Jim O’Connell co-founded Envara Health and has built an extraordinary executive team from healthcare, nutrition, and biotech to orchestrate the successful introduction of EncalaTM. He has over 20 years of operational, financial, and entrepreneurial experience in the life sciences. At Safeguard Scientifics, a venture capital firm, Jim led investments in innovative healthcare companies. He was in the Business Development group at Becton Dickinson, a F500 medical technology firm, and prior held operating roles at two successful startups: Chemdex Corp. (IPO in 1999, acquired in 2002) and Biosite Diagnostics (IPO in 1997, acquired in 2007).
Jim is a Kauffman Fellow, and has been a co-chair, speaker, and panel organizer of multiple conferences. He has served on the Board of Directors of numerous healthcare companies and is currently an advisor to non-profit organizations.
Jim received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a Wharton Health Care Scholarship and co-chaired Penn’s $70K Business Plan Competition. He is married with two children and two dogs. Jim has traveled to all seven continents, wishes he were a better guitar player, and is a proud qualifier of the Boston Marathon.
Linda Palczuk joined Envara Health in 2019 to assist the founders with building the company’s infrastructure and human capital. She is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations across all business functions.
Linda has had an extensive and successful career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, most recently holding executive leadership positions as COO at VerricaPharmaceuticals and President & CEO at Osiris Therapeutics (acquired by Smith & Nephew). She had a longstanding career with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and its legacy companies, achieving increasingly senior level commercial and general management positions including VP Established Brands, VP Global Commercial Excellence, VP Sales & Marketing and VP Sales.
Linda currently serves on the Board of Directors at Avadel Pharmaceuticals, where she chairs the Compensation Committee and is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. She previously was on the board of the American Heart Association’s Philadelphia Chapter.
Linda received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Franklin & Marshall College and an MBA from the University of Delaware. She is married with two children and enjoys fitness, golf, and spending time at the beach in North Carolina.
Jim Blessington is responsible for company-wide marketing strategy, campaign and promotional efforts for both healthcare professionals and patients. In addition, he leads commercial operations and infrastructure supporting the successful launch of Encala.
Jim’s extensive background in pharmaceutical marketing includes roles as VP Marketing & Commercial Operations at Verrica Pharmaceuticals and VP Business Operations at Osiris Therapeutics. He had a longstanding career at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in both US and global roles including Marketing, Commercial Operations, Reimbursement, Business Development and Finance. Jim’s responsibilities have spanned multiple therapeutic areas across all phases of brand life cycle and have been heavily weighted in launch activities. He is a highly experienced industry consultant, working with both public and private life sciences companies and has also served on multiple non-profit boards.
Jim received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Saint Joseph’s University and an MBA from Drexel University. He is married with three children and spends free time supporting non-profits, Special Olympics, reading and running.
Kathy Monday joined Envara Health in 2020 as Vice President Manufacturing & Supply Chain. She is responsible for the oversight of manufacturing, supply chain and commercialization for the launch of Encala.
Kathy is a seasoned healthcare executive with a longstanding career in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently holding the role of Senior Vice President, Global Operations at AstraZeneca. Previously, Kathy was Regional Head of Supply and Manufacturing Operations for the Americas region and was accountable for maximizing supply chain value and ensuring outstanding customer service across 8 manufacturing sites. As a Global Operations Executive, Kathy was responsible for leading organizational change and operational excellence to advance capabilities and inspire continuous improvement.
Kathy received her undergraduate degree in General Science from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University. She is married with one son and enjoys running and time with her family at the New Jersey shore.
Chris Pemantell joined Envara Health in 2020 and is responsible for creating and executing trade, distribution, access, pricing, and reimbursement strategies. He is also developing a clear, compelling, and sustainable product value proposition to drive commercial success strategies for the launch of Encala.
Chris previously held the role of VP Network, National Accounts for UnitedHealth Group where he developed and managed value-based care models with providers to improve health outcomes for UnitedHealth members. His earlier experience includes global positions in general management, business development, sales leadership and sales operations roles with Danone Medical Nutrition, Nestlé Health Science and Novartis Medical Nutrition.
Chris received his undergraduate degree in Restaurant Management from Colorado State University and an MBA from Regis Jesuit University. He is married with two children and enjoys international travel and outdoor pursuits such as skiing, hiking, and running.