I am a first-generationCuban American born and raised in Florida.  After earning my bachelor’sdegree in chemistry from the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!), I spent 7years in a pharmaceutical Microbiology QC lab and 3 years in New Product Developmentat a medical device manufacturer. As soon as I interviewed at LifeLink TissueBank, I knew the tissue arena was where I wanted to build my foreverhome.  That was 19 years ago and I’ve loved every minute of supporting thewonderful mission of tissue donation.

 In my current role, I am theDirector of Quality Control and I also oversee our Supplier Quality Managementprogram. I am CTBS certified and an ASQ Certified Manager of Quality andOrganizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).  In my spare time, I exercise thecreative part of my personality with more crafts than any single person shouldever try to master, spending time with my family and friends, and visiting theDisney parks as often as I can.  (I love Disney so much that I married aman named Mickey.)

Juan Pablo holds a PhD in Biomedicine and Tissue Engineering and an MSc inBiomedical Engineering from the University of Barcelona, along with a BSc inBiomedical Engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey. He is a Level I member ofMexico’s National System of Researchers (SNI-I) and a current member of the Scientificand Technical Affairs Committee (STAC) of the AmericanAssociation of Tissue Banks (AATB).

He brings over 15 years of international experience in translationalresearch, biomedical innovation, and regulatory science. He has led thedevelopment and scale-up of collagen-based medical devices, includingdecellularized tissues, heart valves, dermis, and peripheral nerves, securingregulatory approvals and national patents. His expertise spans the full productlifecycle under GMP and ISO 13485 standards, with a strong focus onquality-by-design and risk-based methodologies.

Currently, he leads the scientific pipeline at ITC(Instituto de Terapia Celular), driving the development of AdvancedTherapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) based on mesenchymal stromalcells (MSCs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), and biofunctional scaffolds. Inparallel, he serves as National Academic Director of BiomedicalEngineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey, fosteringinnovation-driven education and strategic collaboration between academia,industry, and clinical stakeholders.

Dr. Joaquim Vives is a biochemist with a PhD in Biochemistry and over two decades of experience in biotechnology and advanced therapy development. He leads the Research Group for ATMP Development at Banc de Sang i Teixits (Barcelona), where his work focuses on clinical-grade cell production, 3D tissue constructs, in vivo regeneration models, and biomarker validation.

Dr. Vives has authored 70+ peer-reviewed publications (h-index 27) and is the inventor of 3 patents. He has supervised 8 PhD graduates, with 4 more in progress, and actively lectures at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, where he co-coordinates a joint Master’s program with Leiden University Medical Centre.

He is the coordinator of the COST Action BTCs4ATMP network, aimed at standardizing SoHO processing for ATMP production, and a leader in EU-funded education projects such as ASIA-TRANSMED Erasmus+. A recognized voice in the field, Dr. Vives is a TEDx speaker, former treasurer of ISCT’s European Committee, and editorial board member for Cytotherapy. He also coordinates ESACT’s annual training course on cell and gene therapy manufacturing.

Francisco Martinez Flores es Medico-Cirujano y Doctor en Ciencias por la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Investigador en Ciencias Médicas de la Secretaria de Salud desde hace 19 años, Profesor de Pregrado y Posgrado en la Facultad de Medicina de la UNAM desde 1998. Su experiencia científica en el área de la biología celular y la terapia molecular aplicada a procesos de trasplantes, criobiótica y recuperación de tejidos le ha valido para ser el fundador del primer Banco de Piel y Tejidos en México clase 100, con certificación ISO9000 en su tipo. Ha sido profesor visitante y conferencista en la Universidad Libre de Holanda, la universidad Birmingham en Alabama EEUU, la Universidad de Oviedo y de la Universidad de Barcelona en España. Es Profesor del Programa de Certificación de Coordinadores de Donación y Trasplante, que imparte la UNAM y el CENATRA. Es el Director del Programa de Investigación en Criobiótica en el Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra y fue Director del Registro Nacional de Trasplantes del CENATRA durante 2014-2015. Actualmente es el Jefe de División del Banco de Piel y Tejidos del Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación que se considera el centro de referencia nacional en materia de Bancos y recuperación biológica de tejidos en México. Miembro de las Asociaciones Europea y Americana de Terapia Génica y Celular, Miembro de la Asociación Europea y Latinoamericana de  Bancos de Tejidos y Miembro de la Academia Mexicana de Cirugía. El Dr. Martínez Flores ha participado en más de 162 publicaciones como autor principal en libros, artículos científicos y comunicados de prensa. 

Ingrid Palacios ha sido parte de la misión de salvar y sanar vidas a través de la donación de órganos y tejidos durante los últimos 14 años. Actualmente trabaja como Gerente de Programas Multiculturales de Alcance Comunitario en New England Donor Services, donde brinda educación sobre la donación de órganos y tejidos (en inglés y español), y desarrolla programas culturalmente inteligentes para promover el registro de donantes dentro de diversas comunidades multiculturales en los Estados Unidos. Ingrid también se desempeñó como Coordinadora de Servicios Familiares trabajando con familias donantes en el entorno hospitalario durante 8 años.

Es la ex presidenta inmediata del Comité de Diversidad, Equidad e Inclusión de la Asociación Nacional para Organizaciones de Procuración de Órganos (AOPO), se ha desempeñado como miembro del grupo de trabajo de DEI de la Alianza de Donación y Trasplante de Órganos, donde en sus inicios fue galardonada con el "Premio Rising Leader", y formo parte de la Junta Directiva de la Asociación Nacional de Asuntos Multiculturales en Trasplantes (AMAT), asociación en la que además lideró el grupo de profesionales latinos durante cinco años.

Se graduó de la Universidad Central de Venezuela con una licenciatura en Estudios Internacionales y tiene más de 20 años de experiencia trabajando con familias de diversas culturas y orígenes en distintas áreas de Servicios Humanos en los Estados Unidos, tales como: Salud Mental, Violencia Doméstica, Abuso Sexual, Trata de personas, Consejería de crisis y Donación de órganos y tejidos. Ingrid se ha propuesto como misión promover la Diversidad, la Equidad, la Inclusión y la Pertenencia en todas las áreas de su vida personal y profesional y completó el Programa de Diversidad e Inclusión en la Universidad de Cornell.

Ingrid ha sido conferencista, moderadora y organizadora en diversas conferencias y simposios, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, donde ha compartido su conocimiento especializado en el desarrollo y ejecución de programas de outreach para promover la donación de órganos y tejidos, así como en temas de diversidad, equidad, inclusión y acceso a la donación y al trasplante. 

Soy el M. en C. Agustín Carrillo García, Químico Farmacéutico Biólogo egresado de la

Facultad de Química de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), donde
también cursé la Maestría en Ciencias Bioquímicas. Complementé mi formación profesional
como Especialista Certificado en Bancos de Tejidos por parte de la Asociación Americana
de Bancos de Tejidos.
Cuento con más de 30 años de experiencia profesional, durante los cuales he tenido la
oportunidad de colaborar en diversas áreas de la industria farmacéutica, de dispositivos
médicos y bancos de tejidos. Mi trabajo se ha centrado en áreas clave como los Sistemas de
Gestión de Calidad, Asuntos Regulatorios, Producción, Validación y el Desarrollo de Nuevos
Productos, especialmente enfocados en dispositivos médicos clase III, derivados de tejido
humano.
A lo largo de mi trayectoria, he participado como asesor colaborador en instituciones de gran
relevancia como la Secretaría de Economía y la Comisión Federal para la Protección contra
Riesgos Sanitarios (COFEPRIS), contribuyendo en la revisión y adecuación de normatividad
tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, particularmente en México y Estados Unidos.
También he tenido el privilegio de compartir mi experiencia académica como asesor de más
de 40 tesis de Licenciatura y Técnico Superior Universitario en áreas como Biotecnología,
Química, Bioquímica, Administración y Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas.
Actualmente, me desempeño como Director de Investigación, Desarrollo y Validación, y
desde hace más de una década lidero proyectos enfocados en el desarrollo de productos y
procesos relacionados con la fabricación de dispositivos médicos clase III.
En el ámbito gremial, he ocupado cargos de liderazgo dentro de la Cámara Nacional de la
Industria Farmacéutica (CANIFARMA), como Vicepresidente de Asuntos Regulatorios en
la Sección de Dispositivos Médicos (marzo 2023 a marzo 2025), y desde marzo de 2025,
como Vicepresidente de Capacitación y Educación Continua.
Mi compromiso sigue siendo el impulso de la innovación tecnológica, la mejora continua en
procesos y productos, así como el fortalecimiento de la normatividad y la formación de
nuevas generaciones de profesionales en el sector salud.

Richard De Jesus en el 2010, asumió un nuevo cargo como Director de Recuperación de Tejidos para LifeLink de Puerto Rico. Este nuevo rol le permitió aportar toda su experiencia y habilidades para reconstruir un Programa de Recuperación de Tejidos más sólido y efectivo en Puerto Rico. Richard no solo contribuyó a mejorar la estructura operativa del equipo y a fomentar un entorno colaborativo y estratégico, sino que también rediseñó los materiales y dinámicas educativas sobre la donación de tejidos, enfocándose en las relaciones humanas, la educación sobre cómo la donación puede mejorar o salvar vidas, y el impacto emocional de la donación en el ser humano. Posteriormente, emprendió un esfuerzo masivo para educar al personal hospitalario, a las oficinas del médico forense y a otras fuentes de referencia, lo que resultó en un aumento del 73 % en el número de donantes de tejido entre 2010 y 2024.

Josh Brennan spent six years as an EMS professional and was an educator for the Red Cross. Josh has been with New England Donor Services since 2008 in various roles in the Tissue Operations Department. He is currently the Director of Tissue Operations. He has published three abstract articles with the American Association of Tissue Banks and was part of the creative development team for the Hopes Heroes - Donor Family Program. He has been invited to speak at multiple workshops/conferences/webinars on various topics, including Electronic Tissue Authorization, Call Center Scheduling, Algorithmic Tissue Screening, Electronic Tissue Allocation, DRAI competency & training, and Grief Concepts. Josh is currently the Chair of the AATB Education Committee and was the project co-manager on the development of the Sepsis Education Online Learning Tool for the RADE Council.

Miles Kueffner currently works as a Partner Relations Manager for two musculoskeletal processors and previously led teams responsible for initial donor screening, donor family paperwork, and tissue processor allocation. Through her time in these roles, she's also been responsible for the review of donor records prior to Medical Examiner release. She has almost 15 years' experience in donation, and prior to her time in our industry, served as a high school teacher. Miles holds a master's degree in healthcare administration in addition to being CTBS certified. When not thinking about how to get donors accepted, she likes winning music trivia and interior design. 

Please welcome Rufus Tolbert, the Multicultural Outreach Specialist at DonorConnect. Rufus has been with DonorConnect for five years, beginning his work in the transportation department and now serving in a key specialized leadership role as the organization's only Multicultural Outreach Specialist.

Rufus covers a vast region that includes all of Utah, western Wyoming, southern Idaho, and eastern Nevada. A recognized leader in his field, he has developed strategic partnerships with other nonprofit organizations, culturally specific organizations, institutions of higher education, and LGBTQ+ organizations to expand the reach and impact of donation education. His primary focus is serving underserved, under-educated, and marginalized communities. Promoting an “Education is essential” to the life-saving mission of organ, eye, and tissue donation amongst communities of color.

 Before joining DonorConnect, Rufus retired from a distinguished career in law enforcement, where he served as a Public Relations and Community Outreach Officer. That experience built the foundation for his current role—bridging trust and connection across diverse communities.

 His innovative and forward-thinking ideas help create opportunities for communities to learn about registering to be an organ donor and ways to change the dynamic of the historical mistrust of the health care system.

Mr. Sindaco joined AATB in 2023 as Director of Standards. Prior to joining AATB, he spent 18 years at the United States Pharmacopeia, heading operations for standards and serving as Executive Secretariat to the Council of Experts. He initially joined USP’s quality department after holding various operations, quality, and regulatory affairs leadership positions in the blood and clinical laboratory industries. Mr. Sindaco earned a B.A. in Biology from Franklin and Marshall College, an M.S. in Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation from the University of Florida, and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. 

I am a highly driven lawyer with over a decade of experience providing guidance to senior leaders. Currently, I serve as Senior Corporate Counsel for Artivion, Inc., a publicly traded medical device company. I previously served for eleven years in the US Army in the Judge Advocate General Coprs. 

In my role at Artivion, I provide legal counsel and strategic advice across various areas of the organization, including issues relating to; data protection; document management; A.I. Governance; and compliance. I serve on Artivion’s artificial intelligence committee, corporate responsibility committee, and cybersecurity committee. 

The thoughts and opinions that I share today are mine and not that of Artivion. I am not representing Artivion on this call. 

I am a Cybersecurity and Risk Management professional with over 18 years of experience guiding organizations through complex security, compliance, and governance challenges. Currently, I serve as Cybersecurity Team Lead for Artivion, Inc., a publicly traded medical technology company. In this role, I lead the information security and risk management initiatives across Artivion’s operations in the US, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC.

I provide strategic guidance in areas such as information security governance, data protection, third-party risk management, and regulatory compliance. I also play an active role in shaping the organization’s approach to responsible technology adoption as a member of Artivion’s artificial intelligence committee, AI usage committee, and Cybersecurity Steering Committee.

The thoughts and opinions that I share today are mine and not that of Artivion. I am not representing Artivion on this call. 

Joe Shaara earned a Masters in Buisness Administration and a Bachelors in Biological Engineering. His current role is Senior Manager of Continuous Improvement at Evergen. In this role, Joe works with the leadership team to mitigate risks and clear roadblocks to achieve goals by challenging them to think differently through 1:1 coaching, team Kaizens, rapid problem-solving and continuously evolving the Lean Daily Management processes. He has more than 15 years of leadership experience, working first for Target as a Senior Operations Manager of Engineering and Facilities, where he led a team of engineers responsible for advanced material handling systems, including robotics and automated storage and retrieval systems. Prior to joining RTI, Joe held a leadership role for Thermo Fisher Viral Vector Services division within Quality Control and Operational Excellence, developing and deploying a world class quality and compliance strategic plan that applied lean, continuous improvement, and statistical process control methodologies. Throughout his tenure, Joe has coached and mentored leaders to deliver higher levels of performance using these methodologies.