BLOC Announces Leadership and Board Expansion as Organization Scales National Impact
December 22, 2025 | San Francisco, California
BLOC (Biopharma Leaders of Color) today announced the expansion of its Executive Council and Board of Directors, reflecting the organization’s continued growth and increasing national presence across the biopharma and life sciences industry.
As BLOC enters its next phase of scale, the organization has appointed Dr. Johanna Grossman to its Executive Council and Tamar Thompson to its Board of Directors. These appointments strengthen BLOC’s leadership at a time of expanding programming, geographic reach, and community engagement.
Leadership Appointments
Dr. Johanna Grossman, PhD joins the BLOC Executive Council. Johanna is Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences Capital Markets at NYSE Group, part of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. In this role, she advises healthcare and life sciences companies, private equity and venture capital firms, and investment banks on IPO readiness, capital markets strategy, and listing venue selection. Previously, she served as Head of Healthcare at GLG, where she led the U.S. healthcare practice. Johanna holds a PhD and MS in Organic Chemistry from Yale University and a BS in Chemistry from Florida International University.
Tamar Thompson joins the BLOC Board of Directors, bringing nearly three decades of experience across the pharmaceutical value chain. Tamar currently serves as Vice President, Patient Experience and Insights at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, and previously served as Head of Corporate Affairs at Alexion. Prior to that, she led Federal Executive Branch Strategy and State Government Affairs at Bristol Myers Squibb and held policy and consulting roles at ADVI, Kimbell & Associates, and Avalere Health.
Tamar currently serves on the boards of Avidity Biosciences, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Foundation. She is Chair of the Board of Directors for MassBio and serves as a Termeer Institute Mentor. She holds a Master of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health from Trident University, a Corporate Finance certification from Harvard Business School, and is currently participating in the Berkeley NextGen Directors Program.
Current Leadership
Board of Directors
Stephen Abreu, Founding Executive Director
Jose Juves
Mat Mitchell
Rob Perez, Co-Founder
Tamar Thompson
Executive Council
Stephen Abreu
Anthony Donahue
Johanna Grossman, PhD
Megan Nacar
Willie Reaves
Organizational Growth and Momentum
Over the past year, BLOC has expanded its platform, programming, and geographic footprint. Key milestones include the launch of its digital community platform, introduction of a new membership model, expansion of the BLOC 100 program recognizing leaders shaping the future of biopharma, and the launch of New York City and Los Angeles chapters. Today, BLOC maintains an active presence across San Francisco, Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles.
Mission
Over the last five years, BLOC has grown and evolved alongside the industry, while remaining grounded in its core commitment to community. BLOC exists to amplify leadership, accelerate access, and help build lasting legacies of success for people of color across the biopharma and life sciences industry. Through leadership development, visibility, and community-driven programming, BLOC is shaping a more inclusive and representative future for life sciences.
About BLOC
BLOC (Biopharma Leaders of Color) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying leadership, accelerating access, and building lasting legacies of success for people of color across the biopharma and life sciences industry. Through leadership development, executive visibility, and community-driven programming, BLOC creates pathways to opportunity and representation at every stage of the career journey.
Founded on the belief that inclusive leadership strengthens innovation, BLOC connects leaders, operators, investors, and emerging talent through a growing digital platform, regional chapters, and signature industry convenings. With an active presence in San Francisco, Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles, BLOC is shaping a more inclusive and representative future for life sciences.
To learn more about BLOC or to become a member, visit www.blocimpact.org/membership.