Biopharma, tools, diagnostic tests, instruments, technology, and services are essential to advancing research, generating data, understanding biology, and treating patients, increasingly powered by AI and data-driven insights.
They improve health, enhance quality of life, and save lives.
Demand for transformational leadership across these areas has never been more competitive.
We recruit exceptional leaders who shape the trajectory of your business in a rapidly evolving market.
Biopharma, Biotech, Commercial Laboratories, Consumables, Devices, Esoteric Laboratories (e.g. Omics, Molecular), Equipment, Analytical Instruments, IVD, Laboratory Services, Life Sciences Tools, MedTech, Medical Device, Pathology, Therapeutics, CRO, and CDMO services.
Rising costs and reimbursement pressures are squeezing margins across healthcare. To stay ahead, companies need leaders who can unlock new revenue streams and drive oversized growth.
At Alder Brooks, we recruit executives who lead through complexity—and turn it into a competitive advantage.
Whether you're building for early traction, scaling a growth platform, or expanding within a health system, we deliver leaders equipped to drive growth in healthcare’s most challenging environments.
Behavioral Health, Health Plans (Payers), Digital Health, Health Systems (Hospitals & IDNs), Healthcare Technology, Home Health, Infusion, Inpatient & Outpatient Clinics.
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Director and Sr. Director
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VP and SVP
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Alder Brooks is the only boutique executive search firm led by former CEOs in Life Sciences & Healthcare. Follow for leadership insights and new search announcements across the industry.
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Co-Founder & CEO
Mike is the Co-Founder and CEO of Alder Brooks. He is a seasoned business leader and entrepreneur with a proven track record in commercial leadership, having co-founded Wolf Hill Group (sold to Slone Partners) and served as Chief Commercial Officer at Pathology, Inc.
Before co-founding Alder Brooks, Mike co-founded Wolf Hill Group, a cybersecurity executive search firm that was acquired by Slone Partners in 2022.
Earlier in his career, Mike was the second employee at Slone Partners, where he played a key role in the firm's growth, holding leadership positions including Chief Operating Officer and President of Cybersecurity. He also held VP of Sales roles at LabCorp and Sonic Healthcare and served as Chief Commercial Officer at Pathology, Inc., backed by ABS Capital (sold to LabCorp).
Mike graduated with honors from Le Moyne College, earned an M.A. in Applied Physiology from Columbia University, and completed his MBA at the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California.
He enjoys skiing with his family, swimming, and walking his Bernese Mountain Dogs in the Colorado mountains.
Co-Founder
Stephen is an Advisory Board Member of Alder Brooks and Co-Founder. Stephen was formerly a Senior Managing Director within Blackstone’s advisory business located in New York and London. While at Blackstone Stephen advised the firm's corporate and sovereign clients on acquisitions, divestitures, private capital raises, and financial restructurings. Stephen began his career on Wall Street at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. In 2015 Stephen founded Acabonac Farms, a regenerative agricultural enterprise that works to better the environment and improve animal and human health.
Stephen is a graduate of The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Stephen is married, has three children, enjoys ranching, traveling and playing blackjack.
Managing Director
Diagnostics
Patty Sipes is a seasoned executive leader and strategist with over 30 years of experience driving growth, operational excellence, and organizational transformation across the healthcare, diagnostics, and life sciences sectors. Recognized by Top 100 Magazine as a Top Innovator and Entrepreneur, Patty brings a proven record of success as a CEO, CCO, and consultant to both private equity-backed and publicly traded organizations.
Her career includes executive leadership at Incyte Diagnostics, Inform Diagnostics, and PAML, as well as founding and leading Esoteric Lab Consultants — a strategic advisory firm specializing in business turnarounds, infrastructure optimization, and M&A readiness. Patty is known for her ability to assess leadership dynamics, identify growth opportunities, and match top talent with organizations positioned for transformation.
At Alder Brooks, Patty leverages her extensive C-suite experience and deep understanding of healthcare, diagnostics, and technology-driven businesses to advise clients on executive search, leadership alignment, and commercial strategy. She brings a unique blend of analytical precision, emotional intelligence, and integrity — ensuring every placement strengthens both the leadership team and the organization’s long-term success.
Managing Director
Interim Leadership Solutions
Colleen leads Alder Brooks’ interim and fractional leadership practice, partnering with life sciences and healthcare organizations to deliver experienced executives at critical inflection points. She connects companies with proven leaders on a flexible, on-demand basis—supporting growth, transformation, and leadership continuity when timing is essential. A seasoned executive search and talent strategy leader, Colleen brings deep experience across life sciences and healthcare organizations, with a track record of aligning leadership with business outcomes through interim, fractional, and permanent solutions.
Executive Search Consultant
Holly Smith is an experienced executive search consultant with over a decade of experience supporting life sciences companies from early-stage through commercialization. She specializes in partnering with founders, CEOs, andinvestors to deliver targeted search strategies for leadership roles that require deep scientific fluency and industry expertise.
Her career includes executive search leadership at Slone Partners, founding her own boutique firm, Holly Smith Strategic Search, and earlier sales and product leadership roles at Charles River Laboratories. This combination of operating experience and search expertise gives her a strong understanding of the full drug development lifecycle and the talent required to build and scale high-performing teams.
At Alder Brooks, Holly focuses on executing retained searches for high-growth life sciences companies, bringing a high-touch, consultative approach to each engagement. She is particularly experienced in biopharma and AI-driven business models, strengthening the firm’s ability to support clients building teams in complex and emerging areas of the industry.
Holly holds an MBA with a specialization in Health Care Administration from Rivier University and is a Lean Six Sigma White Belt.
Board Advisor
Tim Johnson has over 25 years experience of combined healthcare private equity, M&A and financial advisory experience. He has been an active investor and board member and led the growth in numerous healthcare companies including: Horizon Infusions, LabConnect Inc., BioInformatics Inc., Pathology Inc. (exited), DrugScan, Inc. and DSI Medical Services (exited), and DCL Medical Laboratories (exited).
Tim has been a Partner at BroadOak Capital, was a co-founder of Mt. Weather Capital, and founding partner of England & Company. Previously, he was an investment banker at Salomon Smith Barney, CIBC World Markets, and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. and began his career as a CPA at Arthur Andersen.
Tim earned a B.S. in Accounting (magna cum laude) and M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Maryland.
Board Advisor
Ms. Vicki DiFrancesco is an influential leader in the laboratory industry and was formerly responsible for building and executing XiFiN’s corporate business development strategies including acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships that advance company growth. She remains a Strategic Advisor for XiFiN after retiring in 2022 and now is also a Board Advisor for Alder Brooks.
Ms DiFrancesco was appointed as the first member of US HealthTek’s Advisory Board in March 2023 and a Non Executive Board Director for SpeeDx in September 2023.
Prior to XIFIN, Vicki served as President and CEO of Pathology Inc., the west coast’s premier women’s health laboratory that was acquired by LabCorp in March 2016. Previously, DiFrancesco was Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Spectrum Laboratory Network where she grew revenues and drove expansion into new markets. She also served as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Specialty Laboratories Inc., where she oversaw marketing, customer service and was instrumental in sale of company to Ameripath in 2005.
Earlier in her career, Vicki worked as the Vice President of Hospital Sales and Marketing at Quest Diagnostics, Inc. She has also held executive level positions with American Medical Laboratories, sold to Quest Diagnostics, and Laboratory Corporation of America. Vicki formerly served on the Board of Directors of PWNHealth, LLC, sold to Spectrum Equity.
Board Advisor
Dr. Thane Kreiner is an experienced biotech executive and board member with deep expertise in scientific innovation, global growth, and inclusive leadership. He was instrumental in scaling Affymetrix (now Thermo Fisher) from startup to IPO and a $10B market cap, commercializing the world’s first DNA chip systems.
Thane has served as founding CEO of four venture-backed bioscience companies, including iPierian (acquired by BMS), Presage Biosciences, Second Genome, and iAccessCare. He currently serves on the boards of ADEii Health and Conservation X Labs, and advises startups on strategy, governance, and investor relations.
As Executive Director of Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University, he expanded its global accelerator to 1,000 enterprises in 100 countries—impacting over 450 million lives. He co-founded Black Corporate Board Readiness (BCBR) at Santa Clara University, connecting hundreds of executives to corporate board service.
Thane holds a PhD in Neurosciences and an MBA from Stanford University, and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin.
