Leen Kawas, Ph.D., PharmSci.

Leen Kawas is a pioneering biotechnology executive and investor who has established herself as a voice in life sciences innovation and diversity advocacy. Kawas also serves as co-founder and Managing General Partner of Los Angeles-based Propel Bio Partners, an investment firm that supports early-stage biotechnology companies. The firm, which she established in 2021 with major investor Richard Kane, provides financial backing and technical expertise to emerging life sciences innovators, particularly supporting women- and minority-owned businesses.

Previously, Kawas co-founded and was the Chief Executive Officer of Athira Pharma, Inc. Under her leadership, she advanced multiple drug development programs through clinical trials and successfully took the company public in September 2020, raising over $400 million. This achievement made her the first woman in 20 years in Washington State to lead a company through an initial public offering. She was one of only 22 women founders in the United States to accomplish this milestone at the time.

Throughout her career, Kawas has championed a "patient-centric" approach to drug development and has been a vocal advocate for increased diversity in clinical trials and biotechnology leadership. She serves on the boards of multiple companies, including Inherent Biosciences and Persephone Biosciences.

Her contributions to the industry have earned numerous accolades, including the Life Science Entrepreneurial Achievement Award (2020), recognition as a French-American Foundation Leader (2019), and GeekWire Startup CEO of the Year (2019). Kawas lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children, where she continues advocating for innovative research and supporting the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs. Kawas received her pharmacy degree from the University of Jordan before immigrating to the US, where she received a PhD in pharmacology from Washington State University.