Susan O’Connor

Susan O’Connor is an accomplished executive with progressive and diversified experience in the biotechnology sector. With more than 30 years of experience in human resources and corporate communications, she has made significant contributions in launching, building, and leading companies from the initial startup phase and scaling through commercialization. Her expertise includes strategic recruitment and selection of executive leadership teams as well as board evolution, IPO planning and execution, merger and acquisitions, and overall expansion of company operations which includes establishing the culture and driving high-level engagement.

Prior to joining Beam, Susan created O’Connor & Associates, a strategic human resources consulting firm, in 2008. She successfully partnered with several venture capital firms, notably Third Rock Ventures and Arch Ventures, launching more than 20 early-stage biotech companies and acting as the interim chief human resources officer and executive team member for Blueprint Medicines, Fulcrum Therapeutics, Orbital Therapeutics, Prime Medicines, Relay Therapeutics, Voyager Therapeutics, etc. Prior to launching O’Connor & Associates, Susan was Vice President, Human Resources at Johnson & Johnson, where she served as a board member for several operating companies within the medical devices sector of the company, including DePuy (now referred to as DePuy Synthes Companies).

Ms. O’Connor holds a bachelor’s degree from Providence College, is active with several non-profit organizations. She is a member of the board of advisors for Life Science Cares, is co-chair of the CEO Forum’s Biotech@Work Committee, and a member of the Forbes Human Resources Council.