California Life Sciences Association (CLSA), the trade association representing California’s life sciences sector, has appointed Molly Fishman as director of Federal Government Relations based in CLSA’s Washington, D.C.. office. Fishman joins CLSA following many years on Capitol Hill, where she most recently served as legislative director for U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier. CLSA advances California’s life sciences sector by advocating for effective national, state and local public policies and supporting entrepreneurs and life sciences businesses.
 
As director of Federal Government Relations, Fishman assists CLSA’s Washington, D.C., office in the development and implementation of outreach, education and legislative advocacy programs, as well as building and maintaining alliances with CLSA member companies, partner associations and other affiliate organizations.
 
“With her health policy and leadership experience on Capitol Hill, coupled with her extensive knowledge of California’s life sciences sector, Molly Fishman is an excellent addition to CLSA’s premier policy and advocacy team,” said CLSA President and CEO Mike Guerra. “As life sciences innovators are investing heavily in R&D to tackle some of the most difficult and devastating diseases, they also face increasing coverage and payment challenges, a changing tax and fiscal environment, pressure on science funding and more. This is a critical time for CLSA to strengthen our advocacy presence in Washington, D.C., continue bringing fresh ideas and solutions to policymakers and drive more value for our membership. Molly will be central to our efforts in developing stronger ties with California’s Congressional Delegation, as well as helping raise the profile of CLSA member priorities in Washington.”
 
Prior to joining CLSA, Fishman served for five years in Speier's Washington, D.C., office. During her tenure, she held several positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately serving as legislative director, where she managed the legislative staff, was responsible for planning and executing the legislative agenda and oversaw the staff work for the Congresswoman’s role on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and House Armed Services Committee. Fishman also managed a legislative portfolio of issues including healthcare, social security and disability, education, and women’s rights, and served as the staff liaison to the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus (co-chair) and the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus (co-chair). She previously worked for U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) for four years. As a legislative aide, Fishman supported the senator’s roles on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and the Senate Committee on Finance by assisting with a portfolio of legislative issues including education, child welfare and health. Prior to Bennet’s office, she served as a congressional intern in the office of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).
 
Fishman graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
 
California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) is the state’s largest and most influential life sciences advocacy and business leadership organization. With offices in Sacramento, San Diego, South San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., CLSA works closely with industry, government, academia and others to shape public policy, improve access to innovative technologies and grow California’s life sciences economy. CLSA serves biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics companies, research universities and institutes, investors and service providers throughout the Golden State. CLSA was founded in 2015 when the Bay Area Bioscience Association (BayBio) and the California Healthcare Institute (CHI) merged.