We are committed to accelerating scientific and medical breakthroughs by creating teams that are tailored to each project through our extended network of partners.
This work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, Nature, Science, Forbes, Wired, STAT, MIT Technology Review, Huffpost, Fast Company and BioTechniques, amongst other publications. How We Work
Nancy J Kelley
Nancy J Kelley, JD, is a nationally recognized executive who has driven key strategic initiatives in science and medicine for over 20 years. She has a deep understanding of the healthcare, life science and research fields and has in-depth knowledge of the related legal, business, government, non-profit and academic sectors in NYC and across the country.
Ms. Kelley's prior leadership history includes work in scientific institutions, life science companies and life science real estate development. She is a Founding Member of NYC Builds BIO+. She is a member of the Founding Leadership team of the international scientific project GP-write and the associated Center of Excellence for Engineering Biology, and helped to launch the Biodesign Challenge. Ms. Kelley was the Founding Executive Director of the New York Genome Center and a lead executive in the development of the East River Science Park (now, Alexandria Life Science Center) in Manhattan. She has overseen major development projects for clients such as Harvard's McLean Hospital, NIH, Johns Hopkins, and MIT.
Ms. Kelley also acquired years of experience in growing life science companies from start-up through development into established enterprises as a former corporate securities partner at the Boston law firm of Hale and Dorr (now Wilmer Hale).
Ms. Kelley has served on Boards for the New York Genome Center, The Jackson Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Whitehead Institute.
She holds an AS from Manchester Community College, a BA from Yale College, a JD from Harvard Law School and an MPP from Harvard Kennedy School. She has been appointed both a White House Fellow and Truman Scholar.
More on Nancy
Nancy on THE Big4Bio Podcast
Nancy on the Nature Biotechnology
First Rounder Podcast
"Nancy J Kelley, founder and chief executive of Nancy J Kelley + Associates, a consultancy creating and developing projects and institutions for science and medicine, touches on establishing the East River Science Park, excelling at Yale as a young mother of three and why one must take risks in life."
Nancy on Acumen's Life Sphere Podcast
"In this episode Kathy and Nancy discuss Life Sciences Real Estate, Digital Transformation, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and how a straight line is not always the best path."
Meet the Team
Nancy Bocanegra
CHIEF OF MARKETING AND OPERATIONS
Nancy Bocanegra is a Digital Strategist who creates strategies to engage target audiences by cultivating relationships using digital and social media platforms. Nancy spent almost a decade in operations and relationship management using Digital Marketing tools and resources to expand outreach and facilitate workflows for Academic Institutions.
Dr. Dirk J. Evers
SENIOR CONSULTANT
Dr. Evers has been active in biotechnology and science for more than 15 years. He is recognized as an expert in bioinformatics and DNA sequencing technology with applications in molecular biology and precision medicine. He has found a second vocation in project managing the construction of R&D and diagnostic laboratory buildings for pharma and biotech.
Kate McDonough
SENIOR CONSULTANT
Kate McDonough focuses on business development and project management at NJK+A. Kate has built her career developing young companies in the biotechnology and software spaces. Previously, Kate worked at Hive, a project management software backed by Comcast and based in 1 World Trade, New York City.
Olga Justiniano
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Olga Justiniano is a creative and driven individual with a passion for helping others. Olga has a professional background of 10+ years of experience in different industries, spending the last five years in healthcare. She specializes in administrative services, operations, Scrum framework, and project management.
Ursula Naclerio
EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
As Executive Operations Administrator at NJK+A, Ursula brings over 20 years of experience in professional executive assistant positions. Ursula has a proven track record of skillfully executing various administrative duties, client relations and project management.
David Cohen
SENIOR CONSULTANT
David Cohen is a real estate development and construction executive with 10+ years of project management experience executing $500M worth of contracts successfully in 8 states.
Bhakti Kulmala
LEAD DESIGNER
Bhakti Kulmala is a designer, brand creator, and digital strategist with over a decade's experience in helping people and organizations both in the US and Europe to clarify and communicate their message and services online. She combines a mindful Scandinavian design sensitivity with a bold, innovational approach from her US marketing experience.
Joe Abadi
SENIOR CONSULTANT
Joe is an experienced finance executive including 10 years investment banking and private equity experience. He began his career at JP Morgan & Goldman Sachs, followed by 5 years in Private Equity focused on real estate. In addition Joe has worked as CFO of a regional offshore bank. Currently, Joe assists PE owned portfolio companies with capital raising, including financial modeling, the creation of private placement memorandums, investor outreach and investor management.
Connor Holford, age 8, with BB-8 he built
innovator AND MAKER,
Perhaps a future team member!
Life Science Market Assessment; Central Florida Based Developer
Kyttaro Therapeutics
The Cove
New York Genome Center
GP-write and The Center of Excellence for Engineering Biology
Builds BIO+
OmniSeq and Cancer Diagnostic Commercialization
Personalized Wellness Medical Institute
Strategic Plan for Synthetic Biology
