Events for May 20, 2026 – WhyLALifeScience

Stephanie Hsieh

As Executive Director of the Los Angeles office, Stephanie is at the leading edge of transforming the greater Los Angeles area into a premier life science hub, devising and executing on impactful strategies and initiatives for ensuring growth and sustainability for our members and the industry generally.

Stephanie has spent almost 30 years in biotech, most recently as CEO of an immune-oncology start-up in the Los Angeles area. She holds B.A. in biochemistry from Wellesley College, a J.D. from Columbia University and an M.B.A. from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

Hanan Al-Hakim

Hanan Al-Hakim is Sr. Program Manager in Biocom’s L.A. office. Hanan is responsible for connecting Los Angeles-area life science companies, professionals and entrepreneurs through regional events, and delivering LA members best-in-class service. In addition, she helps highlight LA’s bustling life science industry through social media and marketing communications. She brings to Biocom a background in program management, account and partner relations, event planning, project management, and marketing analysis. Hanan obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Cal State Northridge and a Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management.

Jessica Ku Kim

In her role as Senior Director of Workforce Development, Jessica Ku Kim provides strategic direction and leads collaborative efforts to strengthen the alignment of LA County’s workforce and education systems to industry workforce needs. Jessica has intimate knowledge of programs funded on state and national levels including WIA, WIOA, California State Workforce Development Board, U.S. Department of Labor, California Employment Training Panel, and the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO. She has demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and managing workforce development programs for target populations including incumbent workers, new hires, disadvantaged youth, veterans, homeless, individuals with disabilities, and re-entry. In addition, she is experienced in developing innovative job training programs, pre-apprenticeships, and/or apprenticeships in the construction trades, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and other in-demand industries. Jessica leads LAEDC’s workforce efforts through the Center for a Competitive Workforce and is a member of the Los Angeles City and County Workforce Development Board.

Prior to LAEDC, Jessica served as the Special Projects Manager at the South Bay Workforce Investment Board. In this capacity, she provided sound, innovative and strategic leadership through program development and administration. Jessica has also served as the Director of Operations for ACCORD Community First that provided workforce development services across seven counties in Southern California. She received her Masters of Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills and her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine.

Jasson Crockett

Jasson Crockett is Manager of Economic Policy in the office of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. Jasson oversees the City’s Department of Cannabis Regulation and manages policy and business development in the life science and healthcare sectors, sports, and tax policy. Jasson works to connect companies of all sizes to resources within City Hall to enable their growth in the City of LA, and develop a more connected ecosystem wherein companies can thrive.

West Los Angeles College

Department
Life and Physical Sciences

News & Events