Flagship Pioneering, the scientific innovation engine behind transformative platforms and products, has appointed Yvonne Hao as Chief Operating Officer and General Partner. Hao brings more than 25 years of experience spanning corporate leadership, venture capital, private equity, and public service.
Previously, Hao served as Secretary of the Executive Office of Economic Development for Massachusetts, co-chairing the state’s AI Strategic Task Force to position Massachusetts as a global leader in applied AI. She also has deep operational and investment experience, having co-founded Cove Hill Partners, served as COO and CFO of PillPack (leading its sale to Amazon in 2018), and held leadership roles at Bain Capital and Honeywell.
As COO, Hao will oversee key operational pillars at Flagship, including HR, Legal/IP, IT/Digital, Communications, Government and Regulatory Affairs, and Facilities/Real Estate. As General Partner, she will serve on the Resource Allocation Committee, contribute to strategic initiatives, and help steward Flagship’s later-stage companies.
“Yvonne is an outstanding leader with deep expertise at the intersection of business, innovation, and public service,” said Noubar Afeyan, Founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering. “Her breadth of experience will be invaluable as we drive value within our ecosystem and steward the next generation of transformational companies.”
Hao has also served on boards of public companies such as Gentherm, Flywire, CarGurus, and ZipRecruiter, as well as private companies like Bose and nonprofit organizations including Beth Israel Lahey Health System and Williams College.
“Flagship is creating entirely new categories of science and innovation that are redefining what’s possible in human health, sustainability, and beyond,” Hao said. “I’m excited to join a leadership team that combines bold vision with exceptional capabilities and to help steward the next generation of ventures that can deliver lasting impact for people and the planet.”
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