ENVB - 30 Psychedelics Executives Scientists & Influencers To Watch In 2024 And Beyond | Benzinga
The emerging psychedelics industry is expanding rapidly across the globe. With research demonstrating promising therapeutic potential for substances like psilocybin and MDMA to treat mental health conditions, this sector has attracted growing attention and investment.
Recent research data indicates the global psychedelic drugs market was valued at $2.6 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to reach $7.1 billion by 2032, reflecting massive growth at a CAGR of 10.9%.
Key players and influential figures worldwide are helping drive innovation and acceptance around psychedelic medicines. Trailblazers in this industry come from diverse backgrounds including scientists, investors, advocates, publicists, journalists and policy reformers.
To track developments in this burgeoning field, we’ve spotlighted some of the most impactful international executives and influencers. From pioneering researchers leading clinical trials to outspoken thought leaders campaigning for legal access, these individuals represent the energy propelling psychedelics forward.
The following list of 30 standouts includes some of the biggest movers and shakers from various countries and companies, ranging from emerging startups to major corporations whose work collectively underscores the global scope of this mental health movement centered on psychedelic therapy. Though not exhaustive, this cross-section of global leaders provides key insights into progress and potential yet to come.
Janet Qi
An entrepreneurial force with 15+ years in corporate finance and strategic management roles, Janet Qi helms PurMinds Neuropharma's quest to pioneer new treatments for neurological conditions. Qi's razor-sharp business acumen and passion for improving patient lives underpin her trailblazing work at the intersection of science and business.
Dr. Anna Yusim
Dr. Anna Yusim is a Stanford and Yale-educated psychiatrist and executive coach. Her private practice clients include Forbes 500 CEOs, Olympic athletes, A-list actors and actresses and chairs of academic departments at top universities. Yusim is currently creating a Spirituality & Mental Health Center at Yale Medical School. She is a best-selling author and has published numerous academic articles, book chapters, scientific abstracts, book reviews and articles for the lay public on psychiatry and psychedelic medicine. A frequent contributor to CNN, Fox News, ABC, and NBC, Yusim has been a guest on 500+ national and international TV shows, radio programs and podcasts.
Kristina Spionjak
Kristina Spionjak is co-founder and managing director of HLTH Communications, a leading North American investor relations and communications agency serving healthcare clients. Based in the UK, Kristina is a sought-after events and public relations professional who has repeatedly been recognized as one of the #9 on Quoted Top 100 PR List for high-quality interactions with reporters and proven success in securing media coverage.
Marik Hazan
Marik Hazan is an engineer, advocate, entrepreneur, investor and self-proclaimed anthropofuturist who works in "moonshot" and contrarian sectors. He is the founding partner of psychedelic startups incubator Tabula Rasa Ventures and runs the massive psychedelics conference PSYCHED. Hazan is also executive director of the Energia Foundation, an organization dedicated to leveraging novel treatments "for increasing the efficacy of human coordination.”
Shayla Love
Shayla Love is a freelance science journalist and a staff reporter for The Guardian and Psyche. Starting as a senior staff writer at VICE, Love has extensively covered psychedelic research, culture, ethics and business. Her work has also appeared in publications like The New Yorker, The New York Times, WIRED, Scientific American and Harper's. Love holds a master’s degree from Columbia University in science, environment and medicine journalism, and has received several awards and fellowships including The Ferriss-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Journalism Fellowship.
Doug Drysdale
Doug Drysdale holds over 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector, as well as a bachelor’s degree in microbial and molecular biology from the University of East Anglia (U.K.) Within his first year [2020] as chairman and CEO of clinical-stage psychedelics biotech Cybin Inc. (NYSE: CYBN), Drysdale rebuilt the management team and board of directors and formed a 220-person sales team with fully supporting functions. His efforts increased the pharmaceutical company’s value from $80 million to around $800 million. Under Drysdale’s leadership, Cybin raised $465 million in capital.
Bia Labate
Dr. Beatriz Caiuby Labate (or Bia Labate) is co-founder and executive director of ...