Skip to content

Staff

NCBIO President Laura Gunter

Laura Gunter

President

Laura Gunter leads the North Carolina Life Sciences Organization as its president and directs the work of the life science advocacy association in conjunction with its Executive Committee and Board of Directors. NCLifeSci promotes policy initiatives that encourage the growth and success of life science companies doing business in the state by advocating for the industry before the NC General Assembly and the NC Congressional delegation. She works closely with state and federal partners on the advocacy and policy front.

Before becoming president, Gunter served as NCLifeSci’s membership development and government affairs director where she recruited new members to the organization; created forums, meetings and networking events for members; and coordinated outreach to state and federal legislators.

Before joining NCLifeSci, Gunter served as business development director for NCBiotech and as a technical sales representative for Fisher Scientific. She received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Virginia and earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Natacha Janvier

Natacha Janvier

Member Services Director

As director of member services, Natacha Janvier handles member recruitment, retention, sponsorships and general services for NCLifeSci members.

Janvier came to NCLifeSci from Eva Garland Consulting where she was the business development coordinator. Before that, she was with NCCU’s BRITE for more than 14 years as a senior academic adviser and science recruiter. She also spent more than seven years as a scientist at GSK. She holds a bachelor's degree from Grambling State University and a master's degree in zoology from Michigan State University.

Amber Niebauer

Amber Niebauer

Events Director

Amber Niebauer coordinates and directs NCLifeSci’s events and networking opportunities for our members. She oversees event planning, including developing topics and securing speakers for the forums, Annual Meeting and Legislative Reception.

Niebauer previously served as a program and resource development manager at the NC Biotechnology Center. She holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry and an MBA in Health Care Management from East Carolina University.

David Etchison

David Etchison

Communications Director

David Etchison is responsible for NCBIO's communications efforts, including its marketing, website, social media and email. He has more than 25 years of experience in communications, public relations and marketing.

Etchison served as director of communications for the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for 15 years and handled email marketing for PBS North Carolina before joining NCBIO. He also previously worked for East Carolina University. He holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bill Monteith

Bill Monteith

Program Manager, Biotech Manufacturers Forum

Bill Monteith works with biomanufacturing companies and affiliate organizations in sharing knowledge and best practices that engage and facilitate the development of new and innovative ways to support business. He also works with the education partners in the NCBioImpact training program to ensure that the companies have access to trained workers as they expand sites or replace retiring workers.

Monteith retired as chief operating officer of Stride Bio and, prior to that, he served as executive vice president technical operations and senior vice president U.S. manufacturing for Cellectis, chief operating officer of Hitachi Chemical Advanced Therapeutic Solutions and executive vice president technical operations for Dendreon. He has also held leadership positions in operations and manufacturing, MSAT/technical services and quality operations at Wyeth and Shire. Monteith has overseen the construction of and served as site head of at least six solid dose and biotech facilities.

Monteith holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. Lawrence University.

 

Alex Caruso

Alexandra Caruso

Office Manager and Executive Assistant

Alexandra "Alex" Caruso is the office manager for NCLifeSci and executive assistant to the president.

Caruso came to NCLifeSci from Employee Benefits Management Group where she spent nearly two years as a client engagement specialist handling the implementation of benefit programs. Prior to that, she worked for more than three years at MED-EL, a hearing implant company, first as a reimbursement representative and then as operations coordinator. Caruso studied journalism at Ohio University.