Carin Canale-Theakston is president and founder of Canale Communications Inc., where she also serves as the chief culture officer, principal strategist and resident sommelier. Carin is involved at some level with every client, providing communications insights to life science executives and contributing to strategic planning. She founded CanaleComm in 2010 after her tenure as president of the life sciences division of international public relations firm Porter Novelli—and before that, as partner of boutique life sciences firm Atkins & Associates (acquired by Portner Novelli). A sought-after speaker and moderator, Carin serves as vice-chair of the board of directors for San Diego-based Biocom, the largest regional life science association in the world, and co-chairs the Biocom Capital Development Committee. She also is a director of the San Diego Venture Group, where her efforts help bring additional investor capital to San Diego’s early-stage life science companies. Given her prominence in Southern California’s biotech industry, few people realize Carin’s public relations career began in the technology world, working with companies making faster phones and first-generation tablets. But as the tech market was crashing, Carin leapt into the biotech sector, defining her role in an even-more exciting innovation industry. In no time, she was hooked. And it wasn’t just the benevolent biotech mission of saving lives that sparked her passion (although that certainly was part of it). It was the people.