Leadership
Team

Alessandra Rispoli is the Chief Executive Officer of Ascend, leading the company’s global strategy, operations, and long-term growth. With over 28 years in biopharma, she is recognized for driving transformation, integrating complex organizations, and delivering sustainable value across development and commercial supply.
Before becoming CEO, Alessandra held senior leadership roles at Catalent, where she built and integrated Cell & Gene Therapy platforms across Europe and the United States. She also held leadership positions at Sanofi, Biotest, and West Pharmaceutical Services, and was nominated Scientific Director at Miulli Research (Italy). Her career spans global manufacturing and supply chain leadership across 10+ sites, large-scale integrations and turnarounds, cultural change, and strategic partnerships that accelerate innovation and growth.

Lauren Hudacik is Chief Operating Officer of Ascend, and President, ABL. and is responsible for overseeing operational performance and organizational growth across the two affiliated companies. Lauren has over 20 years of experience in the life sciences and biologics industry in positions spanning from research scientist to senior management, and has held key positions in Business Development, Strategic Initiatives, Project Management, and most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer of ABL. She is passionate about servant leadership and is an advocate for open, meaningful collaborations with our clients to yield the best results.

Dr. Markus Hörer joined Ascend in the transition from Freeline Therapeutics in February 2023 as the Chief Scientific Officer, leading the company CMC innovation and research and development (R&D) strategy. He was an original co-founder of Freeline (March 2015), serving as Chief Technology Officer and GmbH Managing Director. Markus applies more than 30 years of experience working in AAV biology as well as virus-based biologics development experience to tracking the latest research and process and analytical developments and keeping a pulse on enabling technologies and partnership opportunities.

Scott Broughton joined the Ascend team in August of 2024 to take responsibility for the commercial structure and strategy of the company. Most recently serving in leadership roles in cell and gene therapy manufacturing, Scott draws on decades of experience in planning, developing, and maintaining business relationships to meet operational targets. With early career experience in the technology and tools sectors, he has worked to align these global experiences into helping his teams exceed goals while they are helping customers advance medicine.

Mark Hazard joined Ascend in June 2025, bringing over 30 years of pharmaceutical experience gained working across the US, EU, and Asia. He has held senior leadership roles in Quality and Operations, including global responsibilities at Pfizer and Synageva. At Synageva, he led the design, construction, and qualification of five biopharmaceutical facilities that achieved regulatory approvals in the US, EU, and Japan for Kanuma. At Pfizer, he directed a global quality organization spanning multiple manufacturing sites to ensure a unified quality standard and pre-approval readiness. Mark holds an MS in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, a BS in Chemistry from Lambuth College, and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Karl Heller is the Munich Site Head for Ascend, guiding the activities for this critical location. He came to Ascend through the acquisition of Freeline Therapeutics GmbH, where he served as VP of CMC Development and Managing Director, drawing on just under three decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with core expertise in R&D, tech transfer and cGMP manufacturing. Karl is an expert at establishing process and analytical development groups in companies of varying sizes, as well as being an entrepreneur and founding his own company (VIVACS GmbH) to offer services in the field of vaccine design and development.

Michael Pinaud joined Ascend as Senior VP of Business Operations in July of 2024 with responsibility for the operational progression of the company, including further aligning the global sites. He leverages more than 20 years’ experience in manufacturing operations management across the biosecurity, pharmaceutical, and cell and gene therapy industries a hands-on approach to continuous improvement tools and methodologies. Michael was previously director of operations at various CDMOs and manufacturing firms in the industry, including Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Cognate BioServices, and Vor Bio.