September 12, 2013 | DIA announced today that Barbara Lopez Kunz has begun leading the organization as global chief executive. Kunz brings worldwide leadership experience to DIA as former president of the Global Health and Life Sciences business at Battelle, an international science and technology nonprofit organization that explores emerging areas of science, develops and commercializes technology, and manages laboratories.

 

“DIA is excited to have Barbara now leading the way and utilizing her international knowledge and leadership skills to ensure that DIA remains the global forum fostering innovation to raise the level of health and well-being worldwide,” DIA President Minnie Baylor-Henry said in a statement. “Barbara has a remarkably successful track record of growing businesses that are based on innovation in science and technology and implementing globally effective strategies, and we are looking forward to her leadership and guidance.”

 

In her role with Battelle, Kunz transformed the Global Health and Life Sciences business through strategic investments, alliance development and technology commercialization, increasing the number of research collaborations with industrial, government and academic sponsors. She has also held senior roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific (formerly Fisher Scientific International), Croda International (formerly ICI), DuPont and PPG Industries, after starting her career as a research scientist.

 

A leader on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, she has presided over the board of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and is a trustee of both The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and BioOhio, the statewide organization stimulating economic development in the bioscience community. Kunz is a member of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Ohio chapter advisory board.

 

“I am excited to begin leading DIA into its 50th year, and build upon nearly a half century of momentum in advancing innovation worldwide. The foundation is in place to apply my knowledge of patient needs and the health care community and to fortify DIA’s significant role in transferring vital information across the globe,” Kunz said.