Resources
Resources
Bakar Labs tenants are eligible for our executive mentorship program.
The program pairs company founders with executives who have proven track records. Program director Mimi Hancock has years of experience and an extensive network in the world of corporate biopharma. Mimi meets with founders and listens to their needs; then she identifies C-level executives who are good matches for early-stage companies, based on expertise and specific industry experience.
If there is mutual agreement on a match, a template Executive Mentorship agreement is provided to establish the relationship. The entrepreneur must agree to grant the mentor equity.
The executive provides mentorship for up to six months, an average of two hours per week, or more by mutual agreement. During this time, the relationship is confidential. If the six-month “get to know you” engagement is successful, the parties move to a non-confidential, more permanent relationship, with the mentor becoming a board member or other formal advisor.
Mimi Hancock, PhD
Managing Director, Executive Mentorship
As a scientist with training in genetics and cellular biology, 10+ years experience in the biotech industry as well as over 20 years experience in executive search, Mimi has helped build and advise multiple organizations ranging from venture-backed start-ups to multi-national biopharmaceutical companies. Initially focused in oncology, Mimi joined Triton Biosciences where she conducted early research targeting HER-2 positive breast cancers with a combination of monoclonal antibodies and chemotherapy drugs. Upon the sale of the company, Mimi joined Hana Biologics as Director of Cell Biology and helped transition it into gene therapy through the acquisition of Somatix Therapy Corporation. In 1992, she co-founded Avigen, which was the first to use AAV vectors for gene delivery. Mimi entered the executive search field in 1994 to focus on top leadership in global Biotechnology and R&D organizations and helped numerous organizations with Boards of Directors, VP and C-level roles.
She currently serves as an Honorary Member of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer.
Mimi graduated with a BA with Honors in Biological Sciences from the University of Chicago, PhD in Genetics from the University of California, Berkeley, and Post-doctoral Fellow at Stanford University where she was the recipient of a Damon Runyon Cancer Fund Fellowship Award.
Bakar Labs tenants have inside access to QWEST, a fully-funded workforce development program.
In the competitive QB3 Workforce Education for bioScience and bioTechnology (QWEST) program, undergraduate UC Berkeley students are selected for training and work experience over the summer months at participating Bakar Labs tenants. Many students choose to continue work-study through the fall and into the spring. The internship, which can last for six months, is fully paid by QB3. The goal is to generate high-value employees who will be assets to fast-growing companies in the Bay Area and wider California life science sector.
There’s also the opportunity to select motivated, skilled students from QB3-Berkeley’s separate undergrad internship program.
