NELLONE - Key Persons
Serial entrepreneur Bill Malkes was appointed Chief Executive Officer of NellOne Therapeutics in April 2020. He previously co-founded and led GRIDSMART Technologies Inc, a global intelligent transportation solutions business, which was sold for $87 million in 2019. Under Malkes' leadership, the business grew to be the second largest in its space, and expanded to 22 countries around the world. Prior to GRIDSMART, Malkes held a number of senior leadership and advisory roles in technology and healthcare businesses including Health Care Solutions, ASIC International, Tradewind Technologies and Learning Technology Systems.
A servant leader at heart and builder of all things, Bill strives to leave things bigger and better than when he found them. To learn more about our CEO, visit billmalkes.com.
Christie Knapper brings nearly 20 years of marketing experience to the NellOne team. She is driven by serving the greater community and helping organizations thrive. Christie has worked in the professional services, education, and healthcare industries and is skilled in event management, team building, media relations, strategy development, corporate communications, and project management. She is a graduate of the Leadership Knoxville Class of 2018 and currently serves on the Board of Directors for YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley. Christie met her husband, Wade, while attending Maryville College and now resides in Knoxville with their three children.
Robert has over 25 years of experience in financial leadership across the technology, manufacturing, distribution and commercial real estate industries. He has capital raising as well as M&A experience with multiple organizations ranging from startups to exit transactions. Robert holds a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree concentrating in financial auditing from the University of Tennessee, is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and also holds Certified Management Account (CMA) and Certified Financial Manager (CFM) certifications. Robert also serves as an officer and board member of GIVESMART, a 501(c)3 focused on serving vulnerable people without limitations.
Shannon received his PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology. His expertise is around T-cell, HSC, and ES/iPSC cell biology, and has been with Cytiva (formerly GE Healthcare) Cell and Gene Therapy for over 10 years. He is a member of the International Society for Cell Therapy (ISCT) Process and Product Development (PPD) committee, and has authored numerous papers within the field of cell biology and manufacturing. He is currently the Technical Leader within Cytiva's Cell and Gene Therapy Enterprise Solutions group. Shannon lives with his wife and 2 kids in Knoxville, TN.
An investor, executive, and entrepreneur, Ms. Warren co-founded NellOne Therapeutics, a soft-tissue regenerative medicine company based on the NELL1 gene based on work initiated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory by her co-founder, Dr. Cymbeline Culiat. As founding CEO, she leads the company's efforts with respect to strategy, fundraising, business development and licensing for its equine and human therapies.
Having spent over a decade commercializing technologies from nation's leading institutions, Tracy serves on the Boards of Children's Research Institute (CRI) at Children's National Medical Center (Washington, DC) and Clemson University Research Foundation, and is a member of the Business Advisory Council to the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. In addition to her investment activities, she also provides early-stage leadership to other businesses, currently serving as a general partner of Astarte Ventures, an early stage venture firm focused exclusively on women's and children's health and wellbeing.