Leadership - Pacific Northwest Research Institute

Executive Leadership

PNRI is a small, lean, and independent biomedical institute. Our structure is nimble and flexible, with an administrative team built around a core value of supporting the scientists in their pursuit of discovery. Together, we are improving human health for generations to come.

Jack Faris, PhD

Interim Chief Executive Officer

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Jack Faris, PhD, brings a wealth of experience to his role as interim CEO, including a prior term as the acting CEO of PNDRI (Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute) from 2010 – 2011.

Before rejoining PNRI, Dr. Faris held positions as an independent consultant, most recently serving as board chair for the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth. His other independent consulting projects include developing a communications strategy for the Washington Global Health Alliance, participating in the planning for the Initiative for Global Development’s National Summit on global poverty, strategic consulting for clean, low-cost energy through advanced materials at the University of Washington, and co-leading Foster Promise, which seeks to improve foster care for children state-wide.  

Previously, Dr. Faris held significant leadership roles, notably as the president of the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association for four years. He also served as vice president of university relations at the University of Washington, director of community strategies for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and director of communications for the Rural Development Institute (now Landesa).

His commitment to community involvement is exemplified by his board leadership roles in numerous organizations such as the Seattle Public Library Foundation, Urban Enterprise Center, Business Volunteers for the Arts, Washington Commission for the Humanities, Seattle International Children’s Festival, and the University of Washington’s Clean Energy Institute.

Dr. Faris earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a master’s degree and PhD from the University of Chicago.

Dionne Gordon

Chief Financial Officer

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Dionne Gordon is the Chief Financial Officer at PNRI where she manages and oversees accounting, financial planning and analysis, grants management, and purchasing. She brings to the position over 20 years of tax, audit, finance and accounting management experience with local and global companies. Most recently, Dionne was the Corporate Controller at TwinStrand Biosciences where she built the finance department and supported several rounds of record-breaking fundraising efforts. She earned her undergraduate degree from University of the Pacific, post-graduate management degree from University of California, Berkeley, and an advanced certification from the Internal Revenue Service.

Shannon Bowen

Chief Advancement Officer

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Shannon Bowen is the Chief Advancement Officer for PNRI where she oversees both development and communications. She brings 17 years of development and communications experience and has a long track record of securing six-and-seven-figure gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entities. Previous positions include Senior Director of Development for the Center for Environmental Health, Vice President of Development for Making Waves Foundation, and Director of Development and Communications at Civicorps. Shannon earned her BA from Trinity University and is a board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Advancement Northwest.

Justin Dukes

Director of Operations

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Justin Dukes is the Director of Operations for PNRI where he oversees information technology, building facilities, animal facilities, glass wash, systems engineering, and tenant relations. Justin has held a variety of roles in IT and systems engineering with several companies before joining PNRI as the IT Director, and then advanced to Director of Operations.

Lisa Latendresse, SPHR

Director Human Resources

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Lisa Latendresse, SPHR is the Director of Human Resources (HR) for PNRI. Lisa brings her extensive global HR experience in several industries including healthcare and tech to her position. Her areas of expertise include recruitment, benefits, compensation, employee relations, organizational development, immigration, training and development, managing change, performance management, talent engagement, HR tech, coaching and mentoring, and HR strategy design/alignment/execution. Previously, she was the Head of People for Route Line and the AVP, Senior Human Resources Business Partner for OYO USA. Along with her HR-subject-matter expertise, Lisa brings a strong business acumen as she was previously the CEO of two software companies and an HR consultant. She is a developer of people who is committed to the success of the team and the accomplishment of their career goals. Lisa earned her BA from the University of Washington and her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the Human Resources Certification Institute.

Gina Marchesini

Research and Administrative Services Manager

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Gina Marchesini, MPA is the Research and Administrative Services Manager for PNRI where she oversees the team who supports business operations leaders and principal investigators through collaborative project management planning and development and budgeting and timeline performance to ensure advancement of the common goal. She is an experienced program and project manager in the fields of medical and social science research and education. Previously, Gina was the Translational Research Program Manager and Administrator for Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason. She earned her Master of Public Administration and her BA from the University of Washington. For over 20 years, Gina has committed herself to supporting the scientific community to drive science forward.

Scientific Leadership

PNRI currently has five independent labs each led by a principal scientist. Each lab pursues answers to fundamental questions about how genetics contributes to our innate ability to remain resilient to or to succumb to disease development.