DIA, founded as the Drug Information Association, is pleased to announce the selection of Kayla Valdes, PhD, by the Women In Bio (WIB) Board of Directors, as the organization’s new President-Elect. The selection of Valdes, an experienced strategist and analyst in global regulatory and health policy, demonstrates Women In Bio’s commitment to the professional development of women in the life sciences, highlights the key contributions of women entrepreneurs and executives in the bioscience arena, and underscores DIA’s ongoing commitment to this cause.

“WIB is truly an organization that supports women from the classroom to the boardroom, and I am dedicated to contributing to the continued growth of the organization and leading initiatives that foster both the personal and professional development of women in biotech from all backgrounds,” said Valdes. Valdes earned her PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland, and her BS in Biological Sciences from Cornell University, before pursuing a career at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and later, at DIA.

“Kayla possesses clear leadership capabilities across the broad landscape of what I would call the ‘strategy of life sciences,’” said Barbara Lopez Kunz, Global Chief Executive, DIA. “Her enthusiasm for innovative development is rooted in her desire to serve others, moving therapeutic study forward for better health outcomes worldwide. She exemplifies what DIA as an organization is about – inviting diverse, myriad viewpoints, creating a neutral playing field for ideas to grow, and advancing collaborative research possibilities of tomorrow. We’re so happy for her to take this important professional step, and thankful to Women In Bio for recognizing her commitment.”

Valdes, a member of the Capital Region Chapter of WIB since her days in graduate school, began her term as President-Elect on January 1, 2020.