Speaking
About Rod
Rodney Cotton is an entrepreneurial board member, venture partner and advisor with 40+ years of executive experience in public, private and startup biotech and tech-driven healthcare companies.
He currently serves as an independent director and audit and compensation member at Castle Biosciences (Nasdaq: CSTL) and holds independent directorships at Eisai Pharmaceuticals (U.S), Moleculera Biosciences, Orchard Software and General Genomics. Rod is also a venture partner at 2Flo Ventures. Previously, he spent over two decades at Roche Diagnostics, culminating in roles like SVP, head of strategy and transformation, and chief of staff to the CEO.
Recognized by Savoy Magazine, BlackDoctor.org and BoardProspects, Rod has received accolades like Most Influential Corporate Directors and Top Blacks in Healthcare.
He holds an MBA from California State University, Dominguez Hills, an MS in strategic management from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business and a BA in biological sciences and Technology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Rod Cotton is the CEO of Cotton Ventures and a leading strategic advisor to executives in life sciences, including biotech, pharma and health tech. With 40+ years of leadership experience —including executive roles at Roche Diagnostics and Baxter — Rod has driven innovation, diversity and growth across global healthcare organizations. A frequent board advisor and keynote speaker, he empowers startups and established companies alike to scale effectively, transform culture and meet investor demands. Rod’s work has earned national recognition, including honors from Savoy Magazine, BlackDoctor.org and the State of Indiana.
Bio Highlights
Extensive Experience: 40+ years of executive experience in public, private and startup biotech and tech-driven healthcare companies
Current Roles:
Independent director and audit/compensation member at Castle Biosciences (Nasdaq: CSTL)
Independent director at Eisai Pharmaceuticals (U.S.), Moleculera Biosciences, Orchard Software and General Genomics
Venture partner at 2Flo Ventures
Previous Leadership Roles: 20+ years at Roche Diagnostics, including roles as SVP, head of strategy and transformation and chief of staff to the CEO
Accolades: Recognized by Savoy Magazine, BlackDoctor.org and BoardProspects; recognized among Most Influential Corporate Directors and Top Blacks in Healthcare
Education:
MBA from California State University, Dominguez Hills
MS in strategic management from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business
BA in biological sciences and technology from the University of California, Santa Barbara
Rod’s Speaking Topics
Healthcare Delivery
Healthcare Innovation
Health Equity
Mentoring
Board Governance
Strategy & Leadership
Speaking Clients Served
Biotech and Biopharmaceuticals, Pharma, Life Sciences, Healthcare Delivery
Board Governance
Strategy, Leadership, Career Development, Advisory, Education
Rod in Action
Speaker Impact
“Thank you, Rod Cotton, for your inspiration and insights. Your message about vision-driven leadership resonates deeply. Just today, in our last 2024 Fellows session, we focused heavily on leaning on our core values as a source of resilience in our companies.”
— Richard Novak, Co-Founder and CEO, Unravel Biosciences
“You have been such a trailblazer. So glad to have had a chance to see you this week!”
— Sheri Humphrey, US Oncology Marketing Leader, Merck & Company
“Rod Cotton, awesome to have you join our session today. Really appreciate your perspectives on all fronts, especially on ‘focusing, simplifying, and amplifying,’ as well as emphasizing ‘possibilities and solutions.’ I've received a lot of positive feedback on our session — time with you is always time well spent! And, based on the photos, it looks like we were having fun too. Thank you!”
— Greg Rotz, U.S. Pharmaceuticals & Life Science Advisory Leader, PwC
“Rod, thank YOU for sharing your story and introducing Gigi to 110 more leaders today. It was incredibly motivating and we are grateful for your time, talents and energy!”
— Anne Murray, VP Development, Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana
“Loved your candor and vulnerability throughout Rod!! Appreciate you continuing to demonstrate your leadership at every stage of your journey!”
— George Okpamen, PharmD MBA, Barclay’s BFI Venture Scout, Zeal Capital Partners, Former VP Strategic Equity Initiatives, Lilly Foundation
“Great insights at the Health Equity Investing Summit! Thanks for leading such an important discussion, Rod!”
— Kostiantyn Polosukhin, CEO HebroSoft
“Rod, your generosity in support of our BCBR program is inspirational. I'm honored to be a fellow alum with you and the rest of the amazing and talented folks who have participated in this outstanding program!”
— Sherie Hickman, Board Member, ADEii Health, Former CEO, Sutter Health
“Such an amazing event! Thank YOU Rod for all you do for the community!”
— Calvin Harris, Jr., CPA, CEO New York Society of CPAs
