As 2024 winds down, I want to say thank you to our IowaBio Directors and to all of our hard-working biotechnology members. I have enjoyed the privilege of being your executive director for nearly six years, and this year ranks as the most exciting yet!

This was our first year implementing our strategic plan that the Board of Directors put in place last year.  This framework has helped us work towards accomplishing many of our goals:

• Mary Lyon joined our staff, which was a top priority hire, and has taken on a new role elevating our association and our STEM efforts.
• Negotiations for our purchasing program are complete, and have already borne fruit for our members in savings and in overall support for the association.
• We had a strong legislative session, pushing forward priority biomarker legislation, and representing our members in a host of other issue areas. 
• The Board of Directors supported me in accepting Governor Reynolds’ invitation to join her India Trade Mission Delegation to Mumbai and New Delhi in September. This important trip will lay the foundation for additional growth between Iowa and India in the future, and showed our commitment to growing the Iowa biotech ecosystem and to the State of Iowa.
• We forged ahead with our partnership with the Ag Startup Engine (ASE), and introduced a new partnership to enhance our annual conference pitch competition, with a potential $25,000.00 investment in a pitching company in 2025. We look forward to investing in the ASE seed fund, and intentionally engaging with ASE companies next year.

As you can see, there is much to celebrate as we close 2024! Thank you again to our members for contributing your time and talents to IowaBio! This Association and this State’s biotech industry is stronger because of your involvement in and commitment to this organization. Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!