Lesa Mitchell is vice president of the Kauffman Foundation’s initiatives focused on advancing innovation. In this capacity, Mitchell’s responsibility is to identify programmatic or policy levers that can 
accelerate invention and innovation. Under Mitchell’s leadership, the Foundation is defining and codifying alternative commercialization pathways, and identifying new models to foster innovation. Mitchell was instrumental in the founding of the Kauffman Innovation Network/ iBridge Network, the Translational Medicine Alliance, the National Academies-based University–Industry Partnership, and leader in the replication of innovator-based mentor programs across the United States. In addition, Mitchell serves on the board of the Regenerative Medicine Foundation.
Prior to joining Kauffman, Mitchell spent twenty years of her career in global executive roles at Aventis, Quintiles, and Marion Laboratories and ran an electronic clinical trials consulting business in support of global pharmaceutical clients.
