Leading Change

Robert Bernhard, PhD

Vice President for Research, University of Notre Dame

Robert Bernhard was appointed vice president for research at the University of Notre Dame in 2007. In this role, he addresses infrastructure and support of research – the work of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students alike – and the competition for funding dollars. He also is responsible for the university's programs and stewardship of its strategic research initiatives. In addition to his role as vice president for research, Bernhard is a professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering and is one of the nation’s leading experts in noise control engineering.

Bernhard is a frequent consultant to industry and government, holds two patents and is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is the president of the International Institute of Noise Control Engineering and is a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America. Bernhard serves on several industry and community-related boards including the Board of Directors of the Cummins Engine Co. and Conexus Indiana.

Bernhard is a graduate of Iowa State University and completed his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland. He returned to his alma mater, Iowa State University, to complete his PhD in Engineering Mechanics.

Wayne Burris

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Roche Diagnostics Corporation

Wayne Burris was named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 1996 and continues in this role for Roche Diagnostics Corporation. He is a member of the Global Roche Diagnostics Finance Operating Committee. With a strong background in domestic and international accounting and finance, as well as experience dealing with a broad set of business, finance and reporting issues, Burris provides advice for Roche’s various diagnostics businesses.

Burris was founding member of the Roche Diagnostics-North American STAR initiative that generated more than $100 million in purchasing savings and has since become a global initiative. He has served on the Diagnostics Investment Committee, charged with deciding how to allocate and approve more than $500 million in annual capital investments. Burris led a team chartered by Roche Group Corporate Finance to prepare an analysis of the value drivers for the diagnostics business and how these drivers can be better leveraged to gain market share and improve profitability. He has made several presentations at the global Diagnostics Finance Managers meeting including “The Role of the Finance Manager in Driving Business Value.” Prior to his current position, Burris was head of Global Finance for Diabetes Care Business Area and Vice President of Finance. Before joining Roche Diagnostics in 1986, Burris was a Senior Manager for Price Waterhouse LLP with a focus on clients in the financial service industry and global healthcare manufacturers in diagnostics, orthopedics and pharmaceuticals.

Burris currently serves on the board of directors of BioCrossroads.

Kenneth Custer, PhD

Vice President and Head of Corporate Business Development, Eli Lilly and Company

Ken Custer is vice president and head of corporate business development for Eli Lilly and Company, where he is responsible for M&A, licensing and partnerships to supplement Lilly's pipeline. Since joining Lilly in 2009 he has held roles of increasing responsibility across sales, marketing and R&D. This includes leading preclinical and clinical development for important programs in diabetes, immunology and COVID-19, as well as guiding Lilly's overall R&D strategy and transformation efforts. He is passionate about working at the intersection of science, technology and business, and enjoys recruiting and mentoring early-in-career professionals who wish to apply their scientific and medical training to broader careers in biopharma.

Custer earned his bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Reed College, and his doctoral degree in neuroscience from the University of Washington. He also holds a MBA in healthcare management from The Wharton School.

He and his wife, Sara, a faculty member at IUPUI, live in Zionsville. They have two children.

Daniel Evans, Jr.

Former Chief Executive Officer, Indiana University Health

Dan Evans is the former Chief Executive Officer of Indiana University Health, Indiana’s most comprehensive academic health center and one of the busiest hospital systems in the United States. Through its partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s largest medical schools and a global leader in medical education and research – IU Health is uniquely positioned to provide leading edge care and the most skilled clinical teams.

Since IU Health’s inception in 1997, Evans was active on its board of directors and served as its Chairman from 2000 – 2002. He previously served on and chaired the Methodist Hospital board of directors.

Prior to December 2002, Evans was a partner with Baker & Daniels, a law firm of more than 370 professionals with offices around the world.

Evans serves on numerous community, academic and healthcare-related boards and advisory committees, including Indiana Health Information Exchange, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, BioCrossroads, the University Health System Consortium, United Way of Central Indiana, the Indiana Hospital Association, the Indianapolis and Indiana Chambers of Commerce, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Evans is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the bars of Indiana, the 7th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme

Tatiana Foroud, PhD

Executive Associate Dean for Research Affairs, Indiana University School of Medicine

Tatiana Foroud, PhD, was recently named the executive associate dean for research affairs, Indiana University (IU) Health’s executive vice president of academic affairs for clinical research and the August M. Watanabe Professor for Medical Research, and remains as the Joe C. Christian Professor and chair of the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics. Dr. Foroud also is a Distinguished Professor and a Chancellor’s Professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Over the course of her more than 25 years with the IU School of Medicine, Dr. Foroud has been actively involved in the genetics of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, as well as studies of alcoholism and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. A statistical geneticist by training, she leads several large National Institutes of Health-funded biorepositories focused on the development of effective biomarkers of disease onset and progression.

Jay Hess, MD, PhD, MHSA

Executive Vice President for University Clinical Affairs, Indiana University

Dr. Jay Hess serves as Indiana University’s (IU) executive vice president for university clinical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine - the largest medical school in the US, with nine campuses, more than 2,000 students, and 6,500 full-time, part-time and volunteer faculty. As one of four executive vice presidents of Indiana University, Dr. Hess is charged with guiding the university’s clinical affairs strategy.

As a physician-scientist, Dr. Hess is driven to improve care for patients and is guided by a commitment to transforming health in Indiana and around the world. Since becoming dean, he has overseen a more than 70 percent increase in research funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Prior to moving to Indiana in 2013, Dr. Hess served for eight years as the Carl V. Weller Professor and chair of the department of pathology and professor of pathology and internal medicine at the University of Michigan. He previously served as director of hematopathology at the University of Pennsylvania and as assistant professor of pathology at Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Hess earned his medical and doctorate degrees from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed residency training in anatomic pathology and fellowships in hematopathology and surgical pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He holds a certificate in business administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Cris Johnston

Director, Indiana Office of Management and Budget

Cris Johnston assumed the role of director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget July 1, 2019, after joining the Holcomb Administration as deputy chief of staff May 2018. He previously served in Gov. Mitch Daniels’ Administration (2005 to 2013) as the executive director of the Office of Management and Budget’s division of government efficiency and later, as deputy chief of staff in the governor’s office.

In between these periods of service in state government, Johnston worked for two Indiana-based consulting firms. More recently he was a director for KSM Consulting, where he led the organizational improvement practice (2013 to 2018). Prior to serving in the Daniels Administration, Johnston worked in the municipal financial advisory practice at Crowe Horwath (1992 to 2005) rising to partner.

Johnston began his public service in the Indiana Treasurer of State’s Office (1988 to 1992), first as portfolio manager and eventually as chief deputy treasurer after starting his career as an internal auditor in the commercial banking industry. He has a bachelor's degree from Wabash College and a MBA from Butler University.  

John C. Lechleiter, PhD

Former Chief Executive Officer, Eli Lilly and Company

Dr. Lechleiter joined the Board on Director's in April 2018 after retiring as CEO of Eli Lilly and Company in 2016 and finishing his role as chairman of Lilly's Board of Directors in May 2017. It was his call to action in a 2012 speech at the BioCrossroads Indiana Life Sciences Summit, that lead to the establishment of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute.

Lechleiter earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Xavier University and master’s and doctoral degrees in organic chemistry from Harvard University. He has received honorary doctorates from Marian University, the University of Indianapolis, the National University of Ireland, Indiana University, Franklin College, Butler University and Purdue University.

Lechleiter is a member of the American Chemical Society. He serves as vice chair of the board of the Science History Institute and is an emeritus member of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership board. Lechleiter also serves on the boards of Ford Motor Company, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Nike, Inc., and United Way Worldwide.

Patricia (Patty) Martin

President and CEO, BioCrossroads Inc.

Patricia (Patty) Martin joined BioCrossroads as the president and CEO in July 2019. A former Eli Lilly and Company executive, she was the chief operating officer (COO) of Lilly Diabetes for seven years as well as served as Lilly’s Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) and Chief Alliance Officer (CAO). In her 25-year career at Lilly, she also had leadership roles that included strategy, clinical product development, and investor relations.

Martin’s background is a unique breadth of experience integrating science and business. As COO of Lilly Diabetes, she was part of a leadership team that established a vision and strategy that uniquely addressed the increased prevalence and diverse needs of people living with diabetes. During her tenure, Lilly Diabetes launched an unprecedented six new products in 18 months, increasing sales from $6 billion to $8 billion. As CAO, she spearheaded collaborative efforts to ensure the success of Lilly’s partnerships and facilitated cross-functional and cross-disciplinary cooperation to deliver results.

Martin serves on the board of directors of CareSource, Inc. and UltiMed, Inc.

Actively involved in Indianapolis and national non-profit organizations, she is currently a member of the Indiana University Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council; member of the board of trustees of the Christian Theological Seminary; the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Indiana University Kelley School of Business; and was the board chair for the 500 Festival in 2016. She also serves a board member of the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition.

A graduate of Indiana University, Martin also earned her MBA from the Harvard School of Business.

Theresa Mayer, PhD

Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Purdue University

Theresa S. Mayer, PhD, is Purdue University's executive vice president for research and partnerships, and a professor of electrical and computer engineering. She oversees Purdue’s $660 million research enterprise, including Discovery Park, an interdisciplinary complex for grand-challenge research and is responsible for Purdue’s international programs and its global and corporate partnerships endeavors.

Before joining Purdue University, Mayer served as vice president for research and innovation and a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Virginia Tech. Prior to her role at Virginia Tech, Mayer was at Pennsylvania State University for more than 20 years, where she served as a distinguished professor of electrical engineering, associate dean for research and innovation in the College of Engineering, the site director of the National Science Foundation’s National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network and director of the Materials Research Institute Nanofabrication Laboratory.

She is internationally recognized for her research in applications of nanotechnology to electronic and photonic devices with new and previously unexplored functions. Her work in directed and self-assembly of nanoparticles has been used to expand the types and complexity of materials that can be integrated into devices beyond standard lithographic approaches, enabling a wide range of novel structures from low-power integrated nanosensor circuits to nanostructured gradient index optical components.

She has more than 350 technical publications, invited presentations and tutorials, and holds eight patents. Several of her co-inventions have been transitioned into commercial products. She is a fellow of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and has received numerous awards for her teaching and research, including the NSF CAREER award. Throughout her career, she has supported the advancement of women in science and engineering.

Mayer earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, and a master’s degree and PhD in electrical engineering from Purdue University.

Dan Peterson

Vice President, Industry & Government Affairs, Cook Group Inc.

Dan Peterson is Vice President, Industry and Government Affairs for Cook Group Incorporated based in Bloomington, Indiana. Since joining Cook in 1989, he has held a variety of leadership roles in the areas of operations, finance/accounting and human resources. Peterson’s current responsibilities involve industry, government and external affairs. His primary areas of focus center on policies and programs in healthcare delivery as well as education, economic and workforce development.

He currently serves as a Commissioner with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and is a board member of BioCrossroads, the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, the Indiana Health Industry Forum, the Regional Opportunities Initiative and the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation.

Peterson holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and an MBA in finance from Indiana University.

Since 1963, Cook Group companies have been among the leaders in developing health care devices that have improved lives around the world. Cook has been at the forefront of medical research and product development in Interventional Radiology/Cardiology, Endovascular Medicine, Urology, Women’s Health, GI/Endoscopy, Surgery, Critical Care Medicine and other growing diagnostic and therapeutic practices.

Aaron Schacht

Executive Vice President of Innovation, Regulatory and Business Development, Elanco

Aaron Schacht serves as executive vice president of innovation, regulatory and business development at Elanco. In this role, he oversees global R&D, regulatory affairs and business development. With a focus on ideas, products and technologies that address customers’ unmet needs, he applies his passion for scientific discovery to pursue innovative animal health solutions.

Schacht began his career in R&D more than 30 years ago and brings diverse experiences and expertise in life science innovation to his position. He enjoyed a distinguished career at Eli Lilly and Company – starting as a medicinal chemist – where he served in a variety of leadership and strategic management roles across Elanco’s former pharmaceutical company parent.

Schacht obtained a bachelor’s degree in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Wendy Srnic, PhD

Integrated Field Science Global Leader, Corteva Agriscience

Wendy Srnic leads the Integrated Field Sciences (IFS) sub-function within R&D for Corteva Agriscience™. She and her team are responsible for the field performance characterization of crop protection, biotech trait, biologicals and seed applied technologies globally. She serves as a member of the R&D leadership team.

Srnic joined DuPont Pioneer in 2007 as a research scientist in Maize Product Development in Cremona, Italy, following five years of agricultural biotechnology research in the United Kingdom and Italy. Since then, she has served in various positions within breeding, trait development and trait integration.

Srnic makes it a priority to connect researchers with different expertise across seed, crop protection and agronomy to envision and develop integrated technology solutions for growers. She serves on the NC State Research Foundation Board and the Board of Trustees for Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa.

She earned her bachelor's degree in crop and soil science at Michigan State University, a master's degree in weed science from Virginia Tech and her PhD in crop science from North Carolina State University.

Srnic developed a passion for agricultural research growing up on her family’s farm in Michigan. She has lived in seven different states and four countries throughout her education and career. She enjoys gardening, volunteering, running and being with her four children and husband.

Bill Stephan

Vice President for Engagement, Indiana University

Bill Stephan serves as Indiana University’s Vice President for Engagement and is responsible for coordinating and connecting the university’s vast intellectual and creative resources with strategic opportunities to foster Indiana’s economic growth. Stephan currently oversees all of the university’s functions linked to economic development, technology commercialization, marketing and communications.

In 2000, Stephan joined Indiana University as Assistant Vice President for Economic Development and was subsequently appointed Vice President for University Relations and Corporate Partnerships.

An Indiana native, Stephan is an attorney who served for six years as Chief Magistrate at the Marion Superior Court Juvenile Division. He then joined the administration of former Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith where he helped direct social and workforce development policy, served as President and CEO of the Indianapolis Private Industry Council, and later became Chief of Staff and Special Counsel to the Mayor.

Stephan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Arizona State University and a J.D. from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.