Susan Desmond-Hellmann

Susan Desmond-Hellmann is president of Product Development for Genentech.

"Hellmann joined Genentech in 1995 as a clinical scientist, and she was named chief medical officer in 1996. In 1999, Hellmann was named executive vice president, Development and Product Operations. Hellmann is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology and completed her clinical training at UCSF. In March 2004, Hellmann was named to her current role as president, Product Development.

"Prior to joining Genentech, Hellmann was associate director of clinical cancer research at Bristol-Myers Squibb's Pharmaceutical Research Institute. While at Bristol-Myers Squibb, she was the project team leader for Taxol.

"Hellmann has also served as assistant professor, Hematology-Oncology at UCSF. During her nine years of training in internal medicine and oncology, Hellmann spent two years as visiting faculty studying AIDS and cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute. She also spent two years in private practice before returning to clinical research.

"In January 2009, Hellmann joined the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Economic Advisory Council for a three-year term. In July 2008, Hellmann was appointed to the California Academy of Sciences Board of Trustees. She was named to the Biotech Hall of Fame in 2007 and as Healthcare Businesswomen's Association's "Woman of the Year" for 2006. Hellmann was named to FORTUNE magazine's "Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Business" list in 2003-08 and in 2001. In 2004-06, The Wall Street Journal listed Hellmann as one of its "Women To Watch." From 2005-08, Hellmann served as member of the American Association for Cancer Research Board of Directors, and in 2001 she was named to the board of directors of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.

"Hellmann serves on the corporate board of Affymetrix.

"Hellmann received her Bachelor of Science in pre-medicine and her medical degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. She also holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of California, Berkeley."

• Director, Project HOPE