BIO Patient Advocacy Changemakers Event 2026

Martha Nolan joined the HealthyWomen in 2020, bringing more than 30 years of federal and state policy and lobbying experience in health care, health insurance and women’s health, as well as demonstrated skill in relations with federal agencies, coalition building, and networking. Martha previously worked for the Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research (ARBIR) as the Senior Director for Government and Strategic Affairs. Within her leadership responsibilities she advised the Executive Director on the development and implementation of ARBIR’s policy and government relation goals, initiatives and objectives; and developing and maintaining effective liaison with government officials and counterparts in other organizations and coalitions. Martha has worked in the Washington Office of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as a Health Policy and Issues Management Analyst handling all issues related to women’s health. Prior to CDC, Martha was Vice President of Policy at the Society for Women’s Health Research. Her advocacy was instrumental in securing passage of the Women’s Health Office Act, making permanent the offices of women’s health in the federal health agencies as well as in transforming the study of sex differences at NIH and the examination of demographic data in FDA regulatory approvals. She also has seventeen years of experience working for the health insurance industry both as a lawyer and a lobbyist. Martha earned her JD at Suffolk University Law School and her BA from Harvard University.

Dr. George Tidmarsh is the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. The Center’s mission is to ensure that safe, effective, and high-quality drugs are available to the public.

Will Reeve carries forward his father’s legacy by showing that true heroism lies in compassion, resilience, and everyday acts of courage.

Brian Warren is Vice President, State Government Affairs, for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Brian works with a team of four regional directors to represent the biotech industry before state executives and legislatures across the United States. Brian joined BIO in 2016, originally covering 13 states in the Western U.S. During his time at BIO, Brian has collaborated in and led numerous efforts to engage on legislation affecting biotech innovation, patient access to treatments and cures, and public health policy. Before joining BIO, Brian headed the government affairs program as Vice President for Government Affairs with the California Pharmacists Association. Brian also has extensive experience in healthcare and professional regulation, spending time as a Benefits Manager with the California State Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board and Legislative Manager with the California State Department of Consumer Affairs.

Mike works with many C-suite clients, senior managers and external key opinion leaders on corporate and media strategy, reputation management, positioning, messaging, presentation and media coaching, regulatory consulting, and crisis and issues planning and management. Former CNBC journalist and Emmy-winning TV news reporter.

Kimberly Beer is the Senior Vice President of Policy & External Affairs at the National Health Council (NHC), where she leads strategic policy initiatives and advocacy efforts to improve the lives of individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities. As a member of the executive leadership team, she drives the NHC’s mission to ensure access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans. Previously, Kim served as the Senior Director of Public Policy at the Chistopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, where she led legislative, and advocacy efforts focused on paralysis and disability issues. She worked to raise awareness, secure federal funding for the National Paralysis Resource Center, and ensured access to care for those impacted by paralysis. Kim’s experience in public policy advocacy also includes roles as Director of Public Policy at Susan G. Komen, Director of Advocacy at the Arthritis Foundation, and Assistant Director of Federal Affairs at the American Academy of Physician Assistants (now Associates). Earlier in her career, she served as Senior Legislative Assistant to Governor Pedro Rosselló of Puerto Rico and as Legislative Assistant to Congressman Luis G. Fortuño. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from The Catholic University, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University, and Post-Master’s Certificates in Clinical Community Counseling and At-Risk Counseling from The Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, for nearly twenty years, she serves as a Special Needs Counselor for Potomac Community Resources, providing respite care and support for teens and adults with developmental differences.

Ashley John currently serves as the Director of Issue Advocacy at Novartis. Prior to Joining Novartis in 2023, Ashley worked as the Senior Director of Patient Advocacy and Alliances at BIO where she served as a liaison and resource between BIO and the patient advocacy community. Additionally, she held the position of Manager of Advocacy and Policy at the American Academy of Dermatology Association, where she conducted extensive policy and legislative research and strategized how best to advocate on behalf of the physician community. Ashley began her career as a Manager of Policy and Regulatory Research at Food Directions, a Government Relations consulting firm specializing in nutrition, health, and food safety policy. Ashley studied at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris; graduating with a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and a Minor in Economics. She received a Master of Science in Health and Medical Policy from George Mason University.

Melanie Lendnal is the Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy at the ALS Association, where she leads the organization’s public policy efforts to make ALS a livable disease while working to find a cure. Before coming to the Association, Melanie built and led the state government affairs team at the American Kidney Fund. She is a licensed attorney and former Emmy award-winning journalist.

Mr. Hastings was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Nkarta in February 2018. Mr. Hastings was recently the Chairman and CEO of OncoMed Pharmaceuticals. Prior to joining OncoMed in 2006, Mr. Hastings was President and Chief Executive Officer of QLT, Inc. Previous to that, Mr. Hastings served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Axys Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Celera Corporation in 2001. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Hastings served as the President of Chiron BioPharmaceuticals, a division of Chiron Corporation. Prior to that, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of LXR Biotechnology. Mr. Hastings also held a series of management positions of increasing responsibility at Genzyme Corporation, including serving as President of Genzyme Therapeutics Europe as well as President, Genzyme Therapeutics. Mr. Hastings also served as Vice President, Marketing and Sales and General Manager, Europe for Synergen, Inc., and previously held a series of marketing and sales management positions with Hoffmann-La Roche. He is currently Lead Independent Director of Pacira Biosciences, Inc., and serves as Chair of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Mr. Hastings was on the Board of Directors of ViaCyte (acquired by Vertex in 2022), was Chairman of the Board of Proteon Therapeutics, was on the Board of Directors of Relypsa (acquired by Galenica in 2016), was Chairman of the Board of Proteolix (acquired by Onyx Pharmaceuticals in 2010), and served on the board of ViaCell (acquired by Perkin-Elmer in 2007). Mr. Hastings received a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island.