Speakers

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  Wes McClelland Federal Policy Expert, Partner, Franklin Square Group
  

  Wes McClelland

  Federal Policy Expert, Partner, Franklin Square Group

  Wes McClelland is a Partner at Franklin Square Group, a DC-based federal policy and government relations firm based in Washington, DC and California. With over two decades of expertise developing and shaping federal policy at the highest levels as both a serving with a focus on financial services, technology, and energy. As a trained engineer, he quickly understands complex systems and technology which helps him to translate and negotiate solutions for clients and policymakers.

  Prior to joining Franklin Square Group, Wes was vice president of federal affairs at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), the leading trade association for the P&C insurance industry. There he represented both small and large financial institutions and navigated pressing industry, regulatory, and congressional issues. He also navigated major dynamics between the U.S. and the European Union.

  Wes served as a senior policy advisor for 12 years on Capitol Hill, most recently as senior policy advisor to Former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) on financial services, energy, commerce, science and technology, and natural resources issues. He was responsible for coordinating policy and Congressional committee action, ushering numerous pieces of legislation through Congress. Additionally, he served as staff lead for the House Energy Action Team.

  Before joining Leader McCarthy’s staff, he served as senior policy advisor to Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.) advising the House Financial Services Committee member during the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform debate and legislation. In addition, he previously served as legislative assistant to former Ways and Means chairman Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.).

  Wes currently serves as Board Chair for the non-profit organization Wahupa Educational Services, a 50-year-old organization based in San Diego which supports low-income, first-generation students who aspire to attend college.

  Wes holds Bachelor degrees in electrical and biomedical engineering from Duke University and a Master’s Degree in economics from the University of Kansas. A California native, he splits his time between San Diego, California and Washington, DC.

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  Sabrina Martucci Johnson President & CEO, Daré Bioscience
  

  Sabrina Martucci Johnson

  President & CEO, Daré Bioscience

  Sabrina Martucci Johnson is a seasoned life sciences executive and passionate advocate for women’s health innovation. As Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Daré Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: DARE), she leads a purpose-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing novel, differentiated products for women. Under her leadership, Daré advances a diverse pipeline spanning contraception, fertility, menopause, sexual health, and vaginal health, with the goal of accelerating access to important therapies.

  Before founding Daré in 2015, Ms. Johnson held senior leadership roles across the biotechnology sector, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of WomanCare Global and Chief Operating Officer of Cypress Bioscience, where she guided multiple strategic transactions and product launches. Earlier in her career, she held marketing and sales roles at Advanced Tissue Sciences and began as a research scientist with Baxter Healthcare’s Hyland Division, working on the recombinant factor VIII program.

  She holds a Master of International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird), an M.Sc. in Biochemical Engineering from University College London, and a B.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University.

  Ms. Johnson is recognized for combining scientific insight with business acumen to bring first-in-category products to market. She currently serves on the boards of ATAI Life Sciences, Biocom California (board chair), and BIO. Her leadership has been honored by Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Pacific Southwest Region), Fierce Pharma’s Most Influential People in Biopharma, and inclusion on the Medicine Maker Power List and Endpoints Women in Biopharma.

  Driven by the belief that women deserve better options, Ms. Johnson champions innovation to transform how women worldwide experience their health and well-being.

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  Heather McAllister Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Topgolf Callaway Brands
  

  Heather McAllister

  Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Topgolf Callaway Brands

  Heather McAllister is a senior corporate executive with expertise in public and private companies leading them through crisis management, organic and acquisitive growth, legal and regulatory challenges, and domestic and international risk assessment. She has advised on numerous commercial transactions, including as a key contributor to multibillion-dollar private equity acquisitions and exits. She has worked in a variety of industries including manufacturing, retail, entertainment, apparel, consumer goods, education, and hospitality.

  McAllister serves as the General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer of Topgolf Callaway Brands, Corp. (NYSE: MODG) – a publicly held company with over 30,000 employees. She brings 24 years of legal experience to her role and manages a department of over 40 professionals globally with a portfolio of brands including Topgolf, Callaway Golf, TravisMathew, Toptracer, Odyssey, OGIO, and Jack Wolfskin. McAllister provides critical business and legal advice to support the Company’s goals and priorities. She led a team to respond to a cybersecurity data breach and a successful business restoration without any adverse regulatory consequences or ransom payment. As corporate secretary, she advises on guidelines of proxy advisory firms, equity plans, and executive compensation. Additionally, she has supported corporate world-wide restructurings enabling the business to optimize its holdings and has assisted in resolving company critical litigation.

  McAllister has served as a multi-time private equity-backed General Counsel and senior business partner with a unique capability to execute high-growth legal and business strategies. She led human resources and served as Chief Academic Officer of a private equity portfolio company. She has partnered with other senior executives on corporate leadership and technology transformations.

  She works collaboratively with others to build consensus on complex problems, allowing them to be simplified into actionable plans, and is known for being decisive. She brings valuable strategy, M&A, litigation, and compliance advice to management teams and boards of directors.

  McAllister began her corporate career as an executive at Stride, Inc. a multibillion-dollar publicly traded ed-tech company that offers online curriculum and management services to charter schools, school districts and private schools in the U.S. and abroad. At Stride, she reported directly to the Audit Committee. Prior to Stride, McAllister served as counsel to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a legal consultant to Fortune 500 companies, and as a litigation associate at two top-tier global law firms.

  McAllister is a frequent speaker on contemporary legal issues and company culture. She holds a Master of Business Administration from The George Washington University, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gannon University and completed the Harvard Program on Negotiation. She also holds specialized licenses in privacy (CCIP) and compliance (CCEP) and is a trained arbitrator and certified mediator. She lives in Solana Beach, California.

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  Christopher L. Tinen Partner, Snell & Wilmer
  

  Christopher L. Tinen

  Partner, Snell & Wilmer

  Christopher Tinen is a partner in the firm’s Corporate and Securities practice group. Christopher focuses on corporate and securities law, providing seasoned counsel to both public and private companies. Christopher’s extensive experience includes all aspects of securities law compliance and transactions. He focuses in advising on SEC reporting, corporate governance and exchange listings as well as various public securities offerings including IPOs, SPACs, follow-on registered offerings and PIPE transactions for emerging and established companies. He also advises on the formation, funding and exit of high-growth startups.