Cesare is co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Oncoheroes Biosciences Inc., a Boston-based biotech company focused on pediatric oncology drug development. Cesare has more than 20 years of experience in the drug development field, in both scientific and commercial roles. Previously, he held senior positions at AMRI, Aptuit Laurus, ThalesNano and Auxiliis. Cesare started his career as research scientist in a pharmaceutical company (Eisai, London) and in academia (Institute of Enzymology, Budapest).
Following the death of his first daughter Laura to cancer, Cesare set up aPODD Foundation, a London-based charity focused on accelerating paediatric oncology drug development. As aPODD’s chairman he is actively involved on a pro-bono basis in drug repurposing projects, advocacy efforts and research collaborations.
Cesare holds an MSc in Applied Molecular Biology and a PhD in Neurosciences from UCL, University of London, as well as an MBA from the Central European University, Budapest.
For the past 27 years, Darren has developed a well-rounded knowledge and experience with all level of Governments, Industry and First Nations. Starting with working with the Alberta Government from 1998 to 2010, Darren had focused his career in land management, wildfire management, Consultation and Indigenous Litigation. Darren then worked for Cenovus Energy in Stakeholder Relations in 2010, developing an understanding of the oil and gas industry until he was seconded and then hired by his First Nation, Cold Lake First Nations, in 2014. Darren worked in multiple roles at his First Nation, including Executive Advisor to the Chief and Council, Chief Administrative Officer, Consultation Director, and the Lands and Resources Director. In October 2022, Darren started managing both his First Nation’s 100% owned environmental businesses, Nu Nenne Environmental LP and co-managing a newly developed partnership company, Nu Nenne Advisian Environmental LP with Worley Consulting.
With 25 years of experience, Elena has supported 100+ resource and energy projects through her expertise in delivering environmental and social services.
Elena is recognized as an influential figure in the sustainability sector, serving on multiple government and industry leading practice steering committees. Her significant contributions to the field were acknowledged in 2021 when she was voted among the top ten women worldwide working in sustainability by the Transition Economy (TE100).
Elena is a seasoned sustainability leader, who is driven by a passion for creating meaningful impact and positive change. She actively collaborates with industry, government, civil society groups, and affected communities to promote responsible energy and resource development. Her areas of expertise include community engagement, Indigenous participation, environmental and social impact management, as well as environmental approvals.
Dr. Lauria is an environmental consultant with 30 years’ post graduate experience – 25 of those years have been working around the world with Worley. Dr. Lauria provides strategic advice to clients across the globe in support of their sustainability planning, enablement of development, community planning and regulatory advocacy. Dr. Lauria has built and led teams across the globe to collaborate and deliver successful environmental outcomes for industrial developments.
Dr. Lauria has extensive experience in structuring and managing large environmental and social teams for industrial sectors in offshore, onshore, and remote locations. Currently Dr. Lauria heads up Worley Consulting’s global environment and sustainability business.
Dr. Lauria has a degree in Marine Biology with Business from the University of London, and her Ph.D was focused on biophysical interactions in estuarine systems at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton UK. She is passionate about the changing definition of success, the importance of diversity of thought and advocates for industrial projects to be developed with a positive impact to community, biodiversity and water.
Rebecca is an organized and results-driven Global Clinical Development Operations Project and Team Leader with extensive experience in managing complex clinical trial projects, programs, and portfolios across all phases, from early-stage to late-stage development. Her expertise in clinical trial budget management, Agile project management, and cross-functional leadership, enables successful execution of clinical programs with a focus on operational excellence, quality, and regulatory compliance.
She has proven success in:
• Leading global clinical trial operations and developing operational strategies to support clinical program objectives.
• Oversight of CROs, vendors, and clinical sites, ensuring compliance with ICH/GCP, local regulations, and organizational SOPs
• Developing and delivering operational strategies, ensuring budget, timelines, and resource management for large-scale clinical trials
• Driving innovation and adopting AI to optimize clinical operations and accelerate drug development.
• Providing mentorship and fostering team development, creating high-performing teams aligned with corporate strategy.
Shaily Arora, PharmD, is an Executive Regulatory Science Director, Oncology at AstraZeneca, where she orchestrates the regulatory strategy concerning tumor drivers and resistance-related clinical research endeavors. She established and co-leads the AstraZeneca Dose Optimization Working Group to support the dose optimization paradigm across the oncology portfolio. Additionally, she serves as the regulatory lead for several patient-centric initiatives, underscoring her commitment to advancing healthcare outcomes.
Prior to her current role, Dr. Arora served as an Associate Director in the Office of Oncologic Diseases at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where she spearheaded initiatives and projects spanning from pre-IND stages through post-marketing phases. Before assuming this role, Dr. Arora served as a clinical reviewer within the Breast and Gynecologic Malignancies Team at the FDA. Notably, she was instrumental in shaping FDA’s Project Orbis and was a founding member of the Project Optimus initiative. She provided strategic input in the development of various FDA guidances, policy initiatives, and authored impactful publications.
A frequent public speaker at national and international forums, Dr. Arora adeptly represents her organization at external forums, scientific societies, and global conferences. She is the recipient of distinguished accolades, including the 40 under 40 Award from California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) and the Alumni Early-Career Award from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), that underscores her dedication, excellence, and multifaceted contributions to the professional, philanthropic, and personal spheres.
