​Maryland entrepreneur, CEO, investor, and advisor, Deborah Hemingway, PhD, Managing Partner, Ecphora Capital, welcomes special guest Tom Coale, Partner, Perry Jacobson.

​Schedule

​11:30am - Networking + Lunch

​12:00pm - Fireside Chat + Discussion

​Overview

​Inside Influence is part of Ecphora’s ongoing Entrepreneur Seminar Series, designed to bring together leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across Maryland’s bioeconomy for open, thought-provoking conversations that go beyond the headlines.

​This session will focus on the art — and impact — of government relations in shaping Maryland’s life sciences ecosystem.

​Featured Guest

​Tom Coale, Partner, Perry Jacobson
Tom is an experienced attorney and lobbyist with a focus on housing and community development. His expertise in real estate and housing issues has garnered attention in prominent publications such as The Baltimore Sun, Money Magazine, Maryland Matters, and Greater Washington.

In 2024, Tom made headlines by representing the largest independent music venue on the East Coast in successfully advocating for legislation that reformed secondary ticket sales in Maryland, including a ban on “speculative tickets.” That same year, he played a crucial role for a leader in the renewable energy field in championing the Brighter Tomorrow Act, which secured the future of Maryland’s solar market and expanded access to aggregate net metering (ANEM) projects for nonprofits and local governments. Additionally, he worked tirelessly on behalf of various clients to support Governor Wes Moore’s “Housing Expansion and Affordability Act,” facilitating the up-zoning of properties across the state to promote affordable housing.

Tom’s accolades include listings in Super Lawyers for Land Use & Zoning from 2021 to 2025 and recognition in Best Lawyers in America for Land Use & Zoning and Land Use Litigation for 2023-2024. He was also honored in Marquis Who’s Who in 2024. He was also named a “VIP: Successful by 40” honoree by The Daily Record in 2021.

Tom earned his Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center and his Bachelor of Arts from Lycoming College. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership. Tom lives in Ellicott City.

​Fireside Chat

​The session will feature a fireside chat exploring:

• ​How government relations influence regional innovation and growth

• ​The evolving relationship between policymakers and the life sciences community

• ​Practical insights for leaders and entrepreneurs engaging in advocacy

​The conversation will be followed by audience Q&A and networking.

​Audience

​Invited guests include members of Maryland’s biohealth community — entrepreneurs, investors, policy professionals, and ecosystem leaders — interested in understanding how advocacy and influence drive innovation.

​Goals

• ​Foster candid discussion around the role of policy and advocacy in Maryland’s innovation ecosystem

• ​Strengthen relationships across business, government, and community stakeholders

• ​Inspire actionable collaboration that moves the region forward

​Sponsors

​ECPHORA CAPITAL

​Ecphora Capital is an early-stage medtech venture firm in Baltimore supporting the state’s most promising medical device and biotech companies. Learn more.

​BIOBUZZ NETWORKS

​A leading life sciences ecosystem builder, BioBuzz has grown a vibrant community of industry professionals and leaders across the Mid-Atlantic that captures the attention of a national audience. Since our inception, we’ve remained community-focused, community-forward, & community-driven. That’s why thousands of industry professionals trust BioBuzz as an authority for industry insights and networking. Learn more.

​FULTON BANK

​Fulton Bank supports your growth from concept to market. Life sciences and technology sectors are rapidly evolving and their Life Sciences & Technology Group is transforming the way they support your unique needs.

​From vaccines to medical devices and from cyber to ag tech, Fulton's expertise enables you to focus on making a difference, not on day-to-day finances. Whatever stage you’re in—startup, early growth, or established company—our dedicated team offers products, services, and resources designed to help you succeed. Learn more.

​LAUNCHPORT

​The LaunchPort™ is a medtech manufacturing accelerator located in Baltimore’s Port Covington. The combined manufacturing and Medtech acceleration center allows medical device start-ups and emerging technology developers the ability to co-locate at an experienced, regulated medical device manufacturing center.

​As part of that residency, they can tap into core services (e.g. financial operating systems, quality system development, supply chain activities, regulatory submission/compliance support, reimbursement and revenue model development), while allowing them to focus capital resources on developing critical core competencies. Learn more.