The Termeer Institute today announced that Catharine Smith has been named Chief Executive Officer, reflecting her established leadership of the organization and the importance of the role to guide the Institute’s mission to become a global force to advance transformational biotech leadership.

The Termeer Institute is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Henri A. Termeer by identifying, supporting, and empowering life sciences leaders who can bring life-changing treatments to patients.

“Catharine has led our work with integrity, vision, and deep commitment to our mission,” said Belinda Termeer, president and co-founder of the Termeer Institute and Member of the Board of Directors. “As CEO, we are confident that Catharine will lead the Institute toward its vision for the next generation of global, purpose-driven biotech leaders and faster cures for patients.”

As executive director since 2021, Smith has guided the Institute through a period of significant growth. Under her leadership, the organization expanded its flagship Termeer Fellows Program, deepened its mentorship network, and broadened collaborations with academic, corporate, and nonprofit partners across the biotech ecosystem both here in the US and abroad.

“Leading this work has been the privilege of my career,” said Smith. “This moment is about the work ahead: supporting leaders who are responsible not only for scientific excellence, but also for creating an ecosystem defined by humility, responsibility, innovation, passion, and connection. Our vision is a global community where every patient has a cure, and we are committed to building the leadership capacity that will make that vision a reality.”

About the Termeer Institute

The Termeer Institute empowers a diverse, global community of life science innovators and visionaries to transform the human element of healthcare and accelerate cures for patients worldwide. The Institute addresses a critical gap in the industry—the human variable—by developing life science leaders who are dedicated to improving patient lives and tackling the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

Our values-driven program enriches the core attributes essential for transformative innovation: responsibility, passion, creativity, humility, and connectivity. Our programs nurture talent across all career stages—from emerging pioneers to established experts—spanning industry and academia.

Since its founding in 2019, the Termeer Institute has made tremendous strides in providing support to leaders and scholars:

• 83 Termeer Fellows and Scholars come from nine countries and six US states.
• Since 2023, the Fellows classes have included 56% women.
• Termeer fellows have raised $3.2 billion in funding, 82% of Fellows’ companies are still active, and 70% of Termeer Fellows remain in CEO roles.
• The Institute has provided over 250 hours of programming and support to Fellows and Scholars past and present. One hundred fifty of those hours were 1-on-1 sessions with consultants and expert coaches.

We recognize that advancing new treatments is a demanding journey with low odds of success. Through collaboration, mentorship, and inclusivity, we enhance the collective ability to drive breakthrough innovations and ultimately increase the probability of developing life-changing cures. Find out more about The Termeer Institute and how you can support, engage with, and join our network at termeerinstitute.org and on LinkedIn @TermeerInstitute.

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