After joining OTRADI and OBI in 2017, Ellis was promoted to assistant director in early 2019. She assumed the role of executive director for the organization in June 2020.

In her role, Heather manages and oversees all of OBI and OTRADI operations and spearheads OBI’s newest initiatives. She currently serves on the Portland Innovation Quadrant Board of Directors.

Ms. Ellis graduated from Portland State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree with minors in Business and Communications.

Ms. Thompson is an administrator with years of experience providing associations and businesses with managerial support. Before joining OTRADI, Ms. Thompson was an executive assistant at a number of large organizations, including Newsweek magazine and the City Club of San Francisco.

Rene Miller joined the Oregon Bioscience Incubator/OTRADI in January 2020. As Associate Director, Rene recruits and helps select new client companies to join the incubator, implements and markets community and client programs and events, leads DEI initiatives, and manages communications and social media outreach.

Ms. Miller holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Business from Portland State University and Clinical Laboratory Science from Oregon Health & Science University/Oregon Institute of Technology, as well as a Master of Science in Nutrition from University of Western States. Rene’s background includes clinical laboratory experience and small business ownership. As a longtime Chamber of Commerce participant, she also brought her interest in supporting and encouraging business growth and development to the OBI.

Adrienne Klein brings a unique blend of skills and experiences to her role at Oregon Bioscience Incubator/OTRADI, where she joined the team in October 2023.

Adrienne gained invaluable experience in her previous career in the field of accounting working with start-ups in the Portland area. In her previous role, she was instrumental in providing financial guidance and support to emerging businesses, helping them navigate the complex financial landscape of entrepreneurship. Adrienne’s passion for biotechnology runs deep. Her fascination with the potential of biotech to transform healthcare and improve lives led her to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health at Southern New Hampshire University.

As Programs and Operations Specialist, Adrienne is dedicated to creating an environment where innovation can flourish, resources are readily available, and strategic guidance is within reach for biotech start-ups. She manages day-to-day operations, facilitates networking and collaboration among biotech entrepreneurs, and coordinates essential programs and resources to propel innovative biotechnology ventures forward.

The OBI has two Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), Bill Newman and Gordon Hoffman. Both have extensive entrepreneurial and venture capital backgrounds. They assist and coach OBI client companies and, through their BioMentor role, other emerging Oregon bioscience startups throughout the state of Oregon. Their areas of expertise include business formation, financing options, investor presentation reviews, business strategy, business model development, corporate development and governance, M&A, strategic partnerships, and both general and bioscience-specific business issues. The EIRs have an onsite office and work with OBI client companies regularly.

The OBI has two Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), Bill Newman and Gordon Hoffman. Both have extensive entrepreneurial and venture capital backgrounds. They assist and coach OBI client companies and, through their BioMentor role, other emerging Oregon bioscience startups throughout the state of Oregon. Their areas of expertise include business formation, financing options, investor presentation reviews, business strategy, business model development, corporate development and governance, M&A, strategic partnerships, and both general and bioscience-specific business issues. The EIRs have an onsite office and work with OBI client companies regularly.