Dr. Robin L. Smith is a global thought leader in regenerative medicine. She received her M.D. from the Yale School of Medicine and MBA from the Wharton School of Business. During her tenure as CEO of the NeoStem family of companies (NASDAQ: NBS now CLBS) from 2006 to 2015, she pioneered the companys innovative business model, combining proprietary cell therapy development with a successful contract development and manufacturing organization. Dr. Smith raised over $240 million, completing six acquisitions and one divestiture while the company won an array of industry awards including a first-place ranking in the tri-state area (two years in a row), and eleventh place nationally, on Deloittes Technology Fast 500 and Frost & Sullivans North American Cell Therapeutics Technology Innovation Leadership Award.
In 2007, Dr. Smith founded the Stem for Life Foundation (SFLF), devoted to fostering global awareness of the potential for regenerative medicine to treat and cure a range of deadly diseases and debilitating medical conditions. In 2010, Dr. Smith forged a historic, first-of-its-kind partnership with the Vatican, bringing the charitys mission to a global audience. As part of this relationship, the Vatican and SFLF create high-profile initiatives to catalyze interest and investment to reduce human suffering on a global scale. Dr. Smith has served as chairman of the board and president of SFLF since its inception and has been expanding its mission further under the Cura brand since 2016.
Dr. Smith was appointed as clinical associate professor, department of medicine at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in 2017. Dr. Smith maintained a regular column for the Huffington Post for six years and co-authored Cells are the New Cure and The Healing Cell: How the Greatest Revolution in Medical History Is Changing Your Life. She is a winner of the 2014 Brava! Award, which recognizes top women business leaders in the New York area. Dr. Smith was a finalist for the 2014 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the New York area. In April 2016, Pope Francis awarded Dr. Smith Dame Commander with Star Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester Pope and Martyr. Dr. Smith was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in Healthcare and Science Award by The National Museum of Catholic Art and Library in May 2017.
Dr. Smith has extensive experience serving in executive- and board-level capacities for various health care-based enterprises. She is currently chairman of the board of directors of MYnd Analytics (NASDAQ: MYND, formerly CNS Response), serves on the board of directors of Rockwell Medical (NASDAQ: RMTI). Additionally, she served on the board of Signal Genetics (NASDAQ:SGNL) and Prolung DX chairing the nominating and governance committee. She is co-chairman of the Life Sci advisory board on gender diversity. She is the founder and president of the Cura Foundation, Stem for Life Foundation, and Cognitive Warriors and vice president and member of the board of directors of the Science and Faith STOQ Foundation in Rome and serves on Sanford Healths International Board and the board of overseers at the NYU Langone Medical Center in NYC after serving on the board of trustees for five years and chairman of the board of the New York Hospital for Joint Diseases for five years.
As a business leader, entrepreneur, doctor and philanthropist, Dr. Smith is uniquely positioned to lead the global health care industry into the cellular futurea future where the cells of our bodies will stand as the foundation for a wide array of cures and big data will assist physicians to determine the best course of treatment for individual patients.