A Conversation with Hamid Ghanadan

Wed May 13 2026 at 04:00 pm to 06:30 pm UTC-05:00

222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza | Chicago

MATTER
Publisher/HostMATTER
A Conversation with Hamid Ghanadan
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Join us at MATTER to discuss Hamid Ghanadan’s latest book.
About this Event

On Wednesday, May 13, we welcome , founder and CEO of , to discuss his new book .

Attend this event if your work depends on persuading scientists, clinicians or technical experts. Whether you're a sales professional, marketer, founder or executive in life sciences or healthcare, you already know: presenting data alone doesn’t drive action. That’s because technical professionals think — and buy — differently.

Join MATTER CEO Steven Collens as he leads a conversation with Hamid Ghanadan to uncover what really drives behavior change with technical audiences. Hamid will discuss his breakthrough new book, which draws on three decades of experience leading strategy for the world’s most complex scientific markets to introduce a repeatable, proven framework for influencing the most discerning audiences.

After the discussion, join us for a networking reception.


Agenda (CT)

4:00pm | Doors open*

4:30pm | Fireside chat

5:30pm | Networking + Reception

6:30pm | Event concludes

*Note the first 50 attendees to arrive will receive a free copy of Not Buying It.


Event Photos

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Hamid Ghanadan always wanted to find a third way. Being strongly encouraged by his family to study medicine or engineering, he found a third way to study both art and science. 

Exploring his job options, he was again encouraged by his advisors to choose between a career as a biochemist either in academia or in industry. Instead, Hamid founded the strategy firm — LINUS — in 1996, dedicating his career to studying human behavior within technical environments, and developing new models for marketing, strategic communications, future visioning and strategic planning. 

This path has offered Hamid many opportunities to find a third way. He is the author of two other books: Persuading Scientists and Catalytic Experiences. He is a frequent speaker at many industry events as well as the global stage at TEDx and he is proud to have won several honors, including the SAMPS Lifetime Achievement Award and MM+M’s Pinnacle award. 


ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Steven Collens is CEO of MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub. MATTER helps healthcare innovators achieve their goals faster and more efficiently and increases the odds of their success. MATTER has incubated more than 1,100 healthcare technology ventures and helps leading health systems, life sciences companies, payers and foundations activate innovation to advance their goals.

Prior to assuming his current role, Steven was senior vice president at Pritzker Group, the investment firm led by Tony and J.B. Pritzker. In that capacity, he led the team that created 1871, Chicago’s center for digital startups, which became the top-ranked business incubator in the world in 2018. He previously worked at Abbott in a variety of domestic and international functions, including product management, policy and public affairs. Prior to Abbott, Steven served as legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun.

Steven holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BA from Washington University in St. Louis. He chairs the board of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and serves on the boards of 1871 and the Chicago High School for the Arts. He is a member of ChicagoNEXT, the Chicago mayor’s council on technology and innovation, a Leadership Greater Chicago fellow, and a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the Commercial Club of Chicago.

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, 222 West Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, United States

Tickets

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