Stevenson Search Partners Recruits President and CEO for DaCapo Brainscience
January 30, 2026 – Fort Lee, NJ-based Stevenson Search Partners, a global life science executive search firm and a Hunt Scanlon Top 50 ranked search firm, has placed Leslie Williams as president and CEO of DaCapo Brainscience in Cambridge, MA. “From inception, our vision has been to address neurodegenerative diseases at the point of progression,” said Matthew Peck, co-founder, senior advisor, and former interim chief executive officer of DaCapo Brainscience. “We welcome Leslie to our company and look forward to the experience she brings as we transition to our next phase of growth.”
Ms. Williams joins DaCapo as an accomplished biotechnology entrepreneur and executive with a demonstrated track record of founding and scaling innovative biotech ventures that have advanced breakthrough science from discovery through commercialization. With over 25 years of experience building high-growth life science companies, she brings deep expertise in raising capital, developing corporate strategy, and guiding organizations through critical stages of growth and clinical development.
Prior to joining DaCapo Brainscience, Ms. Williams spent five years as co-founder, president and CEO at HC Bioscience, where she led the development of tRNA-based protein editing therapeutics for rare disease and oncology. Her extensive career includes leadership roles at ImmusanT, where she advanced novel immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases, Ventaira Pharmaceuticals, and INO Therapeutics, where she contributed to the commercialization of a novel treatment for neonatal pulmonary hypertension based on nitric oxide, research that contributed to the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. Throughout her career, Ms. Williams has demonstrated exceptional fundraising capabilities, raising over $300 million in venture capital and non-dilutive capital. Her board experience includes positions with BIO, MassBio, Ocular Therapeutix, and Make-A-Wish Massachusetts & Rhode Island, among others.
“Neurodegenerative diseases demand new thinking—especially when it comes to identifying and prioritizing novel pathways that truly drive progression,” said Ms. Williams. “To improve translation, we need models that mirror how disease progresses in humans—not just snapshots of biology. Our goal is to develop small molecules against novel pathways with the potential to slow or stop neurodegenerative disease, starting with Parkinson’s disease. The strong science and incredible team that’s already in place offer an opportunity to build something truly meaningful.”
DaCapo Brainscience uses its own discovery platform to develop small-molecule medicines for neurodegenerative diseases. By combining advanced data analysis with human-based laboratory models, they identify new disease pathways and design targeted treatments that aim to slow or stop disease progression, with an initial focus on Parkinson’s disease.
With more than 40 years of experience, Stevenson Search Partners serves the global biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical technology, health technology, and CRO/CDMO sectors, with offices in the U.S. and the U.K. Founded in 1979, Stevenson’s expertise includes C-suite, research, clinical, development, commercial manufacturing, and corporate functions, and working with companies ranging from start-ups and academic spinouts to large pharma clients. Stevenson provides a collaborative, long-term approach to its clients with a global network and strategic talent mapping and pipelining, and competitive analysis services.
The search firm boasts an entrepreneurial and diversity-driven culture, with expansive industry expertise and broad international reach. In 2020, Stevenson expanded its operations with the opening of an office in the U.K., which also serves the E.U. and other regions, as part of its strategic growth in the global life science and healthcare area.
Larry Dolinko is CEO of Stevenson Search Partners. He is a seasoned leader with a track record of scaling teams and integrating services, and will spearhead the strategic direction of the firm. His vision focuses on doubling the size of Stevenson’s executive retained search business while seamlessly growing its new on-demand talent solutions.
Purespring Therapeutics Search
Stevenson Search Partners also helped to recruit Nicholas Deakin as vice president, head of business development & strategy at Purespring Therapeutics in London. “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Nicholas Deakin, who joins Purespring as VP, head of business development and strategy,” the company said in a LinkedIn post. “With over a decade of biopharma and healthcare expertise, Nick has an extensive background in defining and executing on opportunities, bringing a comprehensive skill set at the intersection of science and business.”
Dr. Deakin brings over a decade of biopharma and healthcare expertise and a comprehensive skillset at the intersection of science and business. At Purespring, he will be a key member of the executive leadership team responsible for defining and executing the company’s growth strategy. Most recently, Dr. Deakin served as an executive director in the healthcare investment banking team at Morgan Stanley, where he supported companies in creating their equity story, raising public and private capital, and executing on M&A and licensing activities.
Related: Stevenson Search Partners Receives Long-Term Investment from SixSibs Capital
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
