Dr. Richard L. Watkins, Phd, founder, chairman, and executive officer the science action policy action network, inc.
Dr. Richard L. Watkins is a scientist, strategist, and advocate working at the intersection of research, policy, and society. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of the Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), where he is responsible for setting the organization’s overall direction and service strategy. He leads the development of SPAN’s consulting offerings and operational infrastructure, with a focus on impact across education, innovation, and public health.
Dr. Watkins holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S. in Psychology from Fayetteville State University. His scientific background informs a systems-level approach to policy advising and program design, particularly in areas such as school safety, mental health, and science-based governance.
A dynamic communicator and bridge-builder, Dr. Watkins also hosts The Richard Watkins Podcast, a platform for thought leaders across disciplines. His work continues to shape public conversations and institutional strategies through science, equity, and community engagement.
MK Gamble J.D., M.A., Chief Operating Officer the science action policy action network, inc.
“MK” Gamble is an attorney, policy strategist, and bioethics expert whose career spans law, healthcare, government affairs, and cross-sector consulting. As Chief Operating Officer of SPAN, she brings an interdisciplinary lens to the organization’s work at the intersection of public policy, ethics, and innovation.
MK has served in leadership roles across state government, industry, and the nonprofit sector. Her experience includes serving as Assistant Counsel to the Illinois House of Representatives, where she advised multiple legislative committees on housing, insurance, and environmental policy. She also held senior roles in the public and private sectors, including Public Policy Lead for Airbnb in Chicago and Legislative Liaison for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Her legal practice is complemented by deep expertise in health law and bioethics. She began her career as a pharmacy prosecutor and later served as a clinical bioethicist at leading institutions including the Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University Hospital, and The MetroHealth System. Her work has helped shape research ethics policy and patient protections across hospital systems and institutional review boards.
MK holds a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law, a Master’s degree in Bioethics from Case Western Reserve University, and undergraduate degrees in International Business, Business Law, and Marketing from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
With a focus on compliance, equity, and ethical leadership, MK brings systems-level thinking and operational clarity to SPAN’s mission of advancing science and policy for the public good.
our Board:
Dr. Richard L. Watkins, Phd, founder, chairman, and executive officer the science action policy action network, inc.
Dr. Richard L. Watkins is a scientist, strategist, and advocate working at the intersection of research, policy, and society. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of the Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), where he is responsible for setting the organization’s overall direction and service strategy. He leads the development of SPAN’s consulting offerings and operational infrastructure, with a focus on impact across education, innovation, and public health.
Dr. Watkins holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S. in Psychology from Fayetteville State University. His scientific background informs a systems-level approach to policy advising and program design, particularly in areas such as school safety, mental health, and science-based governance.
A dynamic communicator and bridge-builder, Dr. Watkins also hosts The Richard Watkins Podcast, a platform for thought leaders across disciplines. His work continues to shape public conversations and institutional strategies through science, equity, and community engagement.
Thomas Freeman, PhD, Associate Vice Provost, Academic Programs, University of Southern California
Dr. Thomas Freeman is an accomplished higher education leader with a career dedicated to expanding access and equity in STEM. He currently serves as Associate Vice Provost at the University of Southern California (USC), where he leads initiatives designed to create diverse pathways into the technology ecosystem. His work focuses on ensuring that students from historically underserved and underrepresented backgrounds have the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive in academic and professional settings.
Before joining USC, Dr. Freeman was an award-winning educator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played a central role in designing and directing nationally recognized programs that foster student success in science and technology. He holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Tulane University. His postdoctoral research at UNC’s School of Medicine focused on protein interactions involved in cancer therapeutics, reflecting a longstanding commitment to scientific advancement.
A passionate advocate for educational equity, Dr. Freeman continues to shape programs and policies that elevate students and institutions alike through innovation, research, and inclusive leadership.
Gil Golden, MD, PhD, Executive Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer, United Therapeutics Corporation
Dr. Golden has demonstrated leadership within the biopharma industry for over two decades, overseeing numerous functions, including product development, research and educational grants, medical education and information, pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, corporate project management, business development, and corporate compliance, among others. Throughout this time, his work in the US and globally has maintained a strong focus on preclinical through phase IV drug, device, and biologics development. Much of this product development work was executed through government, foundation, university, and industry partnerships designed to address unmet medical needs and/or to improve a product’s efficacy or safety profile, while expanding access of medicine to expanded patient populations. At the present time, he contributes strategically to all phases of product development and has oversight of the Company's support of approximately three dozen innovative investigator-sponsored studies.
Prior to joining United Therapeutics, Dr. Golden has held executive positions with Guilford Pharmaceuticals, Pharmion Corporation, and Azur Pharma. Dr. Golden obtained his graduate degree in neuroendocrinology from the University of Pittsburgh and his pre- and post–graduate medical training from the Medical College of Pennsylvania.
He has authored numerous peer–reviewed papers on medical education and various aspects of drug development, spanning the molecular level to global multi–center randomized clinical trials.
Teresa Monteiro, Founder and Chief Executive Officer The Wishes Company
Teresa Monteiro is a business strategist and executive advisor with over two decades of experience leading growth across global markets. She is the Founder and CEO of The Wishes Company, a premier corporate gifting and concierge service that combines business excellence with social impact by employing individuals with disabilities to produce personalized, high-quality gifts using locally sourced products.
Teresa’s career spans leadership roles in marketing, commercial operations, and product management. She has consistently delivered results across the private and public sectors, including during her tenure at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where she led initiatives at the intersection of scientific product development and strategic market expansion. Her expertise includes business development, e-commerce, data analytics, and the implementation of AI-driven solutions to enhance customer experience and organizational performance.
Teresa holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and has built a reputation for scaling businesses, mentoring emerging talent, and translating complex challenges into practical, high-impact strategies. Her ability to lead cross-functional, multicultural teams and bring clarity to operational complexity has made her a trusted voice in innovation and growth strategy.
With a deep commitment to inclusive leadership and customer-centered design, Teresa continues to create solutions that are both commercially viable and socially meaningful.