Jennifer Hawks Bland is the Chief Executive Officer of NewYorkBIO, the leading advocate for New York State’s life science community. She has led the organization’s growth alongside the rapid expansion of the state’s life sciences ecosystem, strengthening its influence at the state, national, and global levels.

Jennifer proudly serves as Vice Chair of the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA), and has contributed to New York’s innovation and public health efforts through service on Governor Hochul’s Emerging Technology Advisory Board on Biotechnology and the New York City Pandemic Response Institute.

Jennifer brings more than a decade of experience in pharmaceutical policy and government affairs. Prior to joining NewYorkBIO, she spent nearly ten years at Merck spearheading Government Affairs & Policy. She previously held roles at GlaxoSmithKline and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), and began her career in law and public service as an associate at Butler Snow LLP, and in the office of U.S. Senator Thad Cochran. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Mississippi State University and her J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law, and is a member of the District of Columbia and Mississippi Bar Associations.

Originally from Mississippi, Jennifer lives in Pelham, New York with her husband and their two sons.