John Conrad, President and CEO, Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO), the association representing the nearly 94,000 life sciences jobs in Illinois As President and CEO of iBIO, John’s mission is to promote, connect and engage the members of the Illinois Life Sciences community to drive discovery, transform lives through groundbreaking research and grow the Illinois economy. John started at iBIO shortly after its formation in December of 2001, and has helped build the organization into one of the top state BIO associations. Under John’s leadership in 2020 iBIO was recognized as “One of the 100 Organizations that will Save the World” by ASAE. He has been a constant champion for the community helping to host 3 BIO International Conventions in Chicago, developed and released the first economic study on the life sciences industry in Illinois, served on Governor Pritzker’s Transition Committee, City of Chicago’s economic plan committee, served as co-chair of Governor Pritzker’s COVID Taskforce, launched the COVID PPE Response Fund for Illinois and was part of the founding committee for MATTER Chicago, an is vice-chair of the Council of State Biosciences Associations. John is passionate about ensuring innovative companies have the best environment possible to research, develop, and commercialize breakthrough therapies, products and cures for people around the world. John has an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, and an B.A. from Indiana University.