BioPharmaPM Board of Directors and 2026 Annual Conference Planning Committee are delighted to announce the BioPharmaPM 2026 Annual Conference from Tuesday, May 19 to Thursday May 21, 2026, at San Diego Marriott La Jolla, San Diego, CA. This event promises to deliver inspiring presentations from distinguished speakers, as well as foster connections between project, program, and portfolio managers in the life sciences sector.
This year our theme is, Catalysts for Innovation – The PM Changemaker
We are planning a stimulating conference featuring influential keynote speakers, information-rich presentations and a half-day complimentary workshop on Tuesday, May 19 for all registered attendees. Throughout the event, there will be focused time for networking with other attendees and opportunities to meet senior leaders. In addition, the conference is an excellent opportunity to earn your PMI PDUs!
We hope you will join us in person to be a part of the only non-profit organization solely committed to project and portfolio management best practices, fostering leadership, and career development.
We are offering a 10% discount on the conference registration for groups of 3 or more. For group discount details and refunds, please reach out to us at info@biopharmapm.org.
2026 Annual BPPM – Pre-Conference Workshop – May 19, 2026 @ 1 PM
Dear BioPharmaPM members,
We are excited to announce our complimentary pre-conference workshop for the 2026 BioPharmaPM Conference attendees.
Susan Whitehead is a biotech executive and founder of BioSavvy Advisors with over 25 years of experience advancing therapies from discovery through late-stage development. She began her career in the lab before moving into project & program management at Johnson & Johnson and went on to hold PPM leadership roles at BiPar Sciences (acquired by Sanofi), Bavarian Nordic, and Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, supporting oncology programs through major development milestones.
Susan served as Global Head of Operations at Caligor Rx and earned General Manager after developing the growth strategy for the company’s global expanded-access programs business unit, where she held full P&L responsibility. She then joined PACT Pharma, where she led program operations for a first-in-class personalized cell therapy described in Nature and STAT as one of the most complex therapies ever attempted in humans, rising to President and Chief Operating Officer and serving on the Board of Directors. Through BioSavvy Advisors, Susan works alongside biotech leadership teams on complex development programs and key strategic initiatives.
This workshop is designed as an interactive working session for PMs who are looking to elevate their impact. Drawing on real-world operating experience across high-stakes development environments, the session focuses on how PMs act as changemakers during moments when clarity is incomplete and decisions carry weight. Rather than introducing new tools or processes, the workshop centers on leadership behaviors, decision dynamics, and communication patterns that help PMs strengthen credibility and influence. Participants will leave with practical language shifts and a structured approach they can apply immediately within their own programs.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize when execution management alone is insufficient and broader alignment is needed
- Strengthen their ability to lead and influence conversations when answers are incomplete
- Navigate cross-functional dynamics with greater confidence and clarity
- Understand how PMs act as catalysts for progress during critical moments
- Apply leadership insights directly to their own programs and roles
Registration is now open for our 2026 conference. Click Here to register.
Kind regards,
Grace Nakayama & Greg Cohee (2026 BPPM Conference Chairs)
With the support of BioPharmaPM Board of Directors
Keynote Speaker Announcement
Dear BioPharmaPM Members,
We are excited to announce our second keynote speaker for the 2026 BioPharmaPM Conference.
Carlo Odicino is the CEO and Founder of One TEAM Partners, a life sciences advisory firm that helps early-stage and scaling companies bring breakthrough innovations to market while building resilient, high-performing teams. With more than 25 years of experience scaling organizations in regulated environments, he advises executive and program leadership on governance design, portfolio prioritization, risk management, and cross-functional alignment.
Carlo specializes in strengthening decision velocity, clarifying scope, and building operating models that enable predictable execution without team burnout. He has advised companies on prioritization, governance, and capital efficiency, focusing on the behavioral and structural dynamics that determine whether programs accelerate or stall. A frequent speaker on leadership and execution excellence, Carlo holds both a BS and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, along with a certificate in Executive Integral Leadership.
Come join us to hear Carlo Odicino share his insights on “The PM as an operating system: Designing yourself for influence without authority”.
Registration is now open for our 2026 conference. Click Here to register.
Kind regards,
Grace Nakayama & Greg Cohee (2026 BPPM Conference Chairs)
With the support of BioPharmaPM Board of Directors
Keynote Speaker Announcement
Dear BioPharmaPM Members,
We are excited to announce our first keynote speaker for the 2026 BioPharmaPM Conference.
Lee R. Lambert is one of the most influential voices in modern project management, a global pioneer whose five decades of leadership have shaped the profession as we know it. A Founder of the PMP certification in 1984 and one of only 90 PMI Fellows worldwide, he is consistently ranked among the top project managers in the world.
His signature blend of real‑world insight and engaging humor has inspired thousands across industries, from AT&T and IBM to GE, Microsoft, and Roche. Lambert has led enterprise-wide PM system implementations, built high‑performance teams, and delivered public programs to more than 50,000 professionals. In recent years, he has taken his message worldwide, serving as a project management evangelist across 51 countries. Holding a master’s in project management from George Washington University, he continues to elevate how organizations build PMOs, develop leaders, and execute with excellence.
Come join us to hear Lee R Lambert and learn about “The Future of Project Management Through the Eyes of the Past”
Registration is now open for our 2026 conference. Click Here to register.
Kind regards,
Grace Nakayama & Greg Cohee (2026 BPPM Conference Chairs)
With the support of BioPharmaPM Board of Directors
