Leslie J Williams is an accomplished Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Board Director with over 25 years of experience in building and leading high-growth life science companies including: HC Bioscience, ImmusantT, Ventaira Pharmaceuticals and INO Therapeutics.  HC Bioscience was formed based on technology spun out of Christopher Ahern’s lab in the department of molecular physiology and biophysics at the University of Iowa. Leslie has demonstrated track record of founding and scaling innovative biotech ventures and innovative science such as: tRNA-based protein editing therapeutics (rare disease and oncology), novel immunotherapies (autoimmune) and a novel treatment for neonatal pulmonary hypertension based on nitric oxide, a discovery that resulted in the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine.  Williams has experience as a Venture Partner in a Venture Capital fund and fundraising experience as a CEO and has raised over $300M in Venture Capital and non-dilutive capital with Philanthropy and strategic Partnerships and collaborations.  She has led organizations from discovery to clinical development and exit.  Williams has expertise in a broad array of therapeutic areas including autoimmune disease, rare disease, genetic disease, oncology, respiratory and critical care and deep experience in strategy, operations, fundraising, corporate development and clinical and regulatory planning.  She has served on multiple private, public and non-profit Boards including BIO, MassBio, Ocular Therapeutix (Nasdaq: OCUL), Make-A-Wish Massachusetts & Rhode Island, CSCRI, and on the Advisory Board of Life Science Cares, along with experience as an Operating Partner at Accelerator Life Science Partners, an EIR at the University of Virginia and University of Iowa  and a Mentor at the Termeer Foundation and a Founding Ambassador of BioBoost.   Leslie was trained as a critical-care nurse, bringing a unique patient-centered perspective to her executive roles. She holds an MBA from Washington University’s Olin School of Business where she initiated, built and sold her first technology to Hewlett Packard. Williams graduated cum laude with a B.S.N. degree and multiple scholastic and leadership honors from the University of Iowa including membership to Omicron Delta Kappa and Sigma Theta Tau. She was given the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Iowa in 2015. Williams served on the College of Pharmacy Board at the University of Iowa and was presented an Honorary Alumni Award from the College in 2019. Before entering industry, she was a critical-care nurse at Duke University, Medical College of Virginia and at the University of Iowa.