MICHELLE PESCE DUPIC
San Francisco,USA
Summary
Results-driven biopharma leader with over 15 years in global drug development and 5 years in alliance management. Leads complex partnerships and aligns stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives. Establishes governance frameworks, translates contractual obligations into actionable plans, and resolves alliance challenges. Develops emerging talent through strategic initiatives and fosters portfolio-wide alliance familiarity.
Overview
1
1
Certification
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships
Pfizer
09.2026 - Current
- Set strategic direction and built cross-company alignment during a high-uncertainty partnering period with multiple stakeholders.
- Guided executive decision-making on high-risk external and development topics with clear framing and risk management.
- Re-established cross-company alignment and information flow after governance breakdowns, enabling forward planning and commercial forecasting.
- Supported annual budget governance by aligning assumptions and contractual considerations to enhance scenario planning.
- Managed a Pfizer Futures intern and provided dotted-line leadership to a Growth-Gig colleague, guiding project scope, alliance responsibilities, and professional development.
- Led Strategic Partnerships Dashboard and quarterly leadership reviews, fostering portfolio-wide understanding of alliance structures, lifecycle stages, and key inflection points.
- Lead day-to-day alliance management, including the Velocity co-investment partnerships, and as the single point of contact, advance joint goals and deliverables while maintaining strong partner relationships.
- Design and run joint governance (JSC/JDC/JXC and working teams) and ensure internal alignment prior to joint decisions.
- Establish and evolve collaboration operating norms (communication pathways, decision rights, charters, escalation routes) to keep joint teams aligned and accountable.
- Translate contract terms into practical guidance: track obligations/deliverables, surface risks early, and partner with Legal/Corporate Development to resolve contract issues and set appropriate boundaries.
- Identified and resolved conflicts while coordinating with stakeholders to facilitate prompt solutions.
- Aligned investors, business development, and cross-functional stakeholders to integrate product and company goals with alliance operating principles.
- Previously Director, Strategic Partnerships
Associate Director, Alliance Management
Seagen
09.2021 - 12.2023
- Oversaw joint governance forums (e.g., joint development committees) to ensure execution against joint strategy and adherence to milestones and decision timelines.
- Facilitated cross-company issue resolution and conflict management at executive and working-team levels, preserving collaboration health and maintaining project momentum.
- Advised internal and joint teams on contractual obligations and boundaries to enable compliant, efficient decision-making and execution.
- Coordinated inputs across multiple functions and partner organizations to support timely and effective regulatory submissions.
Director, Alliance Management
Arcus Biosciences
01.2021 - 09.2021
- Supported partner option evaluations by preparing data packages, planning diligence activities, and managing data rooms to facilitate informed decision-making.
- Managed joint development committees to achieve collaboration objectives with defined decision points, comprehensive inputs, and effective follow-through.
Principal Program Manager (Drug Development)
Genentech, Inc.
10.2013 - 01.2021
- Managed multiple molecules across pre-clinical through Phase II with >20-person teams; owned integrated plans, timelines, decision frameworks, and portfolio inputs.
- Led third-party diligence team, contributing to $1B+ partnership through joint research, development, and commercial obligations.
- Initiated and supported >40-person joint project team, establishing governance cadence, decision rights, and collaboration mechanisms to enhance project alignment.
- Developed and delivered executive-ready workshops and decision support, translating complex science and operations into actionable options for stakeholders.
- Commercial rotations in Market Analysis & Strategy and Access Marketing, supporting launch readiness and payer value proposition development for oncology brands.
Operations Rotational Development Program
Genentech
08.2011 - 10.2013
- Completed rotations in procurement/sourcing, biologics strategy, and finance as Manufacturing Operations Analyst in leadership development program.
Education
Master of Bioscience (MBS) - Business of Bioscience
Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences (KGI)
Claremont, CABachelor of Science - Biology, Minor in Biotechnology
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CASkills
- Alliance leadership
- Joint governance design
- Contract management
- Risk management
- Budget governance
- Cross-functional alignment
- Business strategy
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Negotiation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Relationship building
- Executive Communication
- Coaching and mentoring
- Dispute management
- Continuous improvement
- Alliance management best practices
Certification
- Business Development Fundamentals Course, BIO Executive Training Programs
- Strategic Decision Analysis & Risk Management Certificate, Stanford Center for Professional Development
- 2013-19 Project Management Professional (PMP)
Interests
Heritage Cuisine, Running & Fitness, Community Building
Timeline
Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships
Pfizer
09.2026 - Current
Associate Director, Alliance Management
Seagen
09.2021 - 12.2023
Director, Alliance Management
Arcus Biosciences
01.2021 - 09.2021
Principal Program Manager (Drug Development)
Genentech, Inc.
10.2013 - 01.2021
Operations Rotational Development Program
Genentech
08.2011 - 10.2013
Bachelor of Science - Biology, Minor in Biotechnology
Santa Clara University
Master of Bioscience (MBS) - Business of Bioscience
Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences (KGI)
Polaris Illumination Award for Vepdegestrant Strategic Alignment
Recipient of Pfizer R&D Polaris Award for “Vepdegestrant Alliance Management Alignment.” Demonstrated the power of leading with clarity and purpose, while navigating a key alliance partnership during a time of change and in a rapidly evolving landscape.