Chairman & President, Stem for Life Foundation
Dr. Robin L. Smith is recognized as a global thought leader, top medical expert and entrepreneur in one of the fastest growing segments of modern-day medicine –cell therapy research. First as a founder and CEO of NeoStem (NASDAQ: NBS), a leading developer of cell therapy and as the visionary behind the Stem for Life Foundation (SFLF), Dr. Smith has been able to combine her deep passion for science, entrepreneurism and philanthropy with great success and in the process, has become a key leader in advancing regenerative medicine and in turn, transforming the medical industry.
Being able to give hope for a better quality of life and longer life for so many people living with serious diseases is the driving factor behind Dr. Smith’s relentless efforts to raise global awareness about regenerative medicine. She also believes that this will rationalize health care costs while improving clinical outcomes for patients.
A powerful champion for the need to advance the process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs, Dr. Smith thinks big. As Founder, Chairman of the board and President of the Stem for Life, a Cura Foundation, her work has led to a historic, first-of-its-kind partnership with the Vatican, which has which has raised millions of dollars to educate the world on the progress of regenerative medicine and catalyze the development and distribution of cell therapies.
At NeoStem, Dr. Smith pioneered the company’s innovative business model, combining proprietary cell therapy development and manufacturing. She raised $225 million, completed six acquisitions and one divestiture while the company won an array of industry awards including ranking #11 nationally, on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™, and Frost & Sullivan’s North American Cell Therapeutics Technology Innovation Leadership Award. She also sits on multiple public, private and not-for profit boards including Signal Genetics (SGNL), MYnd Analytics (CNSO), Rockewell (RMTI) Medical and Bioxcel Corp and served as the past Chairman of the Board of the Hospital for Joint Diseases, a trustee of the NYU Langone Medical School and Medical Center and currently sits on the board of overseers of the NYU Langone Medical Center.
Dr. Smith writes regularly for the Huffington Post and has co-written a book on the subject. Speaking as only a true visionary can, she titled the last book: The Healing Cell: How the Greatest Revolution in Medical History is Changing Your Life and is coming out with a second book expected out in September called Cells Without Borders. Dr. Smith earned her M.D. from Yale University and her M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business.