LabVantage Leadership
Champions of digital transformation in lab-centered enterprises around the world
Collaborating with our clients to shape a vision for the Lab of the Future
Mikael Hagstroem
Chief Executive Officer
Mikael brings over 30 years of experience in digital transformation, helping global enterprises harness big data to reimagine their business models and create a long-term sustainable advantage.
As a Partner at McKinsey & Company and Chief Operating Officer of McKinsey Analytics, Mikael helped companies create and scale new business strategies enabled by artificial intelligence (AI). Prior to joining LabVantage, he was CEO and President at MetricStream, where he led its transformation to a SaaS model and championed integration of AI and the launch of its new Integrated Risk Management Platform.
In his 25 years at SAS Institute, Mikael helped build the analytics software leader into a multibillion-dollar enterprise and one of the world’s largest privately held software businesses. He ultimately held the positions of Executive Vice President of SAS and President of SAS International. Mikael is currently on the Board of Advisors of the AI Forum and has served as Chairman of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Data-Driven Development and on the Global Future Council, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU, Executive Committee member of the U.S. Council for International Business, and as an Executive Board member of the Atlantic Council. He is also an Independent Director of Planet Smart City and Executive Chairman of TCG Digital.
Wolf Lichtenstein
President, LabVantage Europe
Wolf joined LabVantage in June 2021 to lead efforts across the European Union. Based in Berlin, he is a performance-driven business leader with a track record of creating a growth culture focused on results, as well as respect, empowerment, diversity, and collaboration.
Previously, Wolf was a partner and senior advisor at McKinsey & Company, EMEA General Manager for C3.ai, and CEO at Webtrekk GmbH. He was also a member of the EMEA board for the SAS Institute, where he was responsible for EUR 250 million and 600 people. A psychologist, computer scientist, and expert in digital transformation and artificial intelligence, Wolf has attended the World Economic Forum five times. He has a Master of Arts degree in psychology from the Universität Augsburg.
Marjut Pokkinen
Managing Director, LabVantage Nordics
Marjut joined LabVantage in 2011 with the acquisition of Software Point. She cofounded Software Point in 1992 with Andrea Holmberg and Raimo Oinas. Software Point has been a partner and exclusive representative in Nordic and Baltic countries for LabVantage since 2000. Prior to her role as Managing Director, Marjut has worked with Software Point’s LIMS products and LabVantage products in various positions at Software Point including project and product management, technical sales support, sales and business management.
She also worked as a research scientist at Finnish biotechnology companies Genesit, Provivo and at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Engineering (RIKEN) in Japan. Marjut has a Master’s and Licentiate of Technology degrees in chemical engineering from the Helsinki University of Technology (today Aalto University).
Michel Gerlicher
President, LabVantage International
Michel oversees LabVantage’s customers outside of North America and Europe. He joined LabVantage in 2014 when we acquired SPLIMS, the company he founded that sold and supported LIMS in the French-speaking regions of the world. Prior to that, he spent 25 years at Thermo Instrument Systems (now Thermo Fisher Scientific) in business development and as President, EMEA. He earned a master’s degree in physical nuclear sciences and mass spectroscopy and a biomedical engineering degree. He also earned a degree in business strategy development and business administration.
Renato Marino
Chief Executive Officer, LabVantage Brazil
Renato brings 21 years of experience of entrepreneurship developing new business, sales, leadership and building high-performance teams.
Before joining LabVantage he was a Business Development as a Sales representative for many multinationals to sell consumables and technology for the mining and metals industry. For 18 years as the founder and CEO from Interfusao, he dedicated to the LIMS sales, implementation and support for ThermoFisher.
He is passionate for integral systemic coaching, human behavior, high performance and technology.
Renato graduated in Mechatronic Engineer, has an MBA at FGV and University of California Irvine. He is also certificated in Master Coaching, Behavioral Profile DISC and Leadership Training.
Klaus Heumann
General Manager, LabVantage Biomax GmbH
Klaus contributed to the field of bioinformatics over the past 30 years, taking multiple positions as researcher, manager and executive. Klaus studied computer science with a minor in microbiology and genetics at the Technical University of Munich delivering his diploma thesis in 1993. He also holds a diploma degree in political science from the HfP Munich. In 1996, Klaus received the Heinz Billing Prize of the Max Planck Society for his work on “Identification and visualization of duplications in the yeast genome”. In 1997 he received his PhD from the Technical University of Munich. His research work related to data management, computational interpretation of biological data and methods for functional sequence analysis, resulted in co-authorship in more than a dozen publications in Nature and Science. Klaus is passionate about advancing technology through interdisciplinary, innovative teams.
Evan Psaropoulos
Chief Financial Officer
Evan brings more than 20 years of experience across a diverse background including finance, strategy, investment banking and accounting. Evan began his career in public accounting at PwC in the audit practice. He later joined Credit Suisse in the Technology, Media and Telecom Investment Banking Group. He has also held several finance leadership roles across both public and private companies and in both mature companies as well as early-stage high growth businesses.
He joins us from Voyager Digital a publicly traded financial services company where he served as CFO and Chief Commercial Officer. Evan earned his bachelor’s degree from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio and his M.B.A. from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He is also a CPA.
Florence Penhouet Grosso
Senior Vice President LabVantage International
Florence joined LabVantage in 2014 with the acquisition of SPLIMS. As part of its original management team, she was instrumental in building the SPLIMS business, effectively managing both sales and operations and actively developing the French, Moroccan, and Canadian divisions. She has more than 20 years of experience in the LIMS industry and has worked for Beckman Coulter and Autoscribe LIMS in France. She has a double competence Master’s Degree in Génie Physiologique and Biotechnologique et Informatique from Poitiers University.
Bob Voelkner
Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Americas
Prior to joining LabVantage in 2009, Mr. Voelkner was Americas Sales Manager for the LIMS division of Applied Biosystems. Previously, he spent seven years in a number of sales leadership positions at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Informatics and Services division. He started his career at Beckman Coulter, Inc. as a senior software developer working on LIMS and chromatography data systems, progressing to Director of Global Sales and Marketing of its Laboratory Automation Operations division. He is a graduate of the University of Scranton with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Matt Grulke
Chief Technology Officer
Matt brings 25 years of experience in the software development and information technology markets to his role at LabVantage. This includes over 13 years with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s LIMS, SDMS, and CDS businesses where he held several leadership positions in R&D, Product Management, Marketing, and Professional Services. He gained extensive experience in software development, software architecture, project management, and technology leadership while employed at GlaxoSmithKline, Nationwide Financial, and Corporation Service Company. Matt has also spent 9 years serving on non-profit boards focused on STEM education.
Matt has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Delaware, a Master of Science in Information Systems from Drexel University, and a MBA from Drexel University.
Craig Bowie
Chief Customer Officer
Prior to Joining LabVantage in 2002, Craig worked in various Project Management roles and a Customer Enhancement Services Manager position with Beckman Coulter. Here he was responsible for overseeing LIMS installation projects and managing the Technical Consultant teams. He was able to increase the efficiency of the department and revamp their implementation methodology.
Craig started his career as an Analytical Chemist at Schering-Plough Corporation. Craig now has over three decades of strong experience with LIMS installation projects and global team management.
He is a graduate of Villanova University in PA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
John O’Sullivan
Senior Director, Professional Services, Europe
With over 25 years of experience in the life science industry, John is a seasoned professional services leader who leverages AI and data science to deliver innovative and impactful solutions for complex challenges. He leads our Professional Services Organization (PSO) for Europe and oversees the delivery of high-quality services and solutions for LabVantage’s customers across the region and also drives the strategic growth and development of the PSO team, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and customer satisfaction. His core competencies include AI and machine learning, data analytics, digital technologies, team development, business development, program and project management, and partner management.
John joined us form Waters Corporation where he handled a variety of roles and has worked with AGB Scientific and Mason Technology Ltd. He has an M.Sc. in AI, Deep Learning & Data Analytics, Data Science.
He also has a Master’s in Business and Project Management from Kemmy Business School and a BSc from Munster Technological University
Kelly Perry
Chief Legal Officer
Kelly is responsible for LabVantage Global Legal Affairs, including negotiation of customer contracts, legal aspects of our global expansion, providing guidance on Technology licensing, SaaS, Trademarks, labor law, partnerships, corporate finance etc. Kelly comes to us from SAS Institute Inc. where she spent over 19 years supporting global software, services and SaaS deals, providing corporate governance counsel and managing risk.
Kelly earned her law degree at Duke University and has a B.S. of Biology from Wake Forest University
Carla Vandra
Director, Global Customer Support
Bio coming soon.
Neelesh Mirajkar
Senior Director, Global Human Resources
Neelesh brings over 26 years of diverse experience with Fortune 500 as well as mid-size Companies, including at Accenture, Wipro and i-flex solutions (later Oracle Financial Services Software). Prior to joining LabVantage, he was the global HR Head for RCTG vertical of Wipro Technologies and also the HR Head for a location with over 5000 employees. Neelesh has handled a wide diversity of HR areas including Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Succession Planning, Employee Engagement, Performance Management & Recruitment. He is passionate about Change Management, Organizational Development, Competency Mapping, Leadership Training and is a certified SHRM-SCP.
Neelesh received his Master’s degree in Human Resources (from TISS) and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (from DU). He also holds a certificate from Academy of Customer Excellence from Harvard Business School Publishing and was a certified Talent Transformer (CTT) at Wipro.
Prakash Paharia
Controller
Prakash brings over 25 years of diverse experience in finance and accounting roles with Fortune 500 as well as mid-size public and private companies. In many of these roles, Prakash has done significant work supporting international operations. He has a strong background in ERP implementations, internal process improvements, financial audit and transitional financial management.
Prakash has a Master’s Degree in Financial Management from University of Mumbai and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Denise Bell
Director, Product Management
Denise brings over 25 years of laboratory experience and over 13 years of IT experience in the LIMS and LIS sectors with large healthcare systems and Fortune 500 companies, including UPMC, AHN and PPG. Prior to joining LabVantage, she successfully implemented LabVantage LIMS and several healthcare LIS solutions to support executives with their laboratory digital transformation projects. Denise is a certified product manager and holds a BS in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of Pittsburgh
Don DiPalma
Director, Quality
Don brings more than 35+ years of experience in Quality and IT in the Life Sciences industry (Pharmaceutical, Consumer and Medical Device areas) with organizations including Glaxo-SmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), Organon Pharmaceuticals, Enzon, ImClone and Janssen (J&J). Don’s expertise is in Quality Management System, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), computer system validation, and auditing.
While Don started his career in the laboratory, he worked in IT (writing computer programs, validating and implementing computer systems) and in quality (managing and enhancing processes like investigation, CAPA, change control, and auditing). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Alfred University in Alfred, NY.
