Anyone who is any good has passion for what they do. What sets us apart is our passion for what you do. There isn’t anything more compelling for us than helping healthcare companies develop the therapies of tomorrow by connecting them with visionary leaders today.
CONSULTANTS
John Archer | Partner
John Archer founded Catalyst Advisors in 2008, bringing with him more than 25 years of experience as a leading healthcare recruitment consultant to companies from venture-backed start-ups to global leaders. He focuses on the recruitment of chief executive officers, board members and other C-suite executives for innovative biopharmaceutical and medical technologies companies. Prior to the formation of Catalyst Advisors, John was a senior member of a leading global executive recruitment and assessment firm, where he served as a global sector leader and a member of the firm’s executive and operating committees. Earlier in his career, John worked as a senior executive at a publicly traded biotechnology company and later with a private investment firm evaluating healthcare opportunities. John received his B.S. from the University of Colorado at Boulder and his M.B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
jarcher@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 212.775.0800 Ext. 101 • M: +1 917.340.7703
Amy Bottoms | Principal
Amy Bottoms is a Principal based in Seattle. She brings 25 years of experience building board of directors and executive leadership teams for innovative life sciences companies. Prior to joining Catalyst Advisors, she was an Engagement Manager at a leading global executive recruitment firm, where she specialized in recruiting board directors, general management executives and senior commercial and technical leaders across the biopharma, healthcare IT, medical technology and healthcare services sectors. Amy began her career at Microsoft as a Corporate Researcher before entering the executive recruitment industry in 1996 as a Research Associate. Amy received a B.A. in English Literature and a Master of Library Science from the University of Washington.
abottoms@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 310.907.1500 Ext. 119 • M: +1 360.710.1491
Arnaldo De Lisio | Partner
Arnaldo De Lisio is based in the firm’s London office. Prior to joining Catalyst Advisors, Arnaldo was a managing partner of a global life sciences recruiting firm headquartered in the United Kingdom, where he conducted board, CEO and other C-level recruitment engagements for clients in Europe and North America. As a managing partner, he was part of the executive team that developed the firm’s strategy and led its growth. Arnaldo has deep experience working with clients in highly innovative areas of medicine, including immuno-oncology, oncology and rare diseases. Earlier, Arnaldo was a start-up entrepreneur in Italy and a management consultant at Simon-Kucher & Partners in Germany, where he advised biopharma and pharmaceutical companies on pricing and reimbursement strategies. He holds a Global Executive M.B.A. from the Hult International Business School and Bachelor and Master degrees in Business Administration from the University of Molise in Italy. Arnaldo is fluent in English, Italian and German.
adelisio@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +44 203 700 7542 • M: +44 739 396 9330
Borjana Fermaud | Director
Borjana Fermaud has more than 10 years of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Throughout her career, she has worked primarily with C-level executives, connecting talent with opportunities to maximize the potential of both executives and organizations. Before joining Catalyst Advisors, Borjana was the Vice President of Relationship Management for GLG Institute, where she built up and curated an ecosystem of industry luminaries and subject matter experts who readily shared their knowledge to create a world-leading platform for learning and mentorship. Earlier, Borjana excelled in progressive positions with Bayer, culminating as Chief of Staff to the Global CEO of Bayer Medical Care. She has lived and worked in the U.S., Russia, Germany and Switzerland. Borjana holds an M.Sc. in Management from ESCP-EAP European School of Management. She speaks English, German, Russian, and French.
bfermaud@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 212.775.0800 Ext. 129 • M: +1 914.924.5997
Gilbert Forest | Partner
Gilbert Forest established Catalyst Advisors’ Cambridge, Massachusetts office in 2018. Gilbert brings more than 20 years of experience in life sciences executive talent solutions. In 1999, Gilbert co-founded the Boston office for a leading global executive recruitment firm, and established that firm’s credibility and expertise in therapeutics executive leadership. He initially built his reputation for excellence in recruiting strategies across research and development for both biotech and pharmaceutical innovators. Gilbert has since orchestrated countless C-suite and board leadership strategies across all functions for leading innovative companies from the global pharmaceutical companies to the newest disruptive biotech start-ups. Before Gilbert’s experience in the executive talent space, he was an attorney at General Motors Corporation (GM) and in private practice for a leading Montreal firm. Fluent in French and English, Gilbert has been known to dabble in Mandarin and testing twisties and sweepers on any one of his motorcycles. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Laval University in Quebec City and his M.B.A. from the University of Toronto.
geforest@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 617.843.4100 • M: +1 617.513.6915
Jessica Hopkins | Research Associate
Jessica Hopkins is a dedicated researcher with a passion for public health and life sciences. She brings deep knowledge of the life sciences and academic research settings, having worked in respected academic institutions including Yale and Columbia, as well as her alma mater, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has volunteered for the Minority Health Conference, Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Moldova Project, a collaboration with EWB and U.S. Naval Corp of Engineers in Gagauzia, Moldova. Jessica holds a B.A. in English and Psychology from Villanova University and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Health Behavior and Health Education from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
jhopkins@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 212.775.0800 Ext. 100
Nancy Kelly | Director
Nancy Kelly brings more than 25 years of experience in retained executive recruitment to Catalyst Advisors. She is known for her extensive knowledge, passion and success in identifying current and future leaders in the life sciences industry. She has been responsible for leading and managing C-level and other strategic recruiting assignments for a wide array of clients, including small to mid-size biotech, as well as large global pharmaceutical companies. Nancy has been a dedicated member of the life sciences practices of two global executive recruitment firms. Throughout the course of her career, Nancy has recruited senior leadership positions across Research and Development, Technical Operations, Commercial and General Management functions. She has also partnered with clients on Board of Director and Talent Mapping assignments. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Health Administration and an M.B.A. from La Salle University.
nkelly@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 212.775.0800 Ext. 128 • M: +1 215.370.5600
Rose McGovern, Ph.D. | Associate Director
Rose, based in the London office, has focused the majority of her career within life science executive recruitment. She has worked with a range of clients and candidates spanning scientific and commercial roles. Prior to joining Catalyst Advisors, Rose worked for a leading European boutique life science focused executive recruitment firm. Rose has also spent time working in the not-for-profit sector, as an Operations Manager, for Charities based in Greece and France. Rose holds a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Ulster and BSc in Sports Health and Exercise Science from the University of Hull.
rmcgovern@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +44 203 700 7542
Susan J. Newman | Director, Research and Client Management
Susan Newman has nearly two decades of experience helping executive recruitment firms, corporate human resource departments, academic institutions and non-profit organizations research and identify life sciences senior executives for medical, scientific and C-level leadership roles. At Catalyst Advisors, Susan oversees the staffing, workflow and quality of the firm’s research team, and provides research support directly to recruiters and clients as a member of engagement teams. Before joining Catalyst Advisors, Susan started and led the life sciences practice of a national recruiting firm and held a number of positions in technical product development and commercial operations in the medical device and diagnostics industry.
Susan serves as a member of the board of directors of The Paps Corps Champions for Cancer Research and was President of a South Florida non-profit organization supporting music education in local schools. She holds a B.A in Biology from Simmons College in Boston.
snewman@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 212.775.0800 Ext. 108 • M: +1 954.234.7924
Brett A. Phillips | Director
Brett has more than 18 years of experience in life sciences executive recruitment. Before joining Catalyst Advisors, Brett was a Vice President at a life sciences recruitment firm, where he led the firm’s management-level engagements and participated in the recruitment of board members and board chairs. Earlier, he spent a dozen years at another life sciences recruitment firm, ultimately serving as Vice President and Head of Recruiting, managing a team of several recruiters and expanding the firm’s client base. Brett holds a B.A. in Journalism and a B.A. in Political Science, both from Northeastern University. He is actively involved in global health organizations focusing on the needs of at-risk mothers and children in US and Africa.
bphillips@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 310.907.1500 Ext. 118 • M: +1 310.902.1411
Cara Smith | Associate Director
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Cara Smith is an Associate Director at Catalyst Advisors. She has more than six years of talent recruitment experience in healthcare and life sciences.
Prior to joining Catalyst Advisors, Cara was a Senior Associate at an international executive recruitment firm, where she specialized in C-suite, general management, commercial and scientific talent solutions in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, with a specific focus on medical technology and biopharma. Previously, Cara worked at a boutique executive recruitment firm, serving healthcare services and healthcare technology industries for prominent private equity and venture capital sponsors. Cara earned a B.S. in Biology from Northeastern University.
csmith@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: 310.907.1500 Ext.131 • M: +1 401.595.0857
Stephen J. Williams, Ph.D. | Partner
Steve Williams is based in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Prior to joining Catalyst Advisors, Steve served as the President and Chief Business Officer of a global life sciences recruiting firm. Before his recruiting career, Steve held a range of roles at both pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including leading pre-clinical development of Cardiolite® and Neurolite® at DuPont and DuPont Merck Pharmaceuticals. He also held leadership positions in line marketing, strategic product planning and business development. He was a medical director in new product planning at Bristol-Myers Squibb and served as a key member of the management team that executed a successful IPO at Progenitor, a biotechnology company. Steve received his B.S. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Duke University.
swilliams@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 310.907.1500 Ext.109 • M: +1 424.653.9153
MANAGEMENT
Alyson Archer | Partner and Chief Operating Officer
Alyson Archer has 20 years of experience leading marketing, communications and investor relations functions for global banks and professional services firms. Based in Catalyst Advisors’ New York office, Alyson oversees all aspects of the firm’s infrastructure, development and marketing. Prior to joining Catalyst Advisors at its inception, Alyson was the Director of Global Communications at a major executive recruitment firm, where she led all aspects of internal and external communications across the firm’s 40-plus offices. Before that role, she was Director of Public Relations at Softbank International Ventures, developing and executing communications strategies for all of Softbank’s portfolio companies outside of Japan. Prior to joining Softbank, Alyson was in the marketing department at Bear Stearns, helping position the firm’s clients for initial public offerings and mergers. Alyson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and English Literature from Binghamton University.
aarcher@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 212.775.0800 Ext. 107
Snow Montemayor | Director of Finance and Operations
Based in New York, Snow Montemayor manages the firm’s finance, operations, human resources and technology. Prior to joining Catalyst Advisors, Snow was at a financial advisory firm, representing the firm and its clients at shareholder meetings of businesses in the sustainability sector. Before that, Snow managed commercial business development for a leading regional landscaping and lighting contractor. Snow holds a B.A. in International Relations from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and an M.B.A. from Pinchot University in Seattle.
smontemayor@catalystadvisorslp.com • O: +1 212.775.0800 Ext. 116