Sarah Delmar, Partner, Delmar Group

Sarah Upton Delmar is a partner at Delmar Group, a consultancy dedicated to community building through ecosystem, workforce, and leadership development. She currently serves as a life sciences consultant to FocusMaine, where she is helping to accelerate the growth of the sector through strategic planning, ecosystem development, and stakeholder engagement. She is also working with the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) to build lab infrastructure in the state through an upcoming RFP for shared lab space.

Sarah previously spent over a decade at the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), where she led global expansion and was instrumental in building CIC’s premier shared lab platform. Her work there focused on creating programmatic and physical innovation infrastructure to support tech and life sciences startups in cities across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Originally from a rural town in Downeast Maine, Sarah has recently relocated back to the state with her family. She chairs FocusMaine’s Bioscience Advisory Team, serves on the BioPilot / BioIN Advisory Council, and is passionate about supporting Maine’s innovation economy.

Owen McCarthy, Co-Founder, MedRhythms

Raised in Patten, he grew up watching his father, a third-generation logger, leave for work at 2 a.m. and still make time for his family. His mother, a second-generation lunch lady, taught him the power of community. Their example shaped his belief that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about showing up, working hard, and helping others succeed.

As valedictorian of Katahdin High School, he learned firsthand from teachers like Mr. Duffy and Ms. Harvey that education can open doors. At the University of Maine, he studied engineering as a Pulp and Paper Scholar, was elected student body president, and became the first in his family to graduate from college. Later, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he learned and practiced the tools to build and lead organizations.

Owen co-founded MedRhythms, a company pioneering FDA-approved technology to help people regain mobility after a stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease. Originally launched in Boston, he moved the business to Maine, proving that world-class innovation can thrive here. Under his leadership, MedRhythms has raised over $60 million in capital, was recognized as an FDA breakthrough technology, and created high-paying jobs—all while advancing cutting-edge technology that serves people nationwide.

As a Trustee for the University of Maine System, he helps oversee a network of seven public universities that educates nearly 30,000 students. His leadership extends to the Rural Futures Fund, where he works to lift up young people in small communities-like Patten, and the Digital Therapeutics Alliance, where he advocates for new approaches to healthcare. In recognition of his impact, he was named a Presidential Leadership Scholar.

Owen, his wife Holly, and their two sons live in Gorham and spend summers on Porter Lake. In his free time, Owen enjoys playing basketball and watching Maine high school basketball—a hobby that deepens his connection to communities across the state and fuels his commitment to Maine ensuring remains a place where the next generation can thrive.

Aileen Huang-Saad, PhD, Director of Life Sciences and Engineering Programs and Associate Professor of Bioengineering, The Roux Institute at Northeastern University

Aileen Huang-Saad is the Director of Life Sciences, Health, and Engineering Programs at Northeastern’s Roux Institute (Portland, Maine) and an Associate Professor of Bioengineering. Leveraging her experience with design, entrepreneurship, education research, and industry, she seeks close the gap between higher education and professional practice. Specifically, she is designing interdisciplinary experiential education life sciences, health, and engineering programs to attract, retain, and advance talent in the state of Maine. These programs are designed to re-imagine how higher education and communities can work together to impact economic and talent development. Dr. Huang-Saad currently serves as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Springer’s Biomedical Engineering Education and is a member of the Maine State Workforce Board and the National Academies’ Roundtable on Systemic Change in Undergraduate STEM Education. She is also an American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering Fellow.

Jeri Bowers, Vice President of External Affairs and Chief of Staff, MDI Biological Laboratory

Aileen Huang-Saad is the Director of Life Sciences, Health, and Engineering Programs at Northeastern’s Roux Institute (Portland, Maine) and an Associate Professor of Bioengineering. Leveraging her experience with design, entrepreneurship, education research, and industry, she seeks close the gap between higher education and professional practice. Specifically, she is designing interdisciplinary experiential education life sciences, health, and engineering programs to attract, retain, and advance talent in the state of Maine. These programs are designed to re-imagine how higher education and communities can work together to impact economic and talent development. Dr. Huang-Saad currently serves as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Springer’s Biomedical Engineering Education and is a member of the Maine State Workforce Board and the National Academies’ Roundtable on Systemic Change in Undergraduate STEM Education. She is also an American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering Fellow.