Speaking
ROD COTTON
Board Member and Venture Partner, public and private biotech and healthcare companies
Former SVP and Head of Strategy & Transformation of Roche Diagnostics ($4B)
RODNEY COTTON is a passionate and entrepreneurial board member, venture partner, and adviser who contributes his commercial, industry, operations, and laboratory expertise to public, private, and start-up biotech and tech-driven healthcare companies. He is known for his holistic perspective, bias for action in the face of challenges, and commitment to agile processes.
Rod is currently an independent director and member of the Audit and Compensation committees of Castle Biosciences (Nasdaq: CSTL), a diagnostic testing company focused on skin cancer, gastrointestinal and mental health conditions; venture partner to 2Flo Ventures, a VC-backed healthcare and health equity accelerator; and board member of three private companies: Eisai Pharmaceuticals, a research and development pharma company specializing in neurology and oncology medicines; Moleculera Biosciences, a precision medicine company focused on immune-mediated neuropsychiatric disorders; and Orchard Software, a private equity-backed laboratory information system (LIS) software company. He is also an advisory board member to General Genomics, a predictive analytics and data curation company.
Previously, Rod built a robust career at Roche Diagnostics, the North American headquarters of the world's largest ($17B) diagnostics company, that spanned more than two decades and culminated in the role of SVP, Head of Strategy & Transformation, and Chief of Staff to the CEO.
With 40+ years of executive experience, Rod drove the financial turnaround and cultural transformation of four global healthcare companies, led teams of up to 280 total reports, and managed P&L of more than $1 billion. He also served as a key member of the senior leadership team executing Roche’s most significant restructuring in two decades and led key enterprise initiatives for the $4B company, such as milestone corporate communications, health equity coalitions, the US/Roche Group audit, and global/US acquisition integrations.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rod and his team at Roche accelerated six ground-breaking products in 11 months, including the first launch of the market's most accurate and in-demand molecular diagnostic test. He also solved extraordinary challenges of product scarcity, supply chain, product allocation, and logistics to achieve accelerated global sourcing and self-manufacturing in line with testing guidelines.
A frequent public speaker, Rod was named among the Most Influential Corporate Directors and Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America by Savoy Magazine, Top Blacks in Healthcare by BlackDoctor.org, and 100 Black Board Members Making a Difference by BoardProspects. He received The Sagamore of the Wabash Award, one of the highest Indiana State honors, bestowed by Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb.
Rod holds an M.B.A. from California State University, Dominguez Hills, an M.S. in Strategic Management from the University of Southern California, and a B.A. in Biological Sciences & Technology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He has also attended the M&A Executive Program at Harvard Business School and the Director’s Consortium Executive Program at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Best videos of Rod speaking
Keynotes & Talks
The Leverage Network - Healthcare BOARD INITIATIVE (HcBI)
The Healthcare Board Initiative (HcBI) by The Leverage Network is a six-month executive development program designed to prepare Black C-suite healthcare leaders for governance roles. The curriculum encompasses governance best practices, strategic leadership, financial acumen, and industry complexities. Participants benefit from mentorship with seasoned board directors, strategic networking opportunities, and exclusive resources like boardroom simulations and case studies. HcBI aims to foster diversity and inclusion in corporate leadership, equipping executives with the tools to advocate for change and secure board positions in the healthcare sector.
Termeer Institute
The Termeer Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering a global community of life science innovators through values-driven leadership development, mentorship, and network-building. Inspired by the legacy of Henri Termeer, former CEO of Genzyme, the Institute supports first-time biotech CEOs, academic leaders, and STEM-focused students via its fellows, scholars, and student grant programs. By fostering responsible, patient-centered leadership, the Termeer Institute aims to accelerate the development of life-changing treatments and ensure that scientific breakthroughs translate into real-world cures for patients worldwide.
The Just Society
The JUST Society is a professional organization dedicated to empowering Black executives in the biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, and life sciences industries. Founded in 2022 and inspired by the legacy of pioneering biologist Dr. Ernest Everett Just, the organization aims to significantly increase the representation of Black men in C-suite roles and on corporate boards. Through initiatives focused on education, mentorship, professional development, access to capital, and strategic partnerships, The JUST Society fosters a supportive and inclusive community that promotes leadership, innovation, and generational wealth within the life sciences sector.
Minority Engineering Program of Indianapolis (MEPI)
The Minority Engineering Program of Indianapolis (MEPI), established in 1986, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing minority student participation and success in STEM fields, with a focus on engineering and information technology. Through hands-on programs for students in grades 6-12 — including robotics, coding, and college readiness workshops — MEPI fosters academic excellence and career exploration. The organization boasts a strong track record: over 620 program graduates, with 90% pursuing college education and 40% entering STEM careers. MEPI also hosts events like its annual golf outing to support scholarships and student programming.
National Black Accounting Association (NABA)
The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA, Inc.) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to advancing Black professionals in accounting, finance, business, and entrepreneurship. Founded in 1969, NABA serves over 22,000 members nationwide, providing education, resources, and career connections to both professionals and students. Guided by its mission to "lift as we climb," NABA focuses on five core pillars: engage, empower, educate, enhance, and elevate. Through programs like the Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP), scholarships, leadership development institutes, and CPA exam support, NABA works to bridge the opportunity gap and foster inclusive excellence in the business world.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Its mission is to end Alzheimer's and all other dementias by accelerating global research, promoting risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Serving over 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer's and nearly 12 million caregivers, the Association operates nationwide through local chapters, including one in New York City. As the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research, the Association is committed to advancing treatments and ultimately finding a cure. Additionally, they advocate for public policy changes and work to ensure equitable access to care for all communities.
100 Black Men
The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1963 in New York City, dedicated to improving the quality of life within African American communities and enhancing educational and economic opportunities. With over 10,000 members across more than 100 chapters globally, the organization focuses on mentoring, education, health and wellness, economic empowerment, and leadership development. Signature initiatives include the Collegiate 100 and Emerging 100 programs, which engage college students and young professionals in mentorship and community service. Through scholarships, youth academies, and community outreach, the 100 Black Men of America aims to empower the next generation of leaders and foster positive change in underserved communities.
