Blazevich Steps into New Role During Period of Significant Momentum for Life Sciences in Colorado

Denver – Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) announces the appointment of medical device company founder and business community leader, Elyse Blazevich, as the new CBSA President & CEO. Blazevich is a tested and trusted leader who will strategically advance CBSA’s work to build a pro-innovation environment for life sciences in Colorado.

Bob Reddy, Vice President of Global Marketing, Medical Education and Training, Medtronic Enabling Technologies, CBSA Board of Directors Chair:  
“I look forward to collaborating with Elyse to champion the growth and health of life sciences in Colorado. She brings deep knowledge of life sciences company needs, Colorado BioScience Association, and Colorado’s business community to bring continuity, connections, and a clear vision for CBSA’s future.”   

Blazevich takes over leadership of CBSA during a period of rapid growth for the life sciences community, with record-breaking fundraising and major global companies deepening their investments in Colorado. The state’s life sciences companies continue to break fundraising records every year, with $2.6 billion raised in 2020 and $704 million raised in the first quarter of 2021. More than 32,000 Coloradans are directly employed in life sciences, representing an economic impact of $3.09 billion in annual payroll.   

Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of Colorado BioScience Association, said:
“By all measures, Colorado’s life sciences community is growing and maturing. I am ready to accelerate the ecosystem’s momentum and work closely with the CBSA board, team, members, sponsors, and partners to expand Colorado’s presence as a leading hub for life sciences in North America.”

Kathleen (Kiki) Traylor, M.D., Director of State Government Affairs, Amgen, CBSA Board of Directors Vice Chair, said:
“Elyse is the ideal fit for this linchpin role in Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem. Her expertise as a medtech founder and chief executive, business community leader, member and committee chair of the CBSA Board of Directors, and revenue generation expert for non-profit organizations will allow her to hit the ground running.”

The search was led by the CBSA Board of Directors Executive Committee, chaired by Reddy and Traylor, following former President & CEO Jennifer Jones Paton’s decision to transition out of the organization.

Blazevich will also serve as the President of the Colorado BioScience Institute (the Institute), CBSA’s sister organization, focused on workforce cultivation. She takes over leadership of CBSA and the Institute as the company she founded and led as COO and CFO, Securisyn Medical, evolves from a founder-led startup to a professionally led, commercial-stage medical device company. She will remain a member of the Securisyn Medical Board of Directors.

Before co-founding Securisyn Medical, Blazevich led investor relations for the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. She has also served as a board member and leader for Project C.U.R.E. and the Blue Bench in addition to her board leadership role with CBSA. Blazevich holds a B.A. in biology from Colorado College and earned her M.S. in organizational leadership from CSU Global. She is also a graduate of the Colorado BioScience Institute’s Executive Leadership program.

Blazevich will begin her new role at Colorado BioScience Association on November 15.

About Colorado BioScience Association

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products and services that improve and save lives. The association leads Capital and Growth, Education and Networking, Policy and Advocacy, and Workforce Cultivation to make its members stronger, together. Learn more: cobioscience.com

# # #

Media Contact
Sheliah Reynolds
Primavera Group for Colorado BioScience Association
(720) 289-4739
sheliah@theprimaveragroup.com