Lesley Esford
Mentor-in-Residence
Life Sciences Lead
LinkedIn: Lesley Esford
Lesley is an experienced Life science professional with varied background related to company innovation and commercialization, securing finance, and scientific research and development. In terms of education, she has degrees in both Business Administration (Hons. B.Admin., with a major in finance) and Science (B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.).
Since 2006, she has worked with over 100 entrepreneurs developing drugs, medical devices, and diagnostics addressing a wide array of medical diseases at every stage of the innovation process from concept to commercialization.
Through this work she has expanded her professional network and gained a more comprehensive understanding of the Life Sciences sector and investment community globally. Lesley is a Kauffman Fellow, a Silicon Valley-based international leadership program for venture capitalists and innovators of all kinds.
Areas of specialization:
- Innovation strategy
- Stakeholder engagement
- Partnership development
- Fundraising
- Ecosystem building