Board committees

Susannah Gray served as the Chief Financial Officer of Royalty Pharma from January 2005 to December 2018. She was promoted to Executive Vice President of Finance and Strategy in December 2018 and retired from Royalty Pharma in September 2019. Prior to Royalty Pharma, Ms. Gray served as a managing director and senior analyst covering the healthcare sector of CIBC World Markets’ high yield group from 2002 to 2004, and also previously served in similar roles at Merrill Lynch and Chase Securities (predecessor of J.P. Morgan Securities). Ms. Gray holds an MBA from Columbia University and a B.A. in social studies from Wesleyan University.

Dr. DeFord is the chairman, chief executive officer and president of privately-held, South Carolina-based Samothrace Medical Innovations, Inc., which he co-founded in March 2022.  Until his retirement in May 2021, Dr. DeFord was the executive vice president and chief technology officer of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) (BDX), a global medical technology company, which he joined in December 2017 in connection with its acquisition of C.R. Bard, where he served as senior vice president, science, technology and clinical affairs since June 2007. Dr. DeFord joined Bard in 2004 and served in science and technology roles of increasing responsibility during that time. Prior to joining Bard, Dr. DeFord was managing director of Early Stage Partners, a venture capital fund. Before Early Stage Partners, Dr. DeFord was president and chief executive officer of Cook Incorporated, a privately held medical device manufacturer. He also serves on the board of directors of Nordson Corporation (NDSN),  NuVasive (NUVA), Enable Injections, Inc., Blue Spark, Inc. and GeniPhys, Inc.  DeFord graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in electrical engineering and a Ph.D. in electrical/biomedical engineering. 

Jessica Hopfield is a scientist and business leader with more than two decades of experience in the medical and healthcare fields. She serves as an independent director on the Board of Directors of Insulet Corporation, Editas Medicine and Radius Health. In addition, she is a strategic advisor and investor in start-up healthcare firms. Dr. Hopfield is a former Partner of McKinsey & Company in its global pharmaceuticals and medical devices practice where she led work in strategy, research and development management, and marketing across pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. She also held management positions at Merck Sharp & Dohme in clinical development, outcomes research, and marketing. Dr. Hopfield holds a Ph.D. in biological sciences from The Rockefeller University, an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in biology from Yale College.

Dr. DeFord is the chairman, chief executive officer and president of privately-held, South Carolina-based Samothrace Medical Innovations, Inc., which he co-founded in March 2022.  Until his retirement in May 2021, Dr. DeFord was the executive vice president and chief technology officer of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) (BDX), a global medical technology company, which he joined in December 2017 in connection with its acquisition of C.R. Bard, where he served as senior vice president, science, technology and clinical affairs since June 2007. Dr. DeFord joined Bard in 2004 and served in science and technology roles of increasing responsibility during that time. Prior to joining Bard, Dr. DeFord was managing director of Early Stage Partners, a venture capital fund. Before Early Stage Partners, Dr. DeFord was president and chief executive officer of Cook Incorporated, a privately held medical device manufacturer. He also serves on the board of directors of Nordson Corporation (NDSN),  NuVasive (NUVA), Enable Injections, Inc., Blue Spark, Inc. and GeniPhys, Inc.  DeFord graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in electrical engineering and a Ph.D. in electrical/biomedical engineering. 

Susannah Gray served as the Chief Financial Officer of Royalty Pharma from January 2005 to December 2018. She was promoted to Executive Vice President of Finance and Strategy in December 2018 and retired from Royalty Pharma in September 2019. Prior to Royalty Pharma, Ms. Gray served as a managing director and senior analyst covering the healthcare sector of CIBC World Markets’ high yield group from 2002 to 2004, and also previously served in similar roles at Merrill Lynch and Chase Securities (predecessor of J.P. Morgan Securities). Ms. Gray holds an MBA from Columbia University and a B.A. in social studies from Wesleyan University.

Constantine Mihas has served as a member Maravai LifeSciences’s board since March 2016. Mr. Mihas joined GTCR in 2001 where he is currently Co-CEO and Managing Director. Prior to joining GTCR, Mr. Mihas was Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Delray Farms, a specialty food retailer. Prior to Delray Farms, Mr. Mihas was with McKinsey & Company. Mr. Mihas holds an MBA with distinction from the Harvard Business School and a B.S. in finance and economics from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Jessica Hopfield is a scientist and business leader with more than two decades of experience in the medical and healthcare fields. She serves as an independent director on the Board of Directors of Insulet Corporation, Editas Medicine and Radius Health. In addition, she is a strategic advisor and investor in start-up healthcare firms. Dr. Hopfield is a former Partner of McKinsey & Company in its global pharmaceuticals and medical devices practice where she led work in strategy, research and development management, and marketing across pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. She also held management positions at Merck Sharp & Dohme in clinical development, outcomes research, and marketing. Dr. Hopfield holds a Ph.D. in biological sciences from The Rockefeller University, an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in biology from Yale College.

Sean Cunningham has served as a member of Maravai LifeSciences’s board since March 2016. Mr. Cunningham joined GTCR in 2001 where he is currently a Managing Director, Co-Head of Healthcare. He was previously a consultant with The Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Cunningham holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania as well as a B.A. and B.E. in engineering sciences from Dartmouth College.

Murali K. Prahalad has served as a member Maravai LifeSciences’s board since August 2016. Dr. Prahalad is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Iridia, a nanotechnology company, and was most recently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Epic Sciences, a medical diagnostics company, from August 2013 through April 2019. Dr. Prahalad has two decades of experience in the technology and life science industries. From 2007 through 2013, Dr. Prahalad served in multiple roles at Life Technologies, including as Vice President of Corporate Strategy. Before Life Technologies, Dr. Prahalad was Vice President of Business Development at Sequenom. Dr. Prahalad received a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular pharmacology as well as an M.S. in medical sciences from Harvard University. He also holds a B.S. in cellular and molecular biology and economics from the University of Michigan.