Life science leaders launch $1 million fundraising effort as they prepare to hike in New Hampshire & Colorado 

Cambridge, Mass. (April 7, 2026)—Life Science Cares is thrilled to announce the launch of Climb for Community, a physically demanding, purpose-driven challenge for a select group of life science leaders eager to combine impact, camaraderie, and personal challenge. Participants will join one of two hikes in New Hampshire or Colorado,take on this unforgettable challenge and collectively work to raise $1,000,000 in support of local communities.

The 2026 team, led by a committee of industry leaders, including Dave Melville, Art Krieg, Hamid Ghanadan, Jennifer McNealey, Adam Gridley, Alan Smith, Katherine Andersen, and Arthur Tinkelenberg, will hike 20+ miles across in New Hampshire or Colorado over two days in August and September respectively. Each of these leaders in the life science sector has committed to raising $10,000 or more for this effort to fight poverty.

“The inaugural launch of Climb for Community represents the true spirit of our industry, taking on difficult challenges to achieve a greater good,” said Dave Melville, Founder and CEO of The Bowdoin Group. “There is immense power in our collective effort; by stepping out of the office and onto the trails together, we aren’t just raising funds, we are standing in solidarity with our industry to break the cycle of poverty. I am incredibly proud to see this group of leaders lean in so heavily to support the vital work Life Science Cares is doing across the country.”

Proceeds from the Climb will support Life Science Cares’ community investments providing access to basic needs, education, and opportunity in Greater Boston, Philadelphia, New York, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Life Science Cares has invested more than $26 million in high impact community partners and supercharged these investments with over 31,000 volunteers and placed more than 1,300 low-income students in paid internships throughout the industry.

The Climb for Community team includes:

• Adam Gridley, Allay Therapeutics
• Alan Smith, Fenwick
• Alicia Quinn Kitagawa, Life Science Cares San Diego
• Andy Orth, City Therapeutics
• Art Krieg, Zola Therapeutics
• Arthur Tinkelenberg, Neutargeton Therapeutics
• Carin Canale-Theakston, Independent Board Member 
• Chelsea Hewitt, Johnson & Johnson
• Dave Melville, The Bowdoin Group
• Erin Cowhig, HR Executive
• Ginger Gregory, Biogen
• Hamid Ghanadan, The Linus Group
• Heidi Erlacher, Fenwick
• Jeb Keiper, Third Rock Ventures
• Jennifer McNealey, Rondo Therapeutics
• Jesse Essaff, HSBC Innovation Banking
• Jim Reddoch, Royalty Pharma
• Jodie Morrison, Q32 Bio
• Julia Owens, Basking Biosciences
• Katharine von Herman, Korsana Biosciences
• Katherine Andersen, HSBC Innovation Banking
• Kerry Clem, Solaxa
• Lalo Flores, Biotech CEO
• Lindsey Potvin, Bowdoin
• Mark Murcko, Board Member
• Matt Foehr, OmniAb, Inc.
• Michael King, Rodman & Renshaw
• Nina Kjellson, Canaan Partners
• Rene Russo, Xilio Therapeutics
• Richard Wilson, Astellas Pharma
• Rod Cotton, Independent Board Member 
• Rosie Cunningham, Life Science Cares Boston
• Sandra Glucksman, Independent Board Member 
• Sapna Srivastava, Independent Board Member 
• Sarah Boyce, Avidity Biosciences
• Tasia Blazevich, Deloitte
• Tom Daniel, Independent Board Member 
• Yelena Wetherill, Biotech CEO

This year’s team is getting early support from a network of industry leaders and corporate sponsors who’ve contributed over $200,000 to kick off the 2026 fundraising. This includes a signature-level sponsorship from Fenwick law firm. Committee member and joining the hike himself, Alan Smith shared, “I am honored to join fellow life science leaders in this challenging initiative. I love being in the mountains. I admire the people in this community. And Life Science Cares is doing work that genuinely matters.”

Life Science Cares CEO, Sarah MacDonald, noted, “The commitment of the life sciences industry to collaboration, innovation, and solving big challenges is changing lives, and Climb for Community is a powerful example of that. Partnering with this industry, we see every day how these efforts translate into real, measurable change. Now more than ever, funds raised by these incredible hikers help fight poverty and build stronger community connections, and create new pathways to opportunity for those who need it most. We are deeply inspired by what’s possible when we work together.”

There are several ways for people to support this year’s hikers. 

• DONATE: Go to the website and find a hiker you know. They’ll appreciate anything you can give,  $100, $500, or $1,000, to help them hit their goal of $10,000. Donate here.
• SPONSOR: If you’re thinking big as an organization and are able to donate between $5,000 and $100,000, you could join an outstanding group of dedicated sponsors above. Learn more about sponsorship. Contact Lianna Kushi, [email protected] with any questions.

About Life Science Cares 

Life Science Cares activates the financial and human capital of the life sciences industry and partners with nonprofits to disrupt the cycle of poverty and inequality in our communities. Now operating in five life science hubs (Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and New York), LSC has invested $16 million and tens of thousands of volunteer hours in community organizations providing access to basic needs, access to education, or access to opportunity. Learn more at https://lifesciencecares.org/

About Fenwick

Fenwick is a leading law firm, purpose-built to guide visionary tech and life sciences companies and their investors through every stage of growth, from startups securing their first round of funding to leading publicly traded global enterprises. As one of Silicon Valley’s original legal practices, today we have over 600 lawyers, patent agents, engineers, and scientists serving clients all over the world. Regularly recognized for excellence in technology and life sciences, earning Law360 Practice Group of the Year in Technology and Life Sciences and consistent top-tier national rankings from Chambers, for delivering the deep experience and technical skill that help innovators at the forefront of their industries shatter boundaries and redefine what’s possible. Visit www.fenwick.com to learn more.