Developing Stem Cell Solutions

The Isthmus Foundation (TIF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming stem cell discoveries into cures for unmet medical needs. Through our alliances we bridge the gap between academic and scientific research and the development and delivery of more effective patient therapies. Our advocacy and passion leverage regional and global resources, partnerships, and funds to advance promising stem cell science for human health.

Stem cells are powerful because of their versatility. The ability to differentiate into other cell types, to repair and modify injured and diseased tissue and be manufactured and delivered as clinical products holds the promise for developing new treatments and cures for a wide range of conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease & neurological

Board Of Directors

Ross Dunbar | Executive Director and Chair

Operations, Supply-chain, Business Development & Management

James Dutton, PhD | Vice Chair

Biology and Research
Asst. Prof at University of Minnesota, Stem Cell Institute

Michael Okerlund | General Counsel, Secretary

Partner Hansen Reynolds, LLC
CEO – Cloud Court, Inc.
Patent Law

Steve Wold | Treasurer

Retired Executive VP & CFO; Skywater Technology
Accountancy and Finance

Board Advisors

Name Entity Discipline
Katie Ahmann, PhD Owner/ Founder of Ahmann Consulting  (MN) Stem Cell; New Product Development, Program Management
Stacy Eichenlaub, MBA Owner/ Founder of Kinetica Consulting, LLC (MN) Marketing
Jeffrey N. Gibbs Director, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. (Washington, D.C.) FDA & Regulatory
Gary L. Graham Vice President Operations at Aria CV (MN) Operations
Don Hardison President & CEO of Biotheranostics  (CA) Management
Caleb Kennedy, PhD Senior Director, Healthcare, at Somalogic Bio Statistics
Susan Keirstead, PhD University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute Faculty and Administrator. Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology (IBP) (MN) Cell Biology
R. Don Keysser, DBA, CM&AA Managing Partner, Hannover, Ltd. (MN)

Finance

Ann Lenczewski Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. (MN) (Minnesota House Representative (former) (1999-2015) Government Relations
Dan Mans Co-Founder, Executive Partner at Voyageur Medical Management, Clinical and Regulatory

Prof. Timothy D. O’Brien

DVM, PhD, University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute Faculty, Division Head, Comparative Pathology, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine (VPM) (MN) Cell Biology
Charlotte Pendleton VP Lifescience  and Medical Sales – MEDSEARCH  (NY)

Sales & Marketing

Laura Sullivan Sr. Commercial Operations Leader, GE Healthcare Life Sciences (MA) Reimbursement

Tom Tack

Founder & Principal, Beta Wave Consulting, LLC (MN) Sales & Marketing
Pete Thomas, MBA Former Medtronic Business Unit Director

Supply Chain & Commercial

Tim Tripp, MBA

Director of Cell and Gene Therapy Operation at Be The match Biotherapies

Operations

Patrick Walsh, MS CEO Anatomic Inc,  UMN Stem Cell Start Up, (MN) Research/Start up

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