Board of Trustees
PNRI is supported by our Board of Trustees, which includes volunteers from many walks of life and professional experience. Together, we are ensuring that PNRI continues to deliver on its mission in a fiscally responsible and sustainable way.
Gary Kocher
Board Chair
Partner, K&L Gates LLP
Gary Kocher is a partner in the Seattle office of the global law firm of K&L Gates. He has over 35 years of experience working with emerging growth companies and investors that support them. He counsels founders on business formation issues and works with clients on a wide range of transactions, including financings, strategic partnerships and acquisitions, intellectual property creation and protection, and exit transactions.Over his career, Gary has represented hundreds of start-ups and served as counsel on more than 20 initial public offerings and numerous M&A transactions, both on the buy- and sell-side. Gary is a frequent speaker and writer on topics relevant to company formation, angel investing and exit transactions. In his spare time, he loves to fly fish and will talk for hours about river floats and piscatorial pursuits.
Matthew Gagnier
Board Treasurer
Head of Tax Controversy, GE Vernova
Matthew Gagnier is head of Global Tax Controversy at GE Vernova. Prior to that, he spent 14 years in finance at Amazon and served as an officer in the United States Navy. He currently serves as Treasurer for PNRI. His passion for science comes from the incredible impact scientific research has had on him and his family.
Tom Hayward
Board Secretary
Attorney, Law Office of Thomas S. Hayward
Thomas S. Hayward, an accomplished attorney, has been a dedicated member of PNRI’s Board of Trustees for over 12 years and currently serves as Board Secretary. Raised in Tacoma, Washington, he graduated from Stadium High School, affectionately known as the “Castle of Higher Learning.” He earned a degree in Political Science with a focus on Russian affairs from the University of Washington in 1973, followed by a law degree from Seattle University.
Tom practiced law in Seattle for over four decades, from 1978 to 2022, and now concentrates on pro-bono work from his home on Bainbridge Island.
An avid outdoorsman, Tom enjoys skiing, woodworking, and road trips to explore North America’s national parks. Married to Sara since 1988, he is a proud father of two and grandfather of two. His enduring commitment to PNRI reflects his passion for advancing scientific research.
Kellie Bickel, PhD
Trustee
SVP, Intellectual Property & Corporate Strategy, TwinStrand Biosciences
Dr. Kellie Bickel is an accomplished genomics executive with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and expanding the impact of pioneering scientific advancements. She has a proven track record in strategic business planning, commercialization, program implementation, and the development of high-value intellectual property portfolios, contributing to significant business growth. Her expertise has empowered organizations to leverage disruptive technologies and achieve exceptional ROI through IP creation, management, licensing, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation strategies.
As Senior Vice President of Intellectual Property & Corporate Strategy at TwinStrand Biosciences, a leading genomics company based in Seattle, WA, Dr. Bickel spearheads business development initiatives and fosters collaborative strategic partnerships. Her work focuses on advancing the company’s high-accuracy clinical diagnostics and innovative tools to address critical unmet needs in cancer prevention and treatment.
Dr. Bickel holds a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Washington and is a registered U.S. Patent Agent with the USPTO. Her deep expertise in translating scientific innovation into actionable strategies aligns seamlessly with PNRI’s mission to drive transformative advancements in science and medicine.
Justin Brooks
Trustee
Owner, Vertical Winery Services
Justin Brooks has extensive experience in financial consulting, strategy, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and operations. He is the founder of Vertical Wine Services, a consultancy to the wine industry, where he advises wineries on financial planning, operations, and complex capital transactions. Previously, he served as Director of Finance at Metis, LLC, and CFO at Exvere, LLC, refining corporate finance strategies and deepening his expertise in high value transactions.
Justin’s earlier roles at BlackRock, F5 Networks, and Darigold sharpened his skills in financial modeling, investment operations, and strategic planning. A graduate of the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business (MBA) and holder of a BA in Business, he combines academic excellence with practical insight. Beyond his professional achievements, Justin serves as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees at The Perkins School.
Rebecca Campbell
Trustee
Co-Founder, Cure 4 Type 1
Rebecca Campbell founded Cure 4 Type 1, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing research to cure type 1 diabetes (T1D), after her son, Aiden, was diagnosed with the disease at just 25 months old. Under Rebecca’s leadership, Cure 4 Type 1 focuses on funding research that aims to prevent the severe complications of T1D and ultimately find a cure. Rebecca is passionate about ensuring that leading researchers remain focused on solving the challenges of T1D, believing their work has the potential to unlock cures for other autoimmune diseases as well. Through Cure 4 Type 1, she inspires others to join her in creating a future free from
the burdens of this disease.
Elena Cant
Trustee
Executive Advisor, Advisory Services
Elena Cant is a seasoned corporate board director and global business executive with extensive experience in life sciences, spanning strategy, operations, and governance. She has served on the board of Societal CDMO (NASDAQ: SCTL), contributing to its Nominating and Governance and ESG Committees and observing its Audit and Compensation Committees. She completed corporate governance programs at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Elena’s career includes COO and CCO roles at innovative companies like Culture Biosciences and TwinStrand Biosciences, where she led operations, fundraising, and strategic initiatives. At TwinStrand, she quadrupled thecompany’s size and secured $50M in Series B funding. Previously, she held management roles at McKinsey & Co., Hospira, and Takeda, focusing on business growth, M&A, and operational turnarounds in domestic and global markets.
Elena holds an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago and has been recognized with the Healthcare Businesswomen Association’s Rising Star Award and Medical, Marketing & Media’s Hall of Femme Award. Fluent in English and Russian, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and camping with her family.
Tera Eerkes, PhD
Trustee
Vice President, Product Development, Oncology, Natera, Inc.
Dr. Tera Eerkes has focused her career in leading cross-functional teams to strategically translate emergent genomic technologies into market-ready diagnostics products. She joined Natera in March, 2023 as VP, Product Development, Oncology at Natera Inc. Before joining Natera, Tera spent six years at Adaptive Biotechnologies, contributed to the development of diagnostic products including IVD applications for NGS immune-sequencing diagnostics. Prior to joining Adaptive Bio., she co-founded or contributed to multiple genomic diagnostic companies, including Resolution Bioscience, Iverson Genomics and iGenix Inc., delivering efficient product development and implementing best-in-class diagnostic operations.
She received her BS in Computer Science from the University of Colorado, and her PhD in Molecular Biotechnology from the University of Washington.
Cindy Haba
Trustee
Owner, Momentum Coaching
Cindy Haba is the founder of Momentum Coaching, where she empowers highachieving professionals to clarify their goals, discover their motivations, and create strategic plans to achieve career and business success. With over 800 professionals and entrepreneurs coached, Cindy is renowned for her humor, heart, and actionable strategies. Her expertise helps clients navigate career transitions, secure promotions, and enhance leadership effectiveness. Drawing on her corporate background and coaching acumen, Cindy equips her clients with the confidence, focus, and momentum to excel in their careers.
David Martinez
Trustee
Partner, Perkins Coie LLP
David Martinez is a Partner at the law firm of Perkins Coie, where his practice focuses on mergers, acquisitions, growth equity, and joint ventures. He advises companies and investors in technology, biotechnology, healthcare, agribusiness, aerospace, and industrial sectors, counseling executives and boards of directors on complex transactions and growth strategies.
David is passionate about shaping community and opportunity in the greater Puget Sound and is a proud member of Leadership Tomorrow’s Class of 2025. David enjoys mountain biking and skiing with his sons and attending every Seattle Sounders match possible.
Stephan Martinez
Trustee
Owner, Trysk Print Solutions
Stephan Martinez was born in Pemberville, Ohio, and spent many happy years splitting time with Trier, Germany, as the son of a serviceman. After earning his degree from Denison University, he fine-tuned his people skills as a bartender before launching into the weird and wonderful world of labels and packaging. Stephan founded Trysk Print Solutions in 2008 with the generous permission of his wife Kortney and the passive-aggressive acquiescence of his three cats.
Linda Mauzy, CFA
Trustee
Wealth Manager, General Catalyst Wealth Management
Linda Mauzy is a Wealth Manager at GC Wealth, a next-generation wealth management platform built for individuals, families, and organizations. GC Wealth is a trusted partner throughout the wealth journey, tailored to the selfmade generation, allowing individuals to focus on their company, family, and other life priorities. At GC Wealth, Linda brings decades of experience spanning Private Wealth Management, having managed funds for institutions, foundations, and individuals at Parametric Portfolio Associates, and several private bank organizations.
Linda earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from Cal Poly Humboldt and a master’s in economics from UC Santa Barbara and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. She approaches investment management with a scientific perspective focused on quantitatively driven results. Linda has an intense passion for innovation by bringing the practical and possible into alignment with clients’ needs.
She spends her free time outdoors, hiking and skiing and is based in Bellevue,Washington.
Shirin McConaghy
Trustee
Vice President, Business Development, Deloitte
Shirin McConaghy is a seasoned sales executive with extensive experience in advertising, cloud computing, and strategic sales management. Currently serving as a VP of Business Development at Deloitte in Seattle, Shirin serves clients across the PNW.
Shirin joined the PNRI board in June 2023 given her passion for advancing genetic research for key diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes.
Erick Rabins
Trustee
Director Corporate Development, SGC Pharma Inc.
Erick Rabins has more than 30 years’ experience in executive leadership roles and venture capital investing with a focus on early-stage life-science innovations. He is currently Director of Corporate Development for US-based SGC Pharma after spending several years in Singapore as head of a regional tech incubator and as an investment banker.
His prior roles included Managing Consultant of the Delta Dental of Washington’s Seed Investment Fund, Senior Vice President of the Partnership Group at Xinova (formerly Intellectual Ventures) and as Founder and Executive Director of Auxin Partners. Erick also served as the first Vice President of Allied Minds, a venture capital company dedicated to starting new companies directly from university and National Research Laboratory technologies.
Erick has served on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and as Treasurer of the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association (LSNW) and on Boards of several non-governmental organizations working on global health and economic development projects around the world.