Prior to his CEO roles, Ankit has advised on and supported investments into the biotechnology sector as a Venture Partner at Atlas Venture. He has held previous positions at organizations including Genentech, McKinsey & Company, the United States Government Accountability Office, and the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Ankit received his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA from Northwestern University. He lives in Chestnut Hill, MA, with his wife and two sons.
Ankit Mahadevia is an entrepreneur, speaker and author. He has co-founded nine biotechnology companies, including Spero Therapeutics, where he currently serves as Chairman. Several of these companies are trading on the Nasdaq exchange and several others have been acquired by large pharmaceutical organizations. Through these companies, he has raised over $1 billion for the development of novel therapeutics, and built multiple high performing management teams. He and the companies he has built have won multiple awards for their culture, including Boston Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” Award and Glassdoor’s “Top 50 CEOs of 2021” (#15 nationwide).
2022 Ankit published a book about his leadership journey: Quiet Leader, Loud Results:
Why I Wrote This Book
Earlier in my career, I found myself ashamed of my quiet nature. I forced myself to “get out there” like my extraverted colleagues. I even joined an improv comedy troupe to get more comfortable interacting with others.
Still, as an aspiring young associate at a venture capital firm, I felt drained pretending to be the louder person I thought I needed to be. In Board meetings, I found myself waiting for the perfect thing to say. Of course, the moment would pass, and I missed out on crucial discussions.
At best, I looked mute. At worst, I looked lost.
Ankit has spoken widely on entrepreneurship and leadership, including at Harvard University, Columbia University, Northwestern University, and the Berkeley Forum.