Gwen Acton, PhD
CEO
Gwen Acton, PhD, is an expert on the intersection of science and business. She is CEO of Vivo Group, a consulting firm that improves productivity and innovation in life science and technology companies through strategic leadership development. Prior to this, she served as Director of Scientific Development at the Whitehead Institute, where she established institute strategy for building long-term relationships with industry. Dr. Acton also ran the operations of the Functional Genomics Program, overseeing operations for a $40 million, 50-person sponsored research program related to the Human Genome Project, while successfully managing alliances with industry sponsors.
Dr. Acton received a doctorate in biology from M.I.T. where she worked in a Nobel-Prize winning laboratory. She next served as a faculty member at Harvard University in the department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Dr. Acton recently led the non-profit group Women Entrepreneurs in Science & Technology (WEST), where she expanded membership and programming by over 10-fold. She served a member of the Board of Directors of The Bioscience Network (TBN).
Dr. Acton is the author of the book The Bluffer’s Guide to Genetics, published by Oval Books. She has also authored industry reports published by the Cambridge Healthtech Institute, and has written over 50 freelance articles for organizations such as the Associated (AP), National Public Radio, and Technology Review Magazine. A popular speaker and moderator, Dr. Acton is a member of the National Speakers Association.
