Cristina Killingsworth, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Visits Wisconsin for Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub Site Visit and Wisconsin Biohealth Summit

WISCONSIN / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 21, 2024 / BioForward Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub are honored to welcome Cristina Killingsworth, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, to Wisconsin as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Tech Hubs initiative. Accompanied by Grace Klein, Tech Hubs Program Officer, Killingsworth will engage with regional stakeholders to assess the progress of the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, a key player in driving regional innovation and economic transformation.

As part of her visit, Cristina Killingsworth will deliver a keynote address at the 2024 Wisconsin Biohealth Summit, emphasizing the critical role of regional innovation ecosystems and Wisconsin’s leadership in advancing personalized medicine and biohealth technologies. Grace Klein will also contribute during a panel discussion on workforce development within the context of the Tech Hubs initiative.

“We are excited to welcome Cristina Killingsworth and Grace Klein to Wisconsin to showcase our efforts to position the state as a leader in biohealth,” said Lisa Johnson, CEO of BioForward Wisconsin, who is the lead consortium member for the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub. “The Tech Hubs Program is integral to building regional innovation ecosystems, creating high-quality jobs, and strengthening U.S. competitiveness in critical sectors like biohealth.”

The Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, designated as a Tech Hub by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2024, is part of a national network designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential regions. Through this program, Wisconsin aims to enhance its biohealth sector by fostering innovation in areas such as genomics, biotech manufacturing, and data-sharing infrastructure, propelling the region’s global leadership in personalized medicine.

The EDA has been at the forefront of advancing the federal government’s Investing in America agenda, which includes the Tech Hubs Program. This initiative is designed to expand U.S. leadership in key technology sectors by providing strategic investments in regional innovation and collaboration.

“I am excited to visit Wisconsin, where the Biohealth Tech Hub exemplifies how regional partnerships and federal investments can drive innovation and economic growth,” said Cristina Killingsworth. “The Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub is a testament to the power of collaboration in transforming industries like personalized medicine, while creating high-paying jobs and ensuring U.S. global competitiveness.”

The EDA has been instrumental in leading the Tech Hubs initiative, ensuring that regions like Wisconsin have the resources and support needed to thrive. During the Summit, Grace Klein will participate in a panel sharing insights on fostering local innovation and workforce development through this transformative program. “The Tech Hubs initiative is empowering regions to become global centers of innovation, and I look forward to learning from Wisconsin’s leadership in biohealth,” said Klein.

The Wisconsin Biohealth Summit, themed Shaping the Future of Biohealth: Innovation, Impact, and Industry Leadership, will convene experts from across the biohealth ecosystem to discuss emerging trends, including AI, ESG, and the future of healthcare innovation.

For more information about the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub and the Wisconsin Biohealth Summit, please visit bioforward.org. The Wisconsin Biohealth Summit is a paid, ticketed event. While this event is not free to the general public, media is welcome to request interviews via the contact information on this release.

About BioForward Wisconsin

BioForward Wisconsin represents more than 250 member organizations across a network of health solution leaders, including research institutions, biotech, digital health, and medical device sectors. The association works to strengthen Wisconsin’s biohealth industry by fostering collaboration and driving innovation.

About the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub

The Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, led by BioForward Wisconsin, is a regional consortium of industry, academic, and government leaders. The Hub’s mission is to accelerate growth in personalized medicine and establish Wisconsin as a global leader in biohealth innovation. It is part of the EDA’s Tech Hubs Program, designed to transform high-potential regions into globally competitive innovation ecosystems.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)

The U.S. Economic Development Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, leads the federal economic development agenda by promoting regional innovation, collaboration, and job creation, supporting sustainable economic growth across the U.S.