Bay Area Lyme Foundation Names New Executive Director

PORTOLA VALLEY, CA — The Bay Area Lyme Foundation announced on June 28 that it has named a new executive director, who started their career as a journalist but went on to work for life science and healthcare companies.

The Bay Area Lyme Foundation has hired Josh Wein as the new executive director of the organization, which is a leading sponsor of U.S. Lyme disease research.

“Josh is the right leader for Bay Area Lyme Foundation as we enter this exciting new chapter,” said Bonnie Crater, founder and co-chair of the Board of Directors of Bay Area Lyme Foundation. “With his talent as a storyteller and passion for our mission, he will inspire the next significant advancements in Lyme disease medical research.”

Wein will take over for Linda Giampa, who joined the Board of Directors.

“[Giampa] will bring her 12 years of experience in successfully growing the foundation’s operations to the board,” a press release said.

Wein has a background in biotechnology and life science communications with a track record of helping organizations raise funds. He spent the last 10 years guiding life sciences and healthcare companies such as Delfi Diagnostics, Commure and Guardant Health where he helped with multiple $100 million-plus financing rounds.

He started his career working for the San Francisco Examiner as a reporter, which he said will help him elevate the next phase of Lyme disease research with an awareness of challenges and misunderstood experiences of Lyme patients.

“The global impact of acute and chronic Lyme has never been more apparent, yet very little money is invested in new diagnostics and treatments relative to other disease areas,” Wein said. “I am inspired by BAL’s prescient and consistent approach to bringing more resources to the field through direct research grants and the Lyme Disease Biobank, and I’m honored the board has trusted me to lead BAL’s next chapter.”

Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne infectious disease in the US, is a potentially disabling infection caused by bacteria transmitted through infected tick bites to people and pets.