Executive Leadership
PNRI is a small, lean, and independent biomedical institute. Our structure is nimble and flexible, with an administrative team built around a core value of supporting the scientists in their pursuit of discovery. Together, we are improving human health for generations to come.
Jack Faris, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Jack Faris, PhD, brings a wealth of experience to his role as CEO, including a prior term as the acting CEO of PNDRI (Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute) from 2010 – 2011.
Before rejoining PNRI, Dr. Faris held positions as an independent consultant, most recently serving as board chair for the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth. His other independent consulting projects include developing a communications strategy for the Washington Global Health Alliance, participating in the planning for the Initiative for Global Development’s National Summit on global poverty, strategic consulting for clean, low-cost energy through advanced materials at the University of Washington, and co-leading Foster Promise, which seeks to improve foster care for children state-wide.
Previously, Dr. Faris held significant leadership roles, notably as the president of the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association for four years. He also served as vice president of university relations at the University of Washington, director of community strategies for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and director of communications for the Rural Development Institute (now Landesa).
His commitment to community involvement is exemplified by his board leadership roles in numerous organizations such as the Seattle Public Library Foundation, Urban Enterprise Center, Business Volunteers for the Arts, Washington Commission for the Humanities, Seattle International Children’s Festival, and the University of Washington’s Clean Energy Institute.
Dr. Faris earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a master’s degree and PhD from the University of Chicago.
Mark Rieder, PhD
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Rieder brings extensive experience in scientific research and operational leadership. His background includes over a decade as research faculty at the University of Washington (UW), six years in operations leadership at Adaptive Biotechnologies, and roles in large-scale scientific management at both UW and the Brotman Baty Institute.
Dionne Gordon
Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Dionne Gordon is the Chief Financial Officer at PNRI where she manages and oversees accounting, financial planning and analysis, grants management, and purchasing. She brings to the position over 20 years of tax, audit, finance and accounting management experience with local and global companies. Most recently, Dionne was the Corporate Controller at TwinStrand Biosciences where she built the finance department and supported several rounds of record-breaking fundraising efforts. She earned her undergraduate degree from University of the Pacific, post-graduate management degree from University of California, Berkeley, and an advanced certification from the Internal Revenue Service.
Shannon Bowen
Chief Advancement Officer
Shannon Bowen is the Chief Advancement Officer for PNRI where she oversees both development and communications. She brings 17 years of development and communications experience and has a long track record of securing six-and-seven-figure gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entities. Previous positions include Senior Director of Development for the Center for Environmental Health, Vice President of Development for Making Waves Foundation, and Director of Development and Communications at Civicorps. Shannon earned her BA from Trinity University and is a board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Advancement Northwest.
Jason McDonald
Director of Facilities and Administration
Jason McDonald is the Director of Facilities and Administration at PNRI where he manages and oversees administration, facilities, and environmental health and safety. He brings over 20 years of facilities and operations management with a successful history of implementing effective and positive change for top companies. Most recently, Jason was the Area Facilities and Administrative Manager for a global engineering firm where he oversaw seven offices in the WA State area. Jason holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in history and the other in business management.
Louise Maxwell
Director of Communications
Louise Maxwell is the Director of Communications at PNRI, where she leads communication initiatives to amplify the institute’s mission and scientific discoveries. She brings over 17 years of experience in healthcare and biomedical research, including 13 years in senior communication roles at Seattle Children’s. She holds a Master of Communication in Digital Media from the University of Washington and draws on her arts background to make complex research more accessible and highlight how genetics research improves lives.
Scientific Leadership
PNRI currently has five independent labs each led by a principal scientist. Each lab pursues answers to fundamental questions about how genetics contributes to our innate ability to remain resilient to or to succumb to disease development.
Aimée M. Dudley, PhD
Senior Investigator and Interim Chief Scientific Officer
Cláudia Carvalho, PhD
Assistant Investigator
Rick McLaughlin, PhD
Assistant Investigator
Michael Metzger, PhD
Assistant Investigator