Our People

Rommel Fernandez is a commercial strategy executive with over 17 years of experience driving growth and innovation in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. He has played a pivotal role in the commercialization and launch of six pharmaceutical products, delivering measurable outcomes for patients, providers, and stakeholders.

As Chief Analytics Officer at Fingerpaint Group, Rommel led the integration of advanced analytics and generative AI into business operations, achieving a 6x efficiency gain and improving forecasting accuracy. At La Jolla Pharmaceutical, he was instrumental in the launch of Giapreza, securing over 300 formulary approvals, and access into some of the most high control health systems, and increasing hospital reimbursements for Medicare patients by 50% through strategic NTAP designation.

Rommel excels at aligning cross-functional teams, developing data-driven strategies, and executing initiatives that transform business operations. His expertise spans market access, commercialization, financial modeling, and lifecycle management, consistently contributing to organizational growth and market success.  Rommel combines strategic insight with operational excellence to deliver impactful results across healthcare markets.

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.

Leena joins Alpha Cognition's marketing team, bringing her expertise in developing LTC-specific marketing strategies and promotional materials to the launch of ZUNVEYL. Leena's prior experience includes excelling in LTC sales, revitalizing an underperforming territory in just a few short months, and leading impactful marketing campaigns, including the first-ever LTC-focused campaign at her previous organization. She has also developed CNS-focused KOL marketing initiatives, sales force resources, and non-personal promotion. Passionate about innovation in long-term care, Leena is eager to drive ZUNVEYL's success in the LTC segment.

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.

Kumar Vaddi brings 20 years of pharmaceutical CMC experience focused on formulation development, scale up, manufacturing, analytical, regulatory preparedness, and leadership in both internal and external collaborations at various stages of drug substance and drug product development. Prior to joining Alpha Cognition, Kumar developed innovative solutions in drug development including oral solids, soft gels, semi solids, liquids, nasal sprays, and transdermal formulations at Novartis and Noven Pharmaceuticals. Kumar holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, complemented by post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Kentucky and Texas A&M University. He has also contributed to the field through multiple published papers and books. As a registered pharmacist and affiliate member of Florida Atlantic University, Kumar stays active and engaged with the academic and professional community.

Andy brings over a decade of experience in Medical Affairs within the pharmaceutical industry. He has excelled in diverse roles across multiple therapeutic areas, driving strategic initiatives and playing a significant role in the successful launch of 4 new products.

Prior to joining Alpha Cognition, Andy was a Medical Science Liaison at Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Marinus Pharmaceuticals and Acacia Pharma. In addition to his field medical duties, he worked collaboratively to build out Medical Affairs teams and supported medical-specific and company-wide training initiatives. At Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Andy led the Medical Information department during the launch of a new migraine product and supported HEOR activities by conducting real-world evidence studies, authoring dossiers, and creating clinical presentations for payor audiences. He is passionate about communicating information and evidence to ensure optimal patient access and outcomes.

Andy earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine and Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of California, San Diego.  After pharmacy school, he completed a Post-doctoral Pharmaceutical Fellowship at AbbVie, formally Allergan, and the University of Southern California. Andy is a registered pharmacist in the State of California.