Our People

Kurt has over 30 years of experience in health care, with a strong background in both clinical practice and the life science industry.  He possesses broad therapeutic experience and has supported the launch of 9 new products and new indications in that time.

Prior to joining Alpha Cognition, Kurt was Executive Director of Field Medical, Medical Operations, and Medical Communications at Reneo Pharmaceuticals.  During his tenure at Reneo, he was instrumental in building Medical Affairs teams and infrastructure and preparing for product launch.  Prior to that, Kurt served as Head of US Medical Affairs at Acacia Pharma, Inc., and built and led the Medical Affairs organization through the successful launch of two new products.  On his way to these leadership roles, Kurt has served in positions of increasing responsibility at Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Centocor/Johnson & Johnson, and Glaxo Wellcome.  His pharmacy clinical practice experience includes Cox Health Systems in Springfield, MO; Express Scripts in St. Louis, MO; and Senior Scripts, a long-term care pharmacy, in Chesterfield, MO; where, in each setting, he also held positions of leadership.

Kurt earned Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and a Master’s in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.  He completed residency training at University of Florida Health Science Center in Jacksonville.  Kurt is a registered pharmacist in the State of Missouri. 

Jen Pesa brings 25 years in pharmaceutical commercial leadership. She is an authentic and dynamic leader known for her ability to drive results and build high-performing teams. She has led the successful launch of 12 products across 13 therapeutic areas, including neurology, psychiatry, geriatrics, and more. With 14 years focused on long-term care, Jen has a unique understanding of the complexities of this segment, and is skilled at developing strategies that improve both patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. A passionate advocate for building commercial capabilities, she has a proven track record in driving cross-functional collaboration and aligning teams across marketing, market access, sales operations, and sales training to create sustainable business success.

Jen’s leadership style is rooted in authenticity and collaboration, and she is committed to fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and growth at every level of her organizations.

Tom Tobin is a seasoned pharmaceutical leader with over 20 years of experience in pricing, contracting, and trade strategy.  Throughout his career, Tom has held senior roles at leading organizations, including Impel Pharmaceuticals, Esperion, Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, and AstraZeneca. His expertise spans managed care contract strategy, government pricing compliance, and account management, with a proven track record of building strategic partnerships across PBMs, HMOs, Medicare, and government sectors.

Tom’s leadership is defined by his ability to align operational excellence with brand goals, leveraging deep analytical insights and negotiation skills to deliver impactful results. He is passionate about improving patient access to life-changing treatments and driving value for stakeholders.