HBA Southwest Regional Conference: A Celebration of Leadership, Mentorship, and Growth through Collaboration
The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Southwest Regional Conference at Texas Medical Center Helix Park in Houston, TX was a tremendous success. This dynamic half-day event brought together leaders from across the healthcare ecosystem to connect, empower, and elevate women in the life sciences industry through thought-provoking panels, interactive discussions, and meaningful networking.
Catalysts of Convergence — How Collaboration Drives Houston’s Life Sciences Growth
One of the event’s standout sessions was the panel discussion, Catalysts of Convergence; How Collaboration Drives Houston’s Life Sciences Growth. Moderated by Ashley Scott, Texas Oncology, this engaging conversation featured esteemed panelists:
- Emily Barnhill, VP Strategic Industry Ventures, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Verena Kallhoff, Ph.D., Sr. Director Global Life Sciences, Greater Houston Partnership
- Ann Johnson, Texas State Representative, District 134 (Texas Medical Center)
- Christopher Wild, Ph.D., Assistant Vice Chancellor/Vice President, San Jacinto College
Each panelist highlighted how cross-sector partnerships are accelerating innovation, investment, and workforce readiness. Houston’s collaborative culture, paired with its scale and institutional strength, is increasingly attracting global life sciences interest. From academic–industry partnerships to industry-aligned education and enabling public policy, the discussion illustrated how alignment across sectors is laying the foundation for sustainable growth. Together, the conversation reinforced that Houston’s true advantage lies not in any single institution, but in the relationships that connect them.
Women Driving the Future of Healthcare Innovation—Funding, Leadership & Breakthroughs
Another standout sessions was the panel discussion, Women Driving the Future of Healthcare Innovation; Funding, Leadership & Breakthroughs. Moderated by Alexine Tranquada, this engaging conversation featured esteemed panelists:
- Heather Antioquia, VP Program Development Xontogeny
- Ayse McCracken, Founder, Board Chair Ignite
- Supriya Sinha, TMC Entrepreneur in Residence
- Chantell Preston, CEO of Preston Partners
The panelists addressed barriers that lead to women founders underrepresented and underfunded—receiving less than 3% of venture capital and holding fewer than 10% of CEO seats in biotech. This panel featured female founders, biopharma leaders, venture capitalists, and corporate partners to share insights on building companies, navigating the funding landscape, and advancing equity in innovation.
Engaging Leadership Roundtable
A particularly dynamic segment of the conference was the Leadership Roundtable, where all the distinguished speakers engaged with attendees in small-group discussions. This format allowed participants to connect directly with industry leaders, ask personalized questions, and gain tailored insights into leadership, career development, and industry trends. The roundtable featured the following speakers:
- Karyn Junio, Executive Director, US Sales Alexion Rare Disease of AstraZeneca
- Stacia Pfost, M.D., Surgical Breast Oncology, Texas Oncology
- Shanda Blackmon, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Surgery - Thoracic; Director, The Lung Institute; Olga Keith Weiss Endowed Chair in Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine
- Kim Mineo, Sr. Regional Business Director Pfizer Oncology
- Brent Flaskamp, Sr. Executive District Business Manager, Johnson & Johnson
The interactive nature of this session made it an attendee favorite, reinforcing the conference’s reputation as a premier platform for professional growth.
Gracious Sponsors and a Strong Support System
This amazing half-day event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Deloitte. Special recognition goes to Kasey Gorman, Vice President Life Sciences at Deloitte, for her unwavering support of the HBA Southwest Region and Melinda Yee, Houston Managing Partner. Deloitte’s commitment to empowering leaders and fostering impactful discussions was instrumental in the success of this event, and we are grateful for their continued partnership.
Special thanks to Tom Luby, Chief Innovation Officer at the Texas Medical Center, for his leadership, vision, and continued commitment to advancing innovation across healthcare. We are also deeply grateful to the Texas Medical Center for hosting us at Helix Park, a truly inspiring environment that embodies the future of life sciences, collaboration, and transformative care. Helix Park’s mission-driven design and focus on innovation, research, and community made it the perfect setting for meaningful dialogue, connection, and forward-thinking leadership.
The HBA Southwest Regional Conference was a testament to the power of mentorship, leadership, and community. As we look ahead, we remain committed to fostering an environment where professionals can grow, connect, and lead with purpose. Thank you to all our speakers, attendees, volunteers, and sponsors for making this event truly unforgettable!
