheela, Partner and Managing Director
I’m a big fan of…

cappuccinos, live music, and the beach!

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Sheela, Partner and Managing Director
  • Stanford University, BA, Human Biology
  • Harvard Business School, MBA
  • Senior Research Manager, The Advisory Board Company

Health Advances: Working with Early-Stage Companies…

One of the reasons I joined Health Advances was for the opportunity to work with new ventures and get hands-on experience with the key issues involved in founding and developing a new business. Health Advances works with portfolio companies of several venture capital firms and has been directly involved in starting new businesses. This year, I worked with three venture-backed diagnostic and device companies. In these cases, my teams worked closely with the founders and managers to evaluate key strategic issues, such as which customers to first target, what exit options to consider, and how to position the companies to attract investment. I find it exhilarating to work with these clients, as they are closely involved and invested in their businesses and strongly rely on our strategic advice. This exciting client base definitely distinguishes Health Advances from many of the larger consulting firms.

Fun Facts…

  • Have traveled to over 20 countries, including Guatemala, Sri Lanka, and Morocco
  • Obsessed with crossword puzzles and People
  • Appeared as an extra in “The Recruit”
Tara, Research Services Manager
Fun Facts…
  • Believes personality was used to create Hermione character in Harry Potter books (“took it out for some light reading”)
  • Quilt addict, loves to bake, never enough time to spend in the garden
  • Childhood dream of appearing on Jeopardy
  • Has driven an 18-wheeler truck, a fire engine, and operated a 53-ton capacity excavator
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Tara, Research Services Manager
  • L.E.K. Consulting, US Information Manager
  • Simmons College, MLS, Archives
  • Wells College, BA, History and Russian Studies

Health Advances: Working With Information…

My specialty is being able to locate the “impossible-to-find” niche healthcare data. It’s just part of the job description. I am a self-confessed news junkie and CNN addict. I enjoy the creative environment here as well as the work ethic of my colleagues. There is never a dull moment – who can be bored when investigating cutting edge medical technologies so new that only a handful of surgeons have even heard of the operation? Each day I am tasked, alongside my fellow Knowledge Management team members, with finding the concrete data which will enable our case teams to develop insights for our clients. Real questions, real challenges in a team setting which has a direct and visual impact on each of our clients.

I’m a big fan of…

Dove dark chocolate, being organized, and Mythbusters!

Vivek, Partner and Managing Director
I’m a big fan of…

the Los Angeles Lakers, spending time with my three daughters and wife and the 100s of news alerts I receive daily.

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Vivek, Partner and Managing Director
  • Washington University in Saint Louis, PhD, Molecular Cell Biology
  • Washington University in Saint Louis, Co-Director, BioEntrepreneurship Core
  • Boston University, MA, Biotechnology
  • Boston University, BA, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

Health Advances: Broad Exposure with an Opportunity to Specialize . . .

One of the key attractions that brought me to Health Advances was the opportunity to work across multiple therapeutic areas and product types in the healthcare space. Since joining the firm, I have worked with clients developing therapeutics, devices, or diagnostics for HIV, obesity, heart failure, hepatitis C infection, and prostate cancer just to name a few.

Fun Facts…

  • I grew up wanting to be an aeronautical engineer
  • I have known my wife since I was 12
Balazs, Partner
Fun Facts…
  • I once watched the tennis competition at Wimbledon from the Royal Box
  • I cannot stand dill except in pickle juice
  • Growing up I really, really wanted to be a DJ
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Balazs, Partner
  • Lyndra, Inc., Vice President, Operations
  • Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Senior Director, Business Development
  • Wharton School of Business, MBA, Finance, honors distinction
  • Corvinus University (Budapest / Hungary), MS, Economics, honors distinction

Health Care Industry…

One of the most exhilarating parts of our job at Health Advances is to see, and help grow, the myriad of new products and technologies in the healthcare industry. Often times, we get involved well before a product reaches the market and we get to shape its journey to patients. We see, and are able to affect, the future of healthcare.