The Aspen Institute

Joel Villegas (Chicago, Illinois) is the CEO and Co-founder of the National Hispanic Life Sciences Society, the leading professional membership organization for Hispanics in the biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical sectors. Under Joel’s leadership during the past 4 years, NHLSS’s annual “Diversity, Inclusion, & the Life Sciences” symposium has become the industry’s top event focused specifically on the crucial interface between diversity/inclusion and the global biopharmaceutical sectors. In addition, Joel is the Program Manager for the Clinical Research Exchange (CRE), a collaboration between the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council and the Center for Healthcare Innovation. CRE brings together leading provider sites along with organizations in the biotechnology, CRO, medical device, and pharmaceutical sectors to increase and improve clinical research in the tri-state region of Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana, and Southern Wisconsin. Joel is responsible for the operations of the business, including creating and maintaining the network relationships, driving marketing initiatives, identifying and implementing new business ideas, project management, contract management, managing the budget, overseeing the internship program, administration, and research. This includes coordinating the agenda and the substantive discussions of the CRE Advisory Committee, a unique group composed of 15 plus top research executives from many of the major healthcare providers in Chicago. MCHC is one of the largest, oldest, and most innovative hospital membership organizations in the US, so through his crucial role in this program, Joel has gained valuable experience in the healthcare ecosystem. Joel has also expanded his knowledge in the life sciences as a fellow and key member of the Center for Healthcare Innovation, a 501(c)(3) research center and thought-leadership institution focusing on the global life sciences industry. (Attended Aspen Idea’s Festival, Spotlight Health)