Lisa Portney
BIOTECH STRATEGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR FOUNDERS AND INVESTORS
I help biotech companies and investors get valuation, positioning, and strategy right — grounded in science, driven by fundamentals, and built for traction.
Strategic. Driven. Trusted.
Lisa Portney is a strategic force with a fearless, resourceful approach to solving complex business challenges. With 10+ years of experience across investment banking and biotech startups, she’s helped companies raise over $1B in capital, secure high-impact partnerships, and scale with confidence.
Known as the glue that holds teams together, Lisa combines sharp financial instincts with the ability to bring structure, momentum, and clarity to high-growth environments. She’s often the one connecting the dots, asking the questions others won’t, and turning vision into traction.
Whether supporting a Series A raise or leading operations at a research-stage biotech, Lisa brings rigor, warmth, and a can-do attitude that makes her both a trusted advisor and a valued teammate. Her approach is collaborative, decisive, and built for real-world execution.
From the Boardroom to the Bench.
Lisa’s background spans top-tier investment banking at Piper Sandler, where she led $1B+ in transactions for healthcare clients, to operational and fundraising leadership at fast-growing biotech ventures like Aerium Therapeutics and Imprint Labs. She’s negotiated licensing deals, built financial systems from scratch, and helped early-stage companies clarify their story to win funding and trust.
Bold. Practical. Collaborative.
Lisa isn’t just a strategist — she’s a partner who rolls up her sleeves. Whether you need to reshape your pitch, rework your financials, or unblock a stalled initiative, she brings clear frameworks, honest feedback, and a results-first mindset. Her clients appreciate her ability to bridge vision and execution, moving quickly without losing sight of nuance.
Making Innovation Possible.
Lisa launched her consulting work in 2023 to support the people driving the future of healthcare. She knows how high the stakes are — and how critical it is to have support that’s not only strategic, but operationally grounded and action-oriented. Her goal is simple: to help biotech teams turn bold ideas into fundable, scalable realities.
Outside the Office.
Lisa serves as a Startup Advisor at Columbia Business School and is an alum of the No Patient Left Behind Fellowship. She’s passionate about patient advocacy, public health innovation, and creating access to life-changing therapies. Off-hours, she’s usually hiking, skiing, or spending time with her family and two dogs.