Empire State Development welcomes Adam Volini as the new Executive Director and Vice President of Life Sciences & Strategic Partnerships.
At ESD, Adam will help advance New York’s Life Sciences Initiative by strengthening strategic partnerships, supporting innovation across the ecosystem, and accelerating growth in priority areas including research, manufacturing, workforce development, and commercialization.
Adam brings more than 20 years of experience across the life sciences sector, spanning research, management consulting, and leadership roles supporting large-scale technical and operational transformations at global biopharmaceutical organizations. Most recently, his work has focused on advanced and personalized therapies, including the commercialization of cell and gene therapies.
Adam assumes the role following the leadership of Maria K. Mitchell and interim Vice President Joan Spivak, whose vision and stewardship helped strengthen New York’s life sciences ecosystem and build a strong, statewide portfolio.
Since its launch in 2017, ESD’s $620 million Life Sciences Initiative has been instrumental in positioning New York as a global leader in life sciences innovation, supporting organizations and programs such as Excelsior Sciences, Empire Discovery Institute, New York Bio Connect, the GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Facility at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York BioGenesis Park, and a growing portfolio of workforce and early-stage innovation efforts.
We are excited to welcome Adam as New York continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for life sciences.