Meet Your 2023 John Holaday Leadership Award Finalists for the BioHealth Capital Region

In honor of the late John Holaday, Ph.D., a luminary in the fields of science, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and community leadership, the ‘John Holaday’ BioHealth Leadership Award stands as a beacon recognizing those who embody his guiding principle — “do well by doing good.” Meet the 2023 finalists for the BioHealth Capital Region, nominated by YOU. Check out Philly’s here.

January 25, 2024

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Leadership, as succinctly defined by Dictionary.com, is “the action of leading a group of people or organization.” But let’s be honest… it is so much more than that. 

Leadership goes beyond merely holding a position of authority; true leadership is marked by the ability to ignite passion, instill purpose, and cultivate a sense of unity and purpose. Leadership serves as the driving force that propels teams, connects communities, and drives industries forward. It stands as the cornerstone of success in any collective endeavor.

And for the BioHealth Capital Region, no words could be more true. As we secured a top spot on Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News’ rankings this past year, #3 to be exact, leadership was absolutely and unequivocally, a core reason for that. 

Which is why our annual Leadership Award is always so coveted. Nominated by and voted on by the community and dearest BioBuzz readers, the ‘John Holaday’ Leadership Award, one of six awards presented annually within our Annual Awards, recognizes a regional biohealth leaders annually whose unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation mirrors that of the late John Holaday, CEO and Founder of EntreMed and MaxCyte. 

John Holaday – “Do Well By Doing Good”

Born on June 9, 1945, John Holaday was a remarkable individual who embodied a rare combination of roles and achievements. He was “a business man with the heart of a philanthropist; an activist; a man of deep passion and compassion; a scientist; a US Army Captain; a university professor; an entrepreneur; a founder and CEO of three public companies; a holder of over 80 patents; an acclaimed author of more than 230 articles and five books; a father; a husband; and a tireless champion of the underdog.”

While his life was tragically cut short on October 4, 2019, Holaday left an indelible mark on the life sciences. Championing the principle of “do well by doing good,” his unwavering commitment to excellence is just one of the many reasons for the naming of our award. 

As Doug Doerfler, so emotionally shared in his 2021 acceptance speech, “I knew John for a very long time; he was co-founder of my company. He was a friend, he was a mentor, and he taught me a lot. He was a natural teacher about important stuff, not only science but about how to be a person, how to be a leader, and how to be a person that supported the organizations that we were developing.” 

Most recently the chairman, founder, and CEO of DisposeRx, his dedication to addressing the opioid crisis, lead him to testify before Congress and attend the signing of the Opioid Crisis Response Act at the White House.

Holaday’s legacy extends beyond business success; he was a humanitarian and mentor to countless scientists and executives, inspiring them to carry on his legacy of passion and innovation. His memorable quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world,” reflects his visionary spirit and that of our previous Leadership Award winners which include Dr. Kurt Newman, President & CEO, Children’s National Hospital (2022), Doug Doerfler, CEO, Maxcyte (2021), Marco Chacon, Ph.D., Founder & President, IRAZU Bio (2020). 

So, without further adieu, it’s our pleasure to [more] officially introduce our 2023 BioHealth Capital Region Leadership Award finalists (in alphabetical order). 

And the Finalists Are… 

Dr. Carol Nacy, Founder and CEO, Sequella

Dr. Carol A. Nacy, a distinguished leader in the pharmaceutical industry, co-founded Sequella, Inc. in 1997 and has been at the helm as CEO and Chairman of the Board since 1999. 

Her entrepreneurial journey began with significant roles, including Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) for Anergen, Inc., a California-based company acquired by Corixa Corporation in 1998. Prior to Sequella, she served as Executive Vice President and CSO at EntreMed, Inc., co-founded by John Holaday, contributing to its successful initial public offering in June 1996. 

Dr. Nacy’s extensive career encompasses her tenure as a Career Scientist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, focusing on tropical infectious diseases. Beyond her roles in pharmaceutical leadership, she is actively involved in global health organizations and serves on the board of directors for both for-profit companies and non-profit agencies. Her commitment to advancing healthcare is evident in her pivotal role in founding Sequella, where she continues to lead the company’s efforts in discovering and developing treatments for life-threatening infectious diseases.

Dr. Nacy’s entrepreneurial vision became evident as she co-founded Sequella, guiding the company’s trajectory since 1999. Her leadership extends beyond Sequella, with impactful roles at Anergen and EntreMed, where she played vital roles in scientific and executive capacities. Dr. Nacy’s scientific prowess, honed during her career as a Career Scientist, has been instrumental in shaping her approach to addressing neglected diseases and advancing pharmaceutical solutions.

As the CEO and Chairman of Sequella, Dr. Nacy continues to drive the company’s mission of developing effective treatments for life-threatening infectious diseases. Her dedication extends to serving on the board of directors for various companies and non-profit agencies, emphasizing her commitment to broader healthcare advancements. Dr. Nacy’s multifaceted leadership, blending entrepreneurship, scientific acumen, and advocacy, exemplifies her enduring impact on the pharmaceutical landscape.

You can vote once per day between now and February 29, 2024 for our Annual Awards. Winners will be selected on the total number of votes and announced at our Annual Awards Celebration this April [stay tuned for more details]. 

Jane Shaab, Senior Vice President, UMB Health Science Research Corporation (RPC), Associate Vice President for Economic Development, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Jane Shaab is a tireless advocate and ambassador for the city of Baltimore, dedicating her life to building the region as a top life sciences destination. 

Under her leadership, the UM BioPark has grown into Baltimore’s largest cluster of life sciences companies, revitalizing 14 acres of years-vacant commercial property and generating over $600 million dollars in capital investment to revitalize development of a 470,000 square foot world-class biomedical research center. 4MLK is next. 

Shaab is not only a champion for the BioPark’s development but also an ambassador to the neighboring West Baltimore communities. She ensures responsible growth and has facilitated over $1 million in support for community-requested funding, addressing needs such as schools, safety measures, and job training. Shaab actively participates in UMB’s community engagement efforts, leading initiatives to support the local community during the pandemic.

With a rich background in economic development and community service, Shaab served as Executive Director of the Greater Baltimore Technology Council, which she helped spin-out from the Greater Baltimore Committee and establish as its own independent nonprofit. She also served as Director of Economic Development for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Director of National Marketing for Maryland Economic Growth Associates, Inc., and a marketing consultant to the Greater Baltimore Committee.

She is involved in various boards, including the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Board of Visitors, the Southwest Partnership, the B&O Railroad Museum, and the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance. She was a founding member of Poe Baltimore Board of Trustees. 

Shaab’s contributions have been recognized over the decades for her “notable successes and demonstration of strong leadership both within and outside of their chosen field.” After being named to The Maryland Daily Record’s Top 100 Women list three times (1997, 1999 and 2001), she became a member of the Circle of Excellence.

Most recently, Shaab received AURP’s 2023 Career Achievement Award.

You can vote once per day between now and February 29, 2024 for our Annual Awards. Winners will be selected on the total number of votes and announced at our Annual Awards Celebration this April [stay tuned for more details]. 

Jeff Galvin, CEO, American Gene Technologies and AddImmune

Jeff Galvin brings over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, including successful ventures in Silicon Valley as a tech entrepreneur and investor. His journey in biotech began unexpectedly after meeting Dr. Roscoe Brady at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This chance encounter led to the founding of AGT in 2008, with a mission to leverage gene and cell therapy technologies to alleviate human suffering and bring forth the beginning of a new life sciences technology revolution on a global scale that would lead to cures for thousands of diseases, including cancer.

Galvin has led AGT under the company motto of “Where Creativity Cures.”  This quote exemplifies his entrepreneurial spirit and his relentless commitment to never losing sight of the goal – which is bringing forth a cure for HIV, and many other diseases. Galvin was a 2022 Inductee into the Montgomery County Business Hall of Fame, and aside from his business leadership he is well known for leading by example in the community as well. Galvin regularly speaks with students about STEM and life science careers at both K-12 schools and at the University of Maryland Shady Grove campuses and is also regularly found speaking at the Kids Museum.

After positive Phase 1 data from their HIV Cure program (AGT103-T) last year, AGT spun out AddImmune as a new company to exclusively focus on advancing the commercializing of that program and entered into a Business Combination Agreement with 10X III Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. III (10X III) this past August to take the company public.

Last year, Galvin accepted the BioBuzz Media Award on behalf of American Gene Technologies for their HIV-focused video series, “The Cure Chronicles.” Hosted by Galvin, this series features thoughtful and compelling conversations with people in the HIV community discussing a wide range of topics through the perspectives of people living with HIV, advocates, medical experts, policymakers, and more. Now in its 23rd episode, “The Cure Chronicles” is just one of the many reasons Galvin returns as a finalist in 2023. 

You can vote once per day between now and February 29, 2024 for our Annual Awards. Winners will be selected on the total number of votes and announced at our Annual Awards Celebration this April [stay tuned for more details]. 

Jeff Schubert and Tracy Staley, Co-Founders, Texcell–North America

In 1991, Jeff Schubert, alongside his wife, Tracy Staley, founded Cell Trends, Inc., a custom cell culture entity. Under their leadership, the company evolved to offer GLP viral clearance testing services. Schubert and Staley have been active in the Frederick community over the past 30 years and built a legacy through a company that has been a pillar in the region’s biotech industry.

In December 2010, Cell Trends was acquired by the French company, Texcell Group, leading to the company re-branding as Texcell- North America. The subsequent years saw significant growth and service expansions, leading to a relocation to Frederick, Maryland in 2012. In June 2023, the site quadrupled its operational space with the addition of a new state-of-the-art viral clearance facility.

Upon announcing his retirement this past October, Eric Henriet, Chairman of the Board for Texcell- North America, expressed his gratitude for the duo’s decades of work with the company. “Jeff’s remarkable vision and leadership have been integral to Texcell’s growth and success. Both he and Tracy have made invaluable contributions, and we are deeply appreciative of their service.”

You can vote once per day between now and February 29, 2024 for our Annual Awards. Winners will be selected on the total number of votes and announced at our Annual Awards Celebration this April [stay tuned for more details]. 

Troy LeMaile-Stovall, CEO, TEDCO

As the CEO of TEDCO, Maryland’s $200M+ AUM, 60M+ operating budget, $2.5B impact, 1.4 TVPI, economic engine for technology companies, Troy A. LeMaile-Stovall leads the organization’s mission to support economic empowerment through the cultivation of a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. He also serves as a Strategic Advisor for Hunter Lewis, LLC, an investment management advisory firm, led by Cambridge Associates Co-Founder Hunter Lewis.

Under his leadership, TEDCO’s investment funds have expanded, and TEDCO has become one of the most active investors in Maryland and the Midatlantic region. The TEDCO investment portfolio has grown, as has the impact of their investments spread across all of Maryland and for all Marylanders. TEDCO has continued to be an important commercialization engine for early life science companies and supported follow-on investment for many of the successful companies we see growing across the state.

An accomplished & award-winning Chief Experience Officer with significant experience in leading and implementing strategic plans via strong coaching and a focus on metrics, LeMaile-Stovall has led or co-led over $3B in debt and equity offerings.

LeMaile-Stovall is an entrepreneur at heart; he founded the management consulting firm LeMaile-Stovall, LLC and co-founded GulfSouth Capital, the family investment/venture capital office for US Ambassador to Portugal and SkyTel founder John N. Palmer, where he served as the first President and CEO.

LeMaile-Stovall is a subject matter expert in capital stock formation and a frequent speaker on venture capital, economic development, and higher education administration, among other topics. He has published articles on entrepreneurship, venture capital, economic development, diversity and inclusion, culture, and higher education. 

He was included in the Leadership Greater Washington Signature Program Class of 2019, selected to the Baltimore Business Journal’s 2020 Leadership Trust, and the DC Chamber of Commerce selected him for the “2020 Chamber Choice Chairman’s Award.” In 2021, he was named to the Agenda’s “Board Diversity 100 Board-Ready Candidates You’ve Never Heard Of” list and in 2022, he was awarded “Most Admired CEO” by The Daily Record, and named a “Tech Titan” by the Washingtonian. 

LeMaile-Stovall has also coached an award-winning youth robotics team and is a USA Swimming-certified stroke-and-turn and chief judge official. A triathlete himself, he is married to marathoner Sonya L. Wiggins and is the father of two academically gifted and multi-talented young athletes, Zora Lauren, and Langston Anthony as well as their AkiPoo dog (Akita and Poodle mix), Hamilton.

You can vote once per day between now and February 29, 2024 for our Annual Awards. Winners will be selected on the total number of votes and announced at our Annual Awards Celebration this April [stay tuned for more details].