Please join us for this in-person event featuring a fireside chat with MassBio's new leadership team. Joseph Boncore, the recently selected new CEO of MassBio, and Kendalle Burlin O'Connell, President of MassBio will share their vision for the future of MassBio, the state's largest life sciences industry association with NSTC President, Tracy Curley.
The program will be introduced by NSTC Board Member Angus McQuilken, Industry Relationship Executive for the Life Sciences at McDermott Will & Emery.
Doors open at 11:30 am. The presentation begins at 12:00 pm. A light lunch will be served. No cost to attend.
Thank you to our event sponsors!
Joseph Boncore: In the role of CEO, Joe manages MassBio’s federal affairs, state and municipal government relations, and takes the lead on initiatives to sustain Massachusetts’ economic competitiveness focusing on issues around infrastructure, workforce, and digital health.
Prior to joining MassBio in September 2021, Joe served as the State Senator for the First Suffolk and Middlesex districts, representing his hometown of Winthrop; the Boston communities of East Boston, North End, Chinatown, Beacon Hill, Bay Village, and South End; the Cambridge neighborhoods of Cambridgeport, Riverside and MIT; and the City of Revere. While in the State Senate, Joe was the Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, Chair of the Senate’s Committee on Personnel and Administration, Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, Vice Chair of Rules, and member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Senate Ethics Committee, Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, and the Committee on Financial Services.
Before being elected to the state legislature in 2016, Joe practiced law specializing in criminal law in his private practice and as a public defender with Suffolk Lawyers for Justice.
Since his early life, Boncore has been an active member in the Order Sons of Italy in America, he is currently the National Second Vice President. Boncore earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Providence College in 2004 and received his juris doctorate from the Massachusetts School of Law. Joe resides in Winthrop with his wife Christine and twin sons John and Philip.
Kendalle Burlin O'Connell: As President and COO, Kendalle leads the strategic direction, global expansion, and business operations of the organization ensuring that MassBio offers the greatest value to its members and that Massachusetts life sciences companies have the best environment possible to research, develop, and commercialize breakthrough therapies and cures for people around the world who need and deserve them.
Kendalle first came to MassBio in 2008 as Director of Purchasing and Strategic Alliance. She was promoted to Vice President of Member Services and General Counsel in 2012, then promoted to the organization’s first-ever Chief Operating Officer in February 2019. Throughout her tenure at MassBio, Kendalle has played a critical role in the growth of MassBio’s membership supporting its expansion to become the largest life sciences trade association in the world with over 1,400 members. Kendalle has overseen the rebrand of a number of MassBio’s core programs and services, including the MassBio Edge, MassBio’s savings and rewards program, and its expansion into other New England states by building valuable partnerships with the supplier community and creating MassBio’s highly-rated Employee Rewards program. She also led the development of the MassBioHub, MassBio’s conference and business center, and the creation of MassBio’s 2025 State of Possible Report. In 2019, Kendalle commenced a multi-year digital health initiative to support the convergence of digital tech and the life sciences in Massachusetts. And in 2021, Kendalle was instrumental in the launch of MassBio’s Partnering Week, a new initiative to bring together established biopharma companies with early-stage startups and academic institutions.
Kendalle has reached extraordinary heights in her growing career. She was named a 2019 Boston Business Journal 40 under 40 honoree which recognizes a leader’s impact on Massachusetts’ industries. Currently, Kendalle serves as a Board of Director for the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd) and the New England Chapter of the March of Dimes. She also serves as Co-Chair of the 2021 New England ResearcHERS program for the American Cancer Society.
Prior to joining MassBio, Kendalle practiced law in the areas of Estate and Medicaid Planning, Probate and Asset Protection. She graduated cum laude from Sacred Heart University with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science and received her Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. She resides in Haverhill, Massachusetts with her husband and two children.
Tracy Curley: Tracy has been serving as iSpecimen Inc.'s Chief Financial Officer since August 2020.
She was a partner at CohnReznick LLP, a national accounting firm, from September 2017 to June 2020. During her time at CohnReznick, LLP, Ms. Curley led the creation and development of an emerging markets commercial audit practice team for the firm in their Boston, MA office. Her practice focused on recruiting and providing audit services to private and public emerging growth companies in the technology and life sciences industries.
From November 2014 to August 2017, she also served as a partner at Marcum LLP, a national accounting firm. Ms. Curley led the northeast regional high-tech practice for the firm. She focused on expanding the client base to provide a full range of accounting, tax and advisory services for private and public emerging growth companies in high tech industries such as technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. From March 2010 to October 2014, Ms. Curley served as a partner at Moody, Famiglietti & Andronico, LLP (“MFA”), a proactive consulting firm in the greater Boston, MA area with national and global reach. During her time at MFA, Ms. Curley led the creation and development of a public company audit practice focused on recruiting and providing audit services to public emerging growth companies.
Tracy serves as President and a board member of the North Shore Technology Council and as a board member of Project Green Schools. Ms. Curley received her Master of Accountancy and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from Kansas State University. She also attended the United States Military Academy. She is a certified public accountant licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Angus McQuilken: A resident of Marblehead, Angus is a member of the NSTC Board of Directors and serves as co-chair of the NSTC Advocacy Committee.
McQuilken was part of the founding leadership team for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. Prior to that he served as Vice President for Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, and as Chief of Staff for State Senator Cheryl Jacques. Angus currently serves as Industry Relationship Executive for the Life Sciences at global law firm McDermott Will & Emery.
