Who We Are

Justin Gover is a seasoned biotech leader with more than 25 years of experience in the UK and US, including as founding CEO of GW Pharmaceuticals. During his tenure, Justin led GW through multiple equity financings, dual public listings in London and on Nasdaq, and its successful acquisition in 2021. During this period, he oversaw the development and commercialization of a novel, FDA‑approved therapy, establishing global R&D, manufacturing, and commercial capabilities.  

Justin currently serves on the boards of Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: XENE) and Design Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DSGN). 

Justin holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of Bristol and an MBA from INSEAD.  

Dr. Jonas has held executive leadership roles across various life science organizations and brings more than three decades of leadership in pharmaceutical research and development, with a particular focus on neuroscience. Dr. Jonas currently serves as a partner at Cure Ventures. Previously, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Sage Therapeutics and later as Chief Innovation Officer.  

Dr. Jonas previously served on the Board of Directors of Generation Bio and of Karuna Therapeutics. 

Dr. Jonas hold a B.A. from Amherst College and is M.D. from Harvard Medical School. He completed his psychiatry residency at Harvard, serving as Chief Resident of Psychopharmacology at McLean Hospital. 

Daphne brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical and asset management sectors to the Compass board. She currently serves as President and Chief Financial Officer at Flare Therapeutics Inc., a privately held biotechnology company. Daphne previously held executive roles at Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and at Allergan plc, until its acquisition by AbbVie.   

Daphne currently serves on the Board of Mineralys Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MLYS)  

Daphne is an MIT graduate in chemical engineering and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. 

Bob has more than 35 years of experience in drug discovery, development strategy, and lifecycle management, with a particular focus on central nervous system and specialty therapeutics. Prior to his retirement from his position as EVP and Chief Strategic Officer at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc, Bob was responsible for coordinating the development strategy for Otsuka’s compounds across their life cycles. He currently serves as Corporate Strategic Advisor for Otsuka America, Inc. 

Bob currently serves on several boards of Otsuka subsidiaries, and the board of directors of Camurus AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: CAMX).  

He holds a degree (BS) from Davidson College and a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Kabir has over thirty years of experience in the biopharmaceutical and medical device industry. His deep-rooted commitment to revolutionizing mental healthcare has driven his career to focus strongly on the CNS and mental health space. Prior to joining Compass, Kabir was Senior Managing Director of global pharmaceuticals at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and, before that, President and CEO of Otsuka’s North America Pharmaceutical Business, where he led the development of pharmaceutical products and digital solutions addressing complex mental health needs.  

Kabir holds an MA from the University of Cambridge and an MBA from INSEAD. 

David brings decades of leadership experience in the pharmaceutical sector, including senior executive roles overseeing global commercial and operational functions.  He is the former Company Group Chairman of Global Pharmaceuticals for Johnson & Johnson. He began his career with J&J in 1979 and held several positions across the company, including Company Group Chairman, Worldwide Commercial and Operations for the CNS/internal medicine franchise, Company Group Chairman for the pharmaceutical businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Company Group Chairman for the pharmaceutical businesses in North America.  

David has previously served on multiple public boards, including INC Research Holdings Inc. (now Syneos Health). 

David holds a degree from Preston College.  

Wayne J Riley, MD, MPH, MBA is a physician executive currently serving as the President of the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences University where he holds tenured professorships in internal medicine, and health policy and management. Dr Riley’s broad range of experience encompasses clinical and academic medicine, primary care, public health, health care management and policy, and government service.  

Dr Riley is a member of the Board of Directors of HCA Healthcare Inc (NYSE: HCA). He also serves on the Board of Heartflow, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTFL). 

Dr. Riley holds a BA from Yale University, an MPH from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, an MD from the Morehouse School of Medicine, and an MBA from Rice University. 

Gino has over a decade of board leadership and governance expertise in both public and private global corporations. He has served as an advisor and board director to European and US venture capital, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies since 2011, when he stepped down from executive responsibility at Eli Lilly & Company after a successful 27-year career.  

During his director tenure across more than ten boards, Gino has honed his governance experience as chairman, lead independent director, and in multiple committee chair roles. He has played a leading role in several M&A transactions and has significant expertise in advising on commercial partnerships.  

Gino currently serves as Board Chair for Collegium Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: COLL), and Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG).  

Gino holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bologna and an MBA from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. 

Kathleen brings over 20 years of biopharma experience to the Compass Board. She most recently served as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Head of Commercial Strategy at Cerevel Therapeutics where she guided the company through a period of significant growth. Kathleen previously held external affairs positions overseeing public policy, government affairs, communications, patient advocacy and corporate social responsibility at Sanofi and Biogen. Earlier in her career, Kathleen served as a professional staff member in the United States Congress, holding health policy roles across various committees.

Kathleen currently serves on the Board of Directors of Spero Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPRO) and is appointed Kailera Therapeutic's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University and an M.A. in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.