Stevenson Search Partners is pleased to announce the appointment of Leslie J. Williams to President & Chief Executive Officer at DaCapo Brainscience.
DaCapo Brainscience is a biotechnology company developing disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, beginning with Parkinson's disease.
Ms. Williams joins DaCapo as an accomplished biotechnology entrepreneur and executive with a demonstrated track record of founding and scaling innovative biotech ventures that have advanced breakthrough science from discovery through commercialization. With over 25 years of experience building high-growth life science companies, she brings deep expertise in raising capital, developing corporate strategy, and guiding organizations through critical stages of growth and clinical development.
Prior to joining DaCapo Brainscience, Ms. Williams spent five years as Co-Founder, President & CEO at HC Bioscience, where she led the development of tRNA-based protein editing therapeutics for rare disease and oncology. Her extensive career includes leadership roles at ImmusanT, where she advanced novel immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases, Ventaira Pharmaceuticals, and INO Therapeutics, where she contributed to the commercialization of a novel treatment for neonatal pulmonary hypertension based on nitric oxide, research that contributed to the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. Throughout her career, Ms. Williams has demonstrated exceptional fundraising capabilities, raising over $300 million in venture capital and non-dilutive capital. Her board experience includes positions with BIO, MassBio, Ocular Therapeutix, and Make-A-Wish Massachusetts & Rhode Island, among others.
Ms. Williams earned a Master of Business Administration from Washington University's Olin School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Biology, cum laude, from the University of Iowa. Trained as acritical-care nurse, she brings a unique patient-centered perspective to her executive roles.
About Stevenson Search Partners
Stevenson Search Partners is a global life sciences executive search firm with over 40 years of experience, specializing inbuilding executive teams for biotech, pharma, MedTech, HealthTech, and CRO/CDMO sectors. They offer a range of services including executive search, on-demand talent solutions, board advisory, talent-mapping, and executive coaching, providing tailored solutions to support clients across the life sciences value chain. Stevenson's approach is collaborative and client-centered, focusing on finding leaders who drive innovation in the industry.
