As Global Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS (JLABS), Melinda Richter fosters the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies external R&D engine and supports the innovation community by creating capital-efficient commercialization models that give early stage companies a big company advantage.
By providing infrastructure, services, educational programs and networks in global hotspots, JLABS is the best place to start a company working in healthcare, with a specific emphasis on Johnson & Johnson’s sectors: consumer, medical device and pharmaceuticals.
Humans have been telling and sharing stories for millennia, yet ask a scientist to explain what they do and often the answer is incomprehensible. Consequently, not only does the public know less and less about exciting research projects, but investors, media and patients are also often in the dark. This inability to describe what they do often hinders healthcare startups from raising funds, attracting media attention and connecting with future customers.
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But it doesn’t have to be so difficult. All stories follow certain structures, and discovering these structures can help orient executives, scientists and researchers toward shaping their story in a compelling way. In addition, knowing how to properly place your story in context and how to relate it to different audiences will ensure you and your story – whether in the form of an investor presentation, networking talk or recruiting pitch – will be remembered.
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On January 30th, join us for a presentation on the secret science of storytelling, followed by an engaging panel discussion using examples from journalism, big data analytics, the power of social media, and the real world, will share the lessons they've learned in their careers as a storytellers.Â
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Following the panel there will be an opportunity for guests to practice their pitches and receive real time feedback from the panelists. If you are interested in doing your pitch during the event please email Amanda Raponi Hart at araponi1@its.jnj.com.
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Ryan Flinn is Innovation Integration Communication Leader for the Americas at Johnson & Johnson Innovation. In this role, he taps his former journalistic experience to drive communications strategy and execution for Johnson & Johnson Innovation across the Americas.
Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson Innovation in June 2016, he was a director of earned media for W2O Group in San Francisco, a communications agency, where he helped healthcare clients with a range of needs, including clinical trial news, crisis communications, regulatory interactions and initial public offerings.
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Before that, Ryan worked at Bloomberg News, where he served as the West Coast biotech reporter, covering drug development, clinical trials, FDA approvals, health care policy, emerging treatment trends, medical conferences and corporate financial developments.
Ryan holds a BA in Classics from the College of the Holy Cross.
Kara is the Director, Content Marketing and Communications at MaRS. She helps get the MaRS word out in every (grammatically correct) way possible, ensuring that all public-facing content is on-brand and consistent in terms of style, quality and tone of voice. In her role, she oversees the development of a range of branded content pieces, from magazines and reports to newsletters and video series, helping to promote MaRS thought leaders, ventures, events, programs and services to target audiences through all channels, both digital and print.
Kevin is the Senior Vice President of Creative and Medical Science at INVIVO Communications, an interactive medical agency specializing in custom solutions for the healthcare industry. Kevin's blend of creative and scientific leadership is a natural extension of his Master’s degree in Biomedical Communications and his position on the Board of Governors of the Association of Medical Illustrators. In over 19 years at INVIVO, Kevin has overseen the creative development of hundreds of medical animations, patient videos, medical games and mobile applications that help our clients articulate their messages. Kevin's experience with projects from pitch to completion is invaluable in aligning INVIVO’s services to meet their clients' business needs.Â
