Meet the Leadership

Manny Soman

Chief Executive Officer

Manny has a proven track record of growing and building successful global businesses and practices. He has more than 30 years of leadership experience, encompassing Life Science services, IT/Systems consulting services, and technology innovations. Prior to joining Verista, Manny was President & CEO of Sciformix that was acquired by Labcorp, Operations Leader of HP in EMEA region, COO of Patni Computers, Global IT Business Leader for Genpact and MD & CEO of Deloitte, India. He has worked in several regions across the world, including the US, Europe, India and the Far East.

Dan White

Chief Operating Officer

Dan has over 25 years of experience working in the clinical development industry, including hospital/clinic environments and the Contract Research organization (CRO) industry in strategic roles. Prior to joining Verista, Dan was SVP GM and Global Head of Functional Service Provider (FSPx) for Labcorp Drug Development, VP of Global Operations at ICON plc, and VP, Global Head of Project Management at IQVIA.

He earned a BSN in Nursing from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and received his MBA in Health/Health Care Administration/Management from Binghamton University School of Management,
Binghamton, NY.

Bill Murray

Chief Financial Officer

Bill has 25+ years of experience in financial transactions, healthcare operations, and international management. He oversees Verista’s accounting, treasury, finance, risk management, budgeting, and reporting functions.

Prior to joining Verista, Bill was CFO of multiple PE-backed companies and exits, including MPower Practice Management, a spine and neurosurgery clinical services company; Seamless Medical Systems, a healthcare technology startup (sold to Getwellnetwork); MedSynergies, a PE-backed national physician services provider (sold to Optum); and Allegro Development Corporation, an international energy software development and consulting firm. He also held executive positions at Mary Kay/Richmont Marketing Specialists and a European financial institution in New York. Bill is active in the community, serving on the Board of Trustees and as President of Lauchability, a charity providing support and opportunities to adults with cognitive disabilities. He has an MBA from Columbia University and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Dublin.

Akhil Verma

Senior Vice President, M&A and Integrations

Akhil brings a deep business background across the finance, M&A, integrations, global technology operations, and human capital spectrum. This unique combination of cross-functional capabilities support Verista’s “buy-build-grow” vision under its Private Equity-held company context.

Prior to Verista, Akhil led multiple finance organizations (Head of Internal M&A at KPMG, CFO at KPMG’s APAC Consulting, and Global CFO at MobiApps) and technology services and operations (Global Head of Analytics Delivery at MarketTools; Head of Insurance Services at L&T Infotech’s Americas Region, and SVP at WNS Americas). Akhil has also consulted for Spencer Stuart and Heidrick & Struggles.

Akhil’s experiences are rounded out by his cultural fluency, having lived and worked as an executive across five continents, leading teams in his various roles at massive scale. Akhil has an MBA from New Hampshire College, is a certified Executive Coach from Columbia University, and has completed Data Science and Analytics Programming certification programs at MIT.

Scott Kobayashi

Vice President, Internal Operations

Scott has been in the Life Sciences his whole career, with 20+ years of experience in the industry. After co-founding Delta PM in 2006 and spending several years in Validation, Project Management, and Account Management roles, Scott became CEO of Delta PM in 2018, which was acquired by Verista in 2022. Scott is currently responsible for internal functions at Verista, including HR, IT, and Quality & Training. He is passionate about people, company culture, and leveraging technology to make businesses more efficient. Scott is a San Francisco Bay Area native, and his personal interests include Cal Athletics (Go Bears!), golf, and home cooking. Scott graduated from the University of California, Berkeley.

Feras Al-Zubaidy

Global Leader, Digital Transformation

Feras has 30 years of biotech experience, ranging from QC to manufacturing to validation. Feras was a co-founder of Delta PM, in which he was initially the CEO, overseeing Delta’s growth in the West Coast. After that, Feras moved on to an Executive Chair position where he supervised Delta’s geographical expansion into New England, Texas and the Mid-Atlantic, as well as launching new service lines, which included technology transfer support. Feras ensured Delta PM’s staff engaged as thought leaders with ISPE, and in doing so has developed into a champion and mentor of emerging trailblazers. Feras is on the board of the San Francisco ISPE chapter, having once acted as the Program Committee Chair. Feras’s role at Verista will see him establish the company as the most admired Digital Transformation service provider to the Life Sciences industry.

Michael Zanette

Senior Vice President, Delivery Operations

Mike graduated from the Pennsylvania State University and has been working in the pharmaceutical field for approximately 25 years. He has achieved certification as a quality auditor by the American Society of Quality and received his PMP from the Project Management Institute. Through his multifaceted work experience, he has become an industry-known expert specializing in operations, automation, integration, validation, and regulatory compliance. He has executed projects and supported clients both domestic and international. Mike was a principal at Covex, LLC, helping to launch that company and drive its growth and success as the Vice President of Operations. Mike is now responsible for the delivery of all client-facing operations at Verista.

Susan Najjar

Vice President, Marketing

Susan is a senior marketing and business development strategy executive with a passion for delivering business results, growth, market strategy, innovation, and client delight. She has a wide range of experience in the Life Sciences industry, including marketing, business development, management consulting, and engineering. Prior to Verista, Susan held leadership roles at Labcorp, Sciformix (acquired by Labcorp), Thermo Fisher, Gillette, and Deloitte Consulting. She has a track record of successfully growing businesses, delivering results, managing teams, and earning the trust of clients. She has an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management and an MS in Biochemical & Chemical Engineering from Tufts University.