About

Murad Sabzali, Founder and Managing Partner

Finding it difficult to make up his mind, Murad studied biology, finance and marketing. In fact, still restless, he talks about going back to study advanced physics to prove Einstein wrong. Putting aside his thirst for greater knowledge, Murad brings to Chempetitive Group his extensive marketing communications experience from working with both start-up and established companies. Prior to founding Chempetitive Group, Murad held key marketing communications positions with specialty chemical companies, including Kaltron-Pettibone, fobchemicals.com, and MSDSonline. Murad also held account management, public relations and analyst relations positions at Slack Barshinger. Murad is skilled in the development of effective advertising, public relations and customer-generation programs. In addition to writing a book, experimenting with acrylic paints, figuring out fly fishing, and learning to play the guitar (in an effort to re-vive his defunct band, Bass Pairs), Murad serves on the Board of a local not-for-profit organization, Geneva Foundation. Murad is also the co-founder of a craft beer company, a record label, and a cleantech marketing communication agency. He received his B.S. from Northern Illinois University. In 2012, he was named one of "40 under 40" by Crain's Chicago Business.

Jeff Bergau, Founder and Managing Partner

Jeff is the firm's chief morale officer. He is not bothered by much. Unless, that is, it involves exploitation of the trite, like the word "solution" in marketing materials. He offers Chempetitive Group clients a solid mix of corporate and agency experience. Before co-founding Chempetitive Group, Jeff held corporate communications positions with life sciences companies Monsanto Company and Calgene, Inc., and marketing agency positions with Slack Barshinger and Cramer-Krasselt. Jeff also served as Vice President, Communications, for the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (IBIO) and is a past biotechnology contributor to i-Street Magazine. Jeff has significant experience in the development and execution of strategic marketing, issues management and crisis communications programs for life sciences companies, and he has served as a company spokesperson in both print and broadcast media. He received his B.A. from Columbia College, Chicago, and his M.A. from Syracuse University. He is a co-founder of Bass Pairs and hopes to travel the world playing Zeppelin, man.

Steve Johnson, Managing Partner and Vice President of Strategy and Insight

Steve is that guy that you want on your squad. Not because of his .470 OBP in high school baseball, but because he’s that ego-free guy who always seems to have the right answer. Of course he understands what it takes to create strategic marketing programs that generate high returns on our clients’ marketing investments. But he also has an uncanny ability to take a challenging situation and find a simple and effective course of action. Before bringing his skills to Chempetitive Group, he spent 18 years at Slack Barshinger, where he was a partner, directed a host of client services and played the role of staff psychiatrist. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Business Administration from Illinois State University a very long time ago.

Erik Clausen, Managing Partner and Vice President of Public Relations

Erik is a professional storyteller, who dabbled in public affairs before realizing there are better stories to be told in life science PR than in politics. Erik brings two decades of communications and international experience to his role leading the PR team at Chempetitive Group. Previously, Erik founded a U.S. office in San Francisco for European communications consultancy College Hill Life Sciences. Prior to that, he served as Vice President at international PR agency Schwartz Communications, where he worked for nearly a decade and ultimately led the firm's West Coast Life Science and Healthcare group. Erik was also a Chief-of-Staff and Press Secretary for a Massachusetts senator in Boston and cut his teeth on the legislative communications team at California lobby house Livingston & Mattesich. Erik earned his Bachelor's in Environmental Science from California State University, Sacramento. In addition to being experienced in developing strategic communications programs that achieve business outcomes by influencing key audiences, Erik is a (very) amateur distance runner who hopes to someday run the Boston Marathon without embarrassing himself. That shouldn't be difficult, after the hazing he takes around the office as a Red Sox fan.

Clare Russell, Managing Partner/Director - UK

Clare is one of our converted (or should that be coveted) scientists. She fuses a PhD in Immunology with many years of experience developing and managing integrated marketing communication programs. Clare truly understands the challenges and needs of the bench scientist, the PI, the lab manager and the facility director. This allows her to create informed marketing strategies that communicate the "true" benefits of the latest technological advances, directly to the decision makers. Clare brings with her significant knowledge of public relations, advertising and lead generation programs on a global level. Ultimately though, Clare is a people person. Her smile, energy, and drive make things happen for her clients, whatever their needs. When she's not being all serious, she likes to prance around - on her horse mostly - how British!

Paul Avery, Managing Partner/Director - UK

As a Managing Director of Chempetitive Group's UK operations, Paul claims that life science marketing strategy is in his genes. But he would say that, as he probably did the analysis late one night during his molecular biology PhD at the University of Cambridge. With over 10 years of biology experience spanning a degree in Genetics, medical research into the pathology of arthritis and the study of gene regulation during fruit fly development, Paul truly understands the research environment. After turning his attention to marketing, he quickly developed an in-depth understanding of what it takes to help make a success of products and services in the areas of life science and biotech. A self confessed geek dedicated to ‘lifelong learning’, Paul is always gathering new insights into the latest marketing approaches and new, emerging tools to deliver value across our client base. When not surgically attached to his Kindle, he’s also a DJ, juggler and soccer player (or footballer, as they say in the UK!).

Don Barshinger, Executive Creative Director

Don Barshinger has spent his career both writing and guiding marketing communications. Early on, Don had a misspent youth working at various consumer agencies such as Y&R and BBDO. Although he enjoyed the glamorous Mad Men life, Don saw that the future was in business-to-business communication. For 19 years, he was a principal at Slack Barshinger, an integrated business-to-business marketing communications agency. At Slack Barshinger, Don lead a 25-person creative department, developed long-term brand-building strategies and helped find new ways of helping clients grow their business. Don also served as the agency’s president for many years, helping to grow the agency into a major force in B2B marketing. After leaving the agency to pursue the carefree life of a freelance writer and creative director (Don was somewhat delusional at this point), Don almost immediately began working with the fine folks at Chempetitive Group. For three years, he has played a key role with many of Chempetitive’s clients, both creatively and strategically. He enjoys working in a variety of media, including print, video, online and live presentations.

Michael Yared, Director, Digital Strategy

The Force is strong in Michael. After building one of the Internet's most popular gaming networks, forging an alliance with LucasArts, and then founding his own online marketing agency, Michael traded in his light saber for an opportunity to lead life sciences companies through the information superhighway. Michael keeps the Dark Side of marketing at bay through building and optimizing Chempetitive Group clients' online activities. He developed his powerful combination of business, foosball and computer science skills at Indiana University, where he received his B.S and a cocky attitude.

Ken Li, Director, Public Relations

Ken escaped from a lab several years ago by disguising himself as a public relations professional. Since then he has been delivering award-winning programs for startup and Fortune 500 companies. Ken offers Chempetitive Group's clients media relations expertise coupled with a science background. Prior to joining Chempetitive Group, Ken headed the technology/B2B practice at public relations agency Dome HK. Ken has a strong track record generating both trade and national media. He started his career as a research scientist who studied cholesterol metabolism and development of innovative pocket protectors. He received his B.A. in Chemistry and B.S. in Biochemistry from Cornell University.

Tommy Torres, Creative Director

Tommy, the silent ninja, brings a diverse skill set to the Chempetitive Group. Trained in martial arts, RC racing, track motorcycle racing and creative design, Tommy brings a disciplined approach to everything he touches. Although he will never let you know it, or you may not hear him, he has quietly won numerous awards for his work over the past decade. His deeply thoughtful creative approach ensures that Chempetitive Group clients get strategically sound and visually impactful communications, every time. He's amassed communications experience with agencies such as Slack Barshinger and DoubleTake Design and has also run his own design firm. Tommy received his B.A. from the Illinois Institute of Art.

Todd Kuna, Account Director

If Chempetitive Group ever forms a volleyball team, Todd would be our go-to outside hitter. Not only can he spike, but he knows his science. In a previous life, Todd analyzed cancer clinical trial samples at a University of Chicago core lab. We plucked him up and have been able to leverage his insights into life science marketing magic. He continues to fuse the worlds of science and marketing in a way to add serious value to our clients and help them achieve their business objectives. Todd also sits on the board of Biologue Chicago and can be found around town at the beach, chasing food trucks or checking out a concert. He received his B.S. in Biology from Calvin College in 2002.

Kena Hudson, Public Relations Director

Kena draws on a great combination of PR, public affairs and journalism experience to deliver PR strategy and execution to life science and healthcare companies. She joined Chempetitive Group in 2010 from European life science communications agency College Hill. Previously, she worked at international PR agency Schwartz Communications. Kena has served as senior director of communications and marketing at the American Heart Association (AHA) and as press secretary to the Governor of California. She began her career as an award-winning TV reporter and producer in Oklahoma and earned her B.A. (with honors) in Broadcasting from Cameron University.