BioNJ, the state’s largest life sciences trade association, recently elected its 2026 officers and board members at its 33rd Annual Dinner Meeting and Innovation Celebration at the Hilton East Brunswick that featured an opening address by Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
The newly elected officers are Chair Christopher Cozic, executive vice president and chief people officer, Genmab; Vice Chair Michael Schoen, senior vice president, head, government affairs and special assistant to the CEO, BeOne Medicines; Treasurer Christopher Mortko, vice president and head, HQ Search and Evaluation, Merck Corporate Licensing; and Secretary Susan L. Levinson, CEO, BioAegis Therapeutics.
Cozic succeeds Emer Leahy, president and CEO, PsychoGenics, who assumes the role of immediate past chair.
“We look forward to working with incoming Chair Chris Cozic to support our members during this pivotal time for the industry — one that demands unity, resilience and bold leadership to advance progress for patients,” said Debbie Hart, president and CEO of BioNJ.
“Mr. Cozic’s talent for inspiring others and building strong, mission‑driven teams will be invaluable as we work together to strengthen New Jersey’s life sciences ecosystem and advance our mission — to help our members help patients.”
Newly elected to the board are Mary Elizabeth Blake, chief corporate affairs officer, Amicus Therapeutics; Kevin Hamill, president, immunology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine; Christine Kingsbury, vice president and head, U.S. marketing, Ascendis Pharma; Allyson McMillan-Youngblood, senior vice president and head, Rare Disease Franchise, Acadia Pharmaceuticals; and Martin Whalen, senior vice president, global policy and government affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb.
The following board members were re-elected for another two-year term: Alexandra Gruener, senior vice president, US bladder cancer and oncology portfolio marketing lead, Pfizer; Matthew B. Klein, CEO, PTC Therapeutics; and Robert Zamboldi, site head, real estate and facility services, Novartis.
For 33 years, BioNJ has represented more than 400 research-based organizations across the health care ecosystem — from the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies to early-stage start-ups.
