About Us

Mitch BlumenfeldChief Financial Officer

Mitch joined LabConnect in 2025 as Chief Financial Officer. He brings over 20 years of experience in life sciences and clinical research, most recently as CFO of Network Partners Group, a leading pharmaceutical and medical device consulting company. He previously served as CFO of Signant Health, a leading provider of software and services in support of clinical research, with operations in 8 countries. He served as CFO at PCI Pharma Services during a period of rapid growth, overseeing 5 significant acquisitions and geographic expansion to the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Mitch began his career at GE and Cencora and has served as a board advisor and director for a number of startups and early-stage technology companies.

He brings a wealth of experience in rapid growth, private equity-backed companies including extensive global operations experience, mergers & acquisitions, and strategic planning. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science Engineering from Bucknell University and a M.S. in Computer Science & Applications from Virginia Tech.

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Debra GranChief Human Resources Officer

Debra is responsible for developing and executing people-centered strategies to support LabConnect’s success. She previously served as Corporate Vice President, North America for DiaSorin, where she was responsible for the strategic direction and execution of all Human Resource programs.

Debra has held global leadership roles within biotechnology, healthcare, and service industries, including Amplifon Americas, 3M HIS, and GE Capital IT Solutions. She is a Senior Professional (SPHR) with the Society of Human Resource Management and Strategic Human Resource Leadership from Cornell University.

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Richard HarrisChief Executive Officer

Richard Harris brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience and a proven track record of launching innovative technology products that leverage AI, driving growth, executing strategic acquisitions, and building high-performing teams. He is known for his collaborative leadership style, transparency, and focus on aligning teams around shared goals. In his role, he leads the company's global strategy, operations, and continued growth as a clinical trial sample solutions and central laboratory services partner, supporting increasingly complex global studies.

Prior to joining LabConnect, Rich served as CEO of TrustEngine, where he developed a native AI strategy that returned the business to growth and profitability. He previously served as CEO of SparkPost and AddThis; both achieved high growth and profitability and were successfully acquired. He also held a senior leadership role at Oracle, where he led international operations for the Oracle Data Cloud and transformed it into the company's fastest-growing division.

In addition to his operating leadership experience, Rich has served on multiple company boards across technology, healthcare, and data-driven organizations. He holds an MBA and a JD from the University of Maryland, as well as a bachelor's degree in economics from Denison University.

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Rich LaBarcaChief Technology Officer

Rich LaBarca brings more than 30 years of technology, product, engineering and executive leadership experience, with a proven track record of scaling technology organizations, launching innovative products, and driving growth through AI, data strategy, and business development. In his role, he leads LabConnect's technology strategy, product innovation and digital transformation initiatives as the company continues advancing technology-enabled solutions for increasingly complex global studies.

Prior to joining LabConnect, Rich served as chief product and technology officer at TrustEngine, where he led product and technology strategy for an AI-enabled platform. He previously held senior product leadership roles at Microsoft and Oracle, including partner general manager for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Insights CDP and vice president of product for Oracle Data Cloud. He also contributed to the growth and successful acquisition of AddThis by Oracle.

Earlier in his career, Rich co-founded and sold mobile technology startups and developed technology for computer-assisted surgery and medical robotics. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science with a minor in physics and a master's degree in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University.

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Stephen LesserSenior Vice President & General Counsel

Stephen brings nearly two decades of leadership experience advising senior executives and boards at life sciences and technology companies on all aspects of corporate legal matters and governance to support their innovation and growth strategies.

Before joining LabConnect, Stephen founded Tairbhe Ventures, a consulting firm supporting corporate strategy, business development and complex transactions in the life sciences space. Previously, he served as Principal and Lead Counsel for NovaQuest Capital Management, where he advised on product finance transactions, equity investments, and portfolio management activities for pre-clinical, clinical, and commercial stage biopharma companies. Additionally, Stephen served as Lead Counsel for Leaps by Bayer, Bayer's corporate venture capital team, as Counsel for Bayer U.S., and as an associate at Troutman Pepper Locke.

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Shachi SharmaChief Client, Quality & Regulatory Officer

Shachi brings over 20 years of global leadership experience at multiple pharmaceutical and biotech companies. She has successfully built and led diverse and high-performing teams to bring new therapies to patients worldwide. With a progressive career covering Quality, Strategy, Operations, Engineering, and Program Management, she has brought her strong leadership skills and strategic thinking to support multiple product approvals and launches across various therapeutic areas such as Hematology, Rare Diseases, Ophthalmology sand Neurology. Shachi also serves in Board Advisory roles driving digital transformation and innovation.

Her previous experience includes global leadership roles at Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer and Biogen in Biologics and Small molecules, covering all phases of Drug Development and Product life cycle to ensure strict standards for Patient Safety, Quality and Regulatory Compliance. Her educational background includes MS in Electrical Engineering and MBA in Management.

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