Kristen Vargas has been a driving force in the retail industry for over two decades. As the Vice President of Retail Operations at Walgreens, Kristen's journey began in 1996 and has evolved into a distinguished leadership role, making her a true exemplar of dedication and progress. 

Kristen's ascent within Walgreens showcases her remarkable abilities. Her journey began as a cashier and steadily progressed through a series of operational and support office roles. This unique trajectory has granted her a comprehensive understanding of the business, positioning her as a seasoned leader who brings a wealth of experience to the table. 

A graduate of Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO, Kristen holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Social Science Education, earned in 1997. Her thirst for knowledge and professional growth led her to complete a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE, in 2011. 

At Walgreens, Kristen masterfully translates company strategies into actionable operational plans, ensuring their seamless execution. Collaborating across diverse departments including merchandising, marketing, supply chain, digital projects, and IT, she orchestrates a harmonious convergence of efforts that drive the company forward. 

Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Kristen's dedication to the community is evident through her volunteer work. After being diagnosed with a rare inflammatory disease, Sarcoidosis, in 2022, she has been committed to improving research, understanding and better health for herself and others with this condition and serves as a volunteer for the Foundation of Sarcoidosis Research. 

Within Walgreens, Kristen holds a pivotal role as the Executive Sponsor of the disAbility Alliance Employee Resource Group.  She is also the Executive Sponsor supporting the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) and Walgreens relationship. Her dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace underscores her leadership style, which places people at the center of her mission. 

Kristen's passion for health equity and enhanced access to healthcare underscores her commitment to better health outcomes for all patients. Her tireless efforts align with her core values, exemplifying her genuine desire to make a lasting impact on the well-being of individuals and communities. 

Wendy White is a purpose driven and strategy-minded entrepreneur with successful track record of innovation, building and growing companies.  She is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader in rare disease inspired by the challenge of integrating the patient voice and emerging technologies into care development and delivery to improve patient outcomes.  

Wendy currently serves on several boards and advisory boards including as board director for CEEK Women’s Health a fast growing privately held for-profit company that makes a medical device named by Time magazine as one of the top inventions in 2020.   

She spent several years as a life science executive for Dohman Life Sciences (now Eversana) and Vitrisa Therapeutics as Chief Patient officer. She is a pioneer in the area of social media/patient-centered rare disease marketing. She sold and integrated the digital marketing agency she founded and built, Siren Interactive, to Dohmen Life Sciences (now Everasana).  

Wendy has spent 15 years as part of the Healthcare Businesswoman’s association (HBA) with increasing roles of responsibility. Starting as Chicago Chapter Chair and moving to corporate board member, executive committee member and in 2015 Chair of the Association. She then oversaw various committees including nominating, ad board and awards. She now serves as the Chair of all past Board Chairs with the goal to maintain this network of global leaders to continue to drive the HBA mission forward.  

She has also served as Director-at-Large for NORD where she helped launch rare disease day in the US, as Chair of Global Genes and is now Director-at-Large for the International Collaboration on Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs (ICORD).  

Her background includes four consecutive years on the Inc 5000 fastest growing company list, numerous awards, publications and speaking engagements and being recognized by PharmaVOICE with a Red Jacket lifetime achievement award as one of the most inspiring people in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Dr. Otis Johnson is the Founder of Trial Equity, whose purpose is to ensure that medicines are safe and effective for all people by providing solutions for diverse patient recruitment in clinical trials.

Recognized for his leadership by Pharmavoice, Informa Connect and Mogul, he has served on the diversity advisory boards of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO) and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). He is also on the advisory board of Wake Forest University’s Master’s Degree Program in Clinical Research Management and a Global Advisory Board Member of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA).

Jag Dosanjh is President, U.S. Neuroscience and Eye Care at AbbVie. In this role, he is responsible for leading the commercial business representing a strong portfolio of major brands across many different disease areas.

Jag joined AbbVie in 2011 and served in a variety of roles with increasing responsibility, including within aesthetics, market access, and global strategic marketing, and most recently served as Senior Vice President, Medical Therapeutics, overseeing BOTOX therapeutic and eye care. 

Prior to this, Jag worked at GlaxoSmithKline for over 15 years in several executive positions in both Europe and United States with key areas of focus being vaccine biologicals and respiratory medicine. 

Jag holds a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK.

Peter Anastasiou serves as Capsida’s Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors. He has over 30 years of experience managing multifunctional and diverse organizations, leading them to achieve ambitious shared goals.  During his tenure as Capsida’s CEO, he led the expansion of the company’s partnership with AbbVie into a new therapeutic area creating a new partnership with Eli Lilly & Co. 

Before Capsida, Mr. Anastasiou served as an Executive VP, member of the global executive committee, and President of Lundbeck’s U.S. and Canadian operations. Prior to Lundbeck, he held management roles at Neuronetics, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, and Eli Lilly & Company.  

 
Mr. Anastasiou currently serves on the global advisory board for the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association and was named the 2019 HBA Honorable Mentor.  He holds an M.B.A. from Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and a B.A. in economics and management from Albion College (MI).