The Foster Healthcare and Biotechnology Association is dedicated to building a community for those passionate about the intersection of healthcare and business. With MBA graduates in high demand across healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries, there are a wealth of opportunities available right now. These roles provide a unique and accessible way to acquire transferable skills that can be applied across various industries in the future. We support career pathways in multiple facets of the industry, including tech/digital health, health administration, biotech, medical devices, global health non-profits, healthcare consulting, and more!
Shilpa G S
Co-President
Full-time MBA Class of 2025
Shilpa has 4-years of experience in healthcare and served as a frontline nurse at India’s premier Apollo Hospitals during the pandemic, where she cared for patients from over 20 countries. Her journey also includes facilitating a pivotal merger of a family-run business with a leading diagnostics firm. Additionally, Shilpa transitioned to a product-based health tech company, where she led the implementation of quality management software across five different countries, streamlining operations and ensuring optimal service delivery at various hospitals. Shilpa is the Lead of Operation for the Nucleate Seatle Chapter where she plays a pivotal role in organizing and managing key initiatives that drive the chapter’s growth and impact. Outside of work, Shilpa loves exploring nature and spending time hiking to recharge and connect with nature.
Candy Tang
Co-President
Evening Class of 2026
Candy has a master’s degree in biomedical engineering and has 7 years of rewarding career in healthcare as a biomedical researcher. She had worked on cool and impactful projects that drove improvement for better patient care while at Abbott, Arrowhead Pharma, and Allen Institute. Candy is accelerating her MBA and is eager for a career change post-MBA. She works for a private equity firm focusing on senior care. She loves talking to her 2-year-old daughter. Candy's dream is to set up a family foundation that supports first-generation female college students for their first year. She has a sweet spot for education and is a board fellow for the Washington Council for Financial and Economic Education. Inspired by her favorite professor, Charles Lee, she wants to be a blessing to many.
Andrew Pei
VP of Operation
Evening Class of 2026
Andrew started his career in the process development labs in the Cell Therapy Development & Operations organization at Bristol Myers Squibb. An engineer by training, he joined the Foster Evening MBA program to expand his network and business knowledge to deliver more lifesaving medicines to patients in need. He currently works in a strategic planning role with a focus on learning & development initiatives.
Outside of work, Andrew enjoys playing in local USTA tennis leagues, jumping into scenic bodies of water, planning national parks road trips, and watching Philadelphia Eagles football.
Viswanath Chilakala
VP of Marketing
Full-time MBA Class of 2025
Viswanath brings over 7 years of experience in technology and venture management. He began his career at Microsoft, where he played a critical role in launching analytics platforms and optimizing workflows, saving millions in operational costs. Viswanath's expertise extends to deep-tech startups, where he spearheaded the recruitment and management of high-potential companies at Creative Destruction Lab. Now, as Vice President of the Health Care and Biotechnology Association at the Foster School of Business, Viswanath is committed to driving strategic marketing efforts that connect innovators, professionals, and industry leaders, facilitating impactful advancements across diverse sectors.
Matthew O’Connor
VP of Corporate Relations and Strategic Partnership
Full Time MBA Class of 2025
Matthew O’Connor is a licensed physical therapist, with five years of clinical experience and a specialist certification in orthopedics. As a clinician working for Emerson Health in Concord, Massachusetts, Matthew played a pivotal role in the hospital's response to the first wave of the COVID19 pandemic. He worked as a patient care technician in the first wave, helping to care for patients afflicted with COVID19 in the hospital setting. Upon his return to his normal outpatient clinic work, he helped develop an interdisciplinary program for the treatment of patients with Long COVID, using his critical thinking and clinical expertise to help patients regain function and live fuller lives. It was this work that inspired him to pursue an MBA, with the ultimate goal of working in a healthcare organization with the mission of improving the lives of as many people as possible. Outside of his work, Matthew enjoys reading, baking bread, and trail running.
The HCBA board members spend a great deal of time networking with trailblazers across the healthcare business, administration, and non-profit community to organize events for our members. We host regular events for members that cover a broad array of topics across hospital administration, health insurance payers, healthcare consulting, global health, and biotechnology. Examples of past events include:
COVID-19 Vaccine Panel: experts explained the operational challenges for players involved in the development, manufacturing, and allocation of COVID-19 vaccines and provided predictions for the future of the vaccine rollout
Mental Health First Aid Certification: students participated in a seminar teaching them to identify and respond to signs of mental health or substance use crises in friends, family and coworkers
Conversation with CEO and Chairman of Virginia Mason Health System: students engaged with Dr. Gary Kaplan as he explained the strategy, vision and culture of his organization within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Design Thinking Workshop with Kaiser Permanente: learn how a health system applies design thinking to service delivery and facility planning
Premera Blue Cross Tour: meet with the leaders of a PNW insurance company to learn about unique challenges and opportunities within the organization
Seattle Children’s Hospital Tour: an opportunity to tour one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country to understand the intersection of patient care, design, and operations
PATH Tour: a tour of the local renowned international health organization to learn more on the various global healthcare issues and in progress solutions
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Tour: a joint tour with the Net Impact Club to learn more about global development and healthcare from one of the largest foundations in the world
Philips Healthcare Manufacturing Tour: a joint tour with the Operations Club to see the Toyota Production System to create hospital/healthcare tools and equipment
Just Biotherapeutics Tour: tour of a local biotechnology company that focuses on scaling and development of biotechnologies
Healthcare and Biotechnology Association Networking and Social Event: annual student and alumni event to hear about the short- and long-term healthcare opportunities and learnings
Unique Careers in Healthcare Dinner & Panel: dinner with industry professionals to understand that ‘you don’t need a background in healthcare to get into healthcare,’ featuring – SightLife, Northwest Hospital, Novo Nordisk, Village Reach, Safe Flame
Health & Wellness Startup Panel: an evening to understand the various opportunities in healthcare as a startup, featuring the following local companies – Aduro, Arivale, Pillsy
ECG Meet-the-Firm & Consulting Walk: meet with former Foster alums at ECG to understand the world of healthcare consulting
Valuation in Biotechnology with Clifford Stocks: CEO of OncoResponse explains what it takes to evaluate a new biotechnology