New Appointment and Team Promotions at BioNJ

On Dec 19, 2022

BioNJ, the trade association for New Jersey’s life sciences industry, announced that Pavita Howe, MBA, will join the organization as vice president, innovation and entrepreneurship. Pavita is an entrepreneurial leader with more than 20 years of experience in business development, marketing, strategy, program management, new products, launches, business planning, and building ecosystems at start-ups, academic institutions and large organizations.

Most recently, Pavita served as director of entrepreneurship partnerships at Rutgers University, where she worked with internal and external partners to grow Rutgers’ entrepreneurial ecosystem, bring visibility to Rutgers affiliated startups, and connect them to valuable resources at the university and across the broader New Jersey entrepreneurial community.

“We are thrilled to have Pavita join the BioNJ Team,” said BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart. “As BioNJ’s vice president, innovation and entrepreneurship, Pavita will engage and support the life sciences entrepreneurial community and innovation ecosystem expanding BioNJ’s outreach and collaboration with investor, academic, industry and government partners with the intention to increase successful entrepreneurship. Additionally, Pavita will lead the BioNJ BioPartnering Conference forging new opportunities and pathways for collaboration while building on its 10-year history of success.”

Additionally, the following BioNJ Team members have been promoted:

Randi Bromberg has been promoted to senior vice president, communications and marketing. Since joining BioNJ in February 2015, Bromberg’s leadership role within the organization has continued to expand, including liaising with the association’s patient advocacy community and spearheading BioNJ’s Patient Access and Value of Medical Innovation Campaigns.

Cheri Hennessy has been promoted to vice president, member engagement and strategic partnerships. In this expanded role, Hennessy will work closely with BioNJ’s broad base of members to ensure they have the resources and support they need to grow and flourish.

Denise Machado has been promoted to executive director, member operations. Before joining BioNJ in August 2013, Machado spent 20 years at Bristol Myers Squibb. In her current position, Denise oversees BioNJ’s member operations, including membership dues and renewals as well as sponsorship and grant administration.

Debbie Mennito has been promoted to executive director, conferences, committees and workforce. In addition to planning and executing dozens of educational programs annually, as well as overseeing BioNJ’s Talent and Career Network Portal, Mennito is now responsible for managing BioNJ’s numerous working committees.

Ian McLaughlin, Ph.D., has been promoted to vice president, government affairs. A life scientist by training, McLaughlin joined BioNJ in July after serving as a policy analyst in the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office, working as a committee aide to the Assembly Health and Aging & Senior Services Committees.

Dawn Piccioni has been promoted to director, marketing and design. Using her 25 years of experience in marketing, digital media, design and trade show management, Piccioni works across the organization to help create and execute all communications and marketing programs.

Dana Sacco has been promoted to Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO. In addition to managing the President and CEO’s office, Dana will now support BioNJ’s Purchasing Consortium which provides Members with savings on a wide variety of services and supplies.

Ann Wieczkowski has been promoted to executive director, accounting operations. She manages the accounts receivable function and supports the financial management processes. Additionally, Wieczkowski interfaces with BioNJ members and auditors, prepares financial reports and helps develop and implement HR procedures.

“As we enter our 30th year, BioNJ continues to expand its role within New Jersey’s vibrant life sciences ecosystem,” stated Hart. “These promotions of our talented team members, along with the addition of the new position of vice president, innovation and entrepreneurship, will further support BioNJ’s mission of helping our members help patients. BioNJ is inspired by and privileged to work with those committed to improving the lives of patients and their families around the world.”

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