Guiding Our Mission to Advance Brain Cancer Research

Felix Hsu

 Felix Hsu currently consults with Private Equity on cell and gene therapy manufacturing. Prior to this, he founded and was President of a new division of WuXi AppTec: WuXi Advanced Therapies, a cell and gene therapy contract and development manufacturing organization headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Felix has over 30 years of experience in the life sciences industry, and has held executive and senior positions at WuXi AppTec and Medtronic. 

Becky Hsu

Becky serves as a board member and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Brain Cancer Research Alliance, bringing her experience and strategic vision to drive operational excellence and sustainable growth. With a proven track record in the consulting industry partnering with clients across sectors and across the globe, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the company's day-to-day operations, optimizing processes, and fostering innovation.

Prior to the Brain Cancer Research Alliance, Becky held key leadership positions, accumulating over 20 years of hands-on experience in the consulting industry. Her leadership style is characterized by a focus on collaboration, fostering a high-performance culture, and implementing effective strategies that align with the company's goals.

 As the COO at the Brain Cancer Research Alliance , Becky continues to lead by example, leveraging her comprehensive expertise to steer the organization toward sustained success, operational excellence, and a forward-thinking approach in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Kate Contreras-Hsu

Kate is a founding member of the Brain Cancer Research Alliance and an integrated healthcare communications professional with over ten years of experience in the life sciences industry. Her specific areas of expertise include collaborating with biotech clients on corporate leadership initiatives, regulatory and data milestone strategy, issues management, executive visibility, and narrative development. She has a passion for science and has worked across a wide variety of therapeutic areas including significant experience in hematology/oncology, neuroscience, and rare diseases. ​

A storyteller at heart, Kate helps drive collaboration across multiple internal and external group functions – including investor relations, advocacy, product marketing, and medical – in leading campaigns that connect to business objectives, establish compelling and relevant press narratives, and achieve quantifiable results. ​

Nolan Hsu

 Nolan Hsu is the co-founder of the Brain Cancer Research Alliance (BCRA), a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating research and innovation in brain cancer treatment. After being diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma at age 30, Nolan underwent successful surgery at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. His experience galvanized him and his family to launch BCRA in 2021 to address the critical funding gaps in brain cancer research.

In addition to his nonprofit work, Nolan has led strategy and operations at several biotechnology companies, including Vor Bio and Finch Therapeutics. He brings deep expertise in enterprise software and in developing processes and functions that support the advancement of novel therapies. His cross-disciplinary experience informs his mission at BCRA: to drive meaningful progress in brain cancer research through both advocacy and strategic innovation. 

 Chris Becker

Chris is currently an independent consultant working with nonprofit healthcare associations.  Prior to this Chris spent 14 years as managing partner and CEO of a software-as-a-service company providing services to nonprofit healthcare associations – Marathon Multimedia; 9 years at a nonprofit healthcare association – the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). as the Chief Business Development Officer  developing mission-centric products and services that optimized resources, membership value and net income; and 10 years in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Lilly Stairs

Lilly Stairs is an internationally recognized patient advocate, serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and sought after speaker.

Her purpose was ignited in a hospital bed after being diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases.

Lilly is the Founder of Patient Authentic, a boutique consultancy that helps healthcare organizations build events and experiences for patient advocates. She is also the Founder of the Chronic Boss Collective, a networking membership for ambitious business women living with chronic conditions designed to help them dream big in their career and prioritize health with no trade-offs.

Lilly serves as the Board Chair of the Autoimmune Association, the world's foremost non-profit leading the fight against autoimmunity and as a Board Member for the Brain Cancer Research Alliance.