Executive Leadership Team

Prior to joining DIA in 2023, Fathallah was the Operating Officer and EVP at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, accountable for Operations, Post Market Product Science and Engineering, Regulatory, Quality, Medical, Clinical, Scientific Affairs, and Process Excellence. Before joining Ortho, he held Executive and Senior Leadership roles in Research and Development, Operations, and Regulatory Medical and Clinical Affairs at Avantor, Danaher, Pfizer, Hospira, and Abbott Laboratories. Fathallah holds a Master’s and Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Jack has over 25 years’ experience in the Life Sciences industry. He began his career with Wyeth International where he supported the growth of Wyeth’s developing markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Following Wyeth, Jack held a senior finance role with Auxilium Pharmaceuticals until its acquisition by Endo Pharmaceuticals in 2015. Jack then joined InClinica, Inc., a boutique CRO, in 2016 and was CFO until its liquidation in 2020. Jack has recently consulted for multiple development-phase companies in the Biotech & Instrument spaces. Mr. Foster holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Temple University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Villanova University.

Timothy Hess serves as Global Head of Business & Digital Technology, responsible for DIA’s global IT operations, computer infrastructure, customer and membership management databases, and website. He previously served as Director of Business Technology for Thomas Publishing Company LLC, where he managed all internal business systems, production systems, and technology projects; and as Vice President &Chief Technology Officer for Content Data Solutions, Inc., and as R&D Director for Reed Technology & Information Services. A proven technology thought leader with extensive experience in delivering high-performance systems that solve complex business problems in all development environments.

Katie serves as Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Learning & Digital Solutions, and is responsible for global development and implementation of DIA’s Learning and digital product strategy, including membership, DIA NOW and other digital solutions. Katie joined DIA in 2003 and has served in successively broader roles in training, volunteer services and program development, and managed DIA’s extensive portfolio of instructor-led and online courses. Prior to DIA, Katie served as Legislative Aide to Texas Senator Steve Ogden, as an assistant in the US FDA Office of Policy, and as a high school history teacher. Katie earned her BA in History and Masters’ Degree in Secondary Education from Trinity University.

Ania Mitan serves as the Senior Vice President & Managing Director, EMEA and India. She is former Executive Director of the commercial organization at Celgene, where she built the oncology business in the EMEA region with healthcare partners to shape quality delivery systems and new commercialization models in personalized medicine, specifically with novel cell and gene therapies. She began her career at Eli Lilly and Company, serving as Head of Commercial Development for EU mid-size countries, Head of Primary Care Business Unit for the UK and Ireland, and Head of Marketing for the Critical Care Unit. Ania earned her MBA from Simmons College and MSc in Pharmacy from Silesian Medical Academy (Poland).

A licensed pharmacist, Shogo spent more than 30 years in drug development in the pharmaceutical/CRO industry, especially in the oncology/immunology therapeutic area. Experienced in developing new drugs in Japan and globally, with excellent international sense and communication skills through his work for EU-based pharmaceutical companies and a US-based global leading CRO. From 2014-2018, he was a Member of the Special Advisory Committee, sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports (MECS). A graduate of Kyoto Pharmaceutical University with a Master’s degree in Pharmacy and an MBA from the University of Leicester.

Carie serves as Global Head of Growth for DIA. She comes to DIA with over 20 years in the Medical Device industry. She has spent much of her career with Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies in various commercial leadership roles, including responsibility for the Global IV Drug and CMO Pharmaceutical Solutions business. Most recently Carie was Head of Donor Screening at QuidelOrtho, focused on in vitro diagnostic testing. Ms. Pierce holds a Master of Science, Physical Therapy degree from Regis University and is a Colorado native.

Katie Truong serves as the Global Head of Business Operations. In this role, she drives transformation, constantly seeking new ways to optimize operations, enhance business performance, and further DIA’s mission. She is focused on building high-performing and engaged teams, motivating individuals to achieve exceptional results through continuous improvement and innovation. Katie brings experience from myriad industries including government, design, and professional services. Katie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with High Distinction from the University of Virginia and her Master of Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business, specializing in strategy, leadership, and change management.

Dr. Vassileva has decades of experience with managing complex multi-stakeholder biomedical research programs. She spent most of her career in the nonprofit sector, leading the Science Team at the Arthritis Foundation, and working at the Foundation for NIH and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She was also on the leadership teams of two health research organizations, serving as project director on multiple government contracts. Her areas of expertise include musculoskeletal, metabolic, immunity and inflammation disorders, as well as patient engagement. She received her PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from Johns Hopkins.

Tong-Yan brings 20+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry with a track record of business leadership and development, engagement with stakeholders across industry and government, and volunteer leadership experience in non-profit associations. She joins DIA after spending 4 years as the CEO of Sanpower Group to build up its healthcare business. Before Sanpower, she worked in Xi’an Janssen in various roles under General Med, Specialty Rx, and Market Access & Government Affairs. Tong-Yan started her career as a professor at Xian Medical University after receiving her Bachelor of Medical Science degree. She earned her MBA from Xian Jiao Tong University and her PhD in Management from ISCTE in Lisbon, Portugal.