Career Possibilities Panel & Speed Networking - Working for Yourself: Independent Consulting, Coaching

In the world of science, careers are no longer linear or predictable. What was once a clearly sign-posted path as you progressed through milestones, a career road map is now circuitous presenting new challenges and opportunities at every bend. Life-long careers in one sector or one company are becoming a rarity as new technologies and shifting social norms disrupt traditional careers. Both employers and employees are seeking more diversity of experience, lifestyle flexibility and alternative paths. This panel is designed to help you think about your career path and the different options that are open to you. The panel will have an informational interview type feel with panelists sharing their career paths, a look at what their job entails, transferrable skills for those looking to make a change, tips for uncovering opportunities, advice for others, and how to make brave leaps.

Panelists will include:

Erin Deemer - Organization Development Consultant, Independent
Jocelyn Dunphy - Owner & Senior Consultant, ProCapability Training & Consulting
Chris Dwan - Independent Consultant, Dwan, LLC
Angela Justice - Founder & Managing Director, Justice Group Advisors
Anne Thessen - Owner & Operator, The Data Detektiv
Lauren Perna - CEO & Head Writer, Lauren Perna Communications, Moderator

 

Date and Time:  
March 31, 2025
6:00-7:30 PM ET

Location:
Zoom

Cost:   
Free to All

 

Given our mission is to promote women's development in STEM we would like to offer a free spot in our workshops to those in transition between jobs or who cannot afford the ticket price. Please contact [email protected] if you qualify.

 

Register Here


 

About the Panelists

Jocelyn Dunphy Currently Owner and Senior Consultant at Pro Capability Training & Consulting (www.procapability.com), Jocelyn specializes in designing and delivering cutting-edge corporate business communication training and coaching for STEM professionals. Before starting her consulting practice, Jocelyn held scientific and management positions at The Procter & Gamble Company, The Gillette Company, and Draeger Medical Systems, Inc. In addition to her work at Pro Capability, Jocelyn has served as Executive Communications Coach for Springboards Consulting, as an adjunct faculty member at Emmanuel College, Boston, in their Biopharmaceutical Leadership Graduate Certificate Program, and as a scientific writer for Takeda Pharmaceuticals. With a longstanding passion for empowering women in STEM, she has energized audiences through guest speaking engagements with the National Association of Women in Science (AWIS) in Washington D.C., and the Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA). Jocelyn holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Indiana University, a Masters in Organization Development from Bowling Green State University, and a B.A. with distinction from the University of Virginia. She also is certified in Teaching English as a Second Language and has been published in several scientific journals.

Chris Dwan is an independent consultant focused on information technologies for the life sciences. He started out building AI systems for the military, but pivoted to bioinformatics in the year 2000. Chris spent nearly a decade with a boutique consulting firm (BioTeam) before leaving to start his independent practice (Dwan, LLC).  Career highlights include designing the IT systems for the NY Genome Center, leading research computing at the Broad Institute, and spearheading cloud-native genomic diagnostics pipelines at Sema4. Chris serves on the Advisory Board of WEST. He is an amateur cellist, an avid gardener, and is also a green space and street safety activist in his hometown of Somerville, MA. 

Angela Justice, PhD, is a behavioral scientist turned biotech executive turned executive coach, dedicated to helping leaders in science-driven industries navigate career transitions and expand their impact. With a background in neuroscience and extensive C-level experience in healthcare and life sciences, Angela brings a unique blend of scientific rigor and executive insight to her coaching. As the founder of Justice Group Advisors, she specializes in working with experienced scientists and technical leaders who are stepping into broader leadership roles, equipping them with the strategic thinking, executive presence, and influence needed to thrive in high-stakes environments. Known for her practical, results-driven approach, Angela helps leaders move beyond technical expertise to shape strategy, lead teams, and drive meaningful change in their organizations.

Lauren Perna is the CEO and Head Writer of Lauren Perna Communications, a mental health advocate, and an award-winning community leader. Her New England-based firm helps life sciences companies tell their stories through content strategy, copywriting, and LinkedIn. Her clients are united by their passion for improving lives. Bringing over 20 years of experience in writing, marketing, and relationship-building to her business, Lauren is an accomplished entrepreneur and writer known for turning even the most complex text into a compelling story. Before starting her company in 2020, Lauren spent nine years at MassBio, where she led initiatives to help life sciences companies raise their visibility. She is also a published mental health writer and fierce advocate for mental health awareness and care. Lauren received her Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University and a certificate in Digital Marketing from Columbia University/Emeritus. She serves as Chief Community Officer with the Chronic Boss Collective, an elected Dedham Town Meeting Representative, and a Founding Member of the Women's Business League Neponset Valley Chapter. 

Anne E. Thessen is a semantic engineer and data scientist known for her contributions to biodiversity informatics, semantic technologies, and data integration. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, where she focused on microbial eukaryote taxonomy and plankton ecology. She held academic positions at several institutions including the one that brought her to Massachusetts at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole and operated her own data science consulting company for five years (pre-COVID). Dr. Thessen has extensive experience in data modeling and standards development, enabling scientific data to become more accessible and reusable across disciplines. She is an Associate Professor in the Genetics Department at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Anne is currently a Multi-PI for the BioData Catalyst, a cloud-based data ecosystem for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and is part of the geospatial team on the Center for Linkage and Acquisition of Data for the All Of Us NIH program. Her work reflects a commitment to advancing collaborative data-sharing initiatives and fostering innovative approaches to interdisciplinary research.