Meet the compass team

Brett Forrest is the founder of Compass since its inception in 2008. Previously, Brett held leadership positions in the biopharmaceutical industry at Genentech and Eli Lilly. Brett is passionate about helping life science leaders achieve their goals by providing flexible, comprehensive solutions that drive results. Brett prides himself on creating a positive culture at Compass and connecting great people with great companies to further advance science and help patients across the globe.

Brett holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business from the University of Massachusetts, and a Master’s in business administration from Pepperdine University. 

Brett enjoys spending time with his wife and two children doing a variety of outdoor activities including skiing, hiking, tennis and taking his dog Harper out for early morning walks. 

As the Director of Recruiting, Justin helps our clients and amazing recruiters find and place great candidates. He has many years of experience in the life science industry and enjoys meeting new candidates and helping them get their foot in the door at large biotech and pharma organizations.

When Justin isn’t working, he enjoys time with his family and playing outside with his daughter.

As the Director of Business Development on the East Coast, Steve is a crucial part of expanding Compass's reach in the biotech space. Steve enjoys partnering with clients who want to make a difference in the world of medicine, curing diseases and improving quality of life for others around the world.

Outside of the office, Steve is a sports fan, and enjoys boating and fishing. He is also a supporter of the South Boston Neighborhood House, more commonly known as "The Ollie," an organization that aims to support South Bostonian families who are experiencing social and economic stress.

As the head of Compass Human Resources, Jessie is an integral part of the Compass journey for both employees and consultants. She is passionate about creating a positive work culture, open communication lines, and a diverse and inclusive workplace. Jessie is an ever-present positive force at Compass and is fueled by the connections she makes with both external and internal employees.

When Jessie isn’t helping our team, you can find her hiking, playing tennis and spending time with her husband and two children. She is passionate about organizations that serve the underserved and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties.

As a Senior Recruiter at Compass, Stefanie is passionate about helping her candidates achieve their professional and financial goals. She has always enjoyed helping others achieve their goals by keeping an open mind and operating from a place of curiosity. 

“As a recruiter, I love supporting and helping people navigate their job search and feel rewarded when ultimately changing their lives when they land their dream job. It’s not lost on me the time and energy it takes to take on a new job search and I feel fortunate they have given me the opportunity to help them.”

When Stefanie is not working, she enjoys time with her children, friends or travelling to Southern California. She enjoys being active and is always seeking to grow and learn.

As a recruiter at Compass, Shannon is passionate about helping people. She finds her own personal fulfillment in guiding candidates on their career journey. Her candidates always feel very supported and she is the ultimate cheerleader when you find the right fit at a great company.

When Shannon isn’t working, she enjoys time with her family and weekends full of sporting events for her boys. She enjoys travel, time with friends and helping children with learning disabilities.

As a Recruiter at Compass, Lisa has a long history of working with candidates in many different industries. Lisa was drawn to the life science industry because she feels her best work is done when she’s connecting candidates to jobs that make a big impact on the world.

Lisa is passionate about her candidates and feels most rewarded when she helps them land their dream job. She will walk you through the opportunities and guide you so that you can share your best self to the employer.

When Lisa isn’t working, she enjoys fitness, travel, and spending time with her husband and two children.  And yes, if her voice sounds familiar to you it’s because she’s a famous voice over star.

As a Recruiter at Compass, Jay enjoys meeting job seekers and helping them to find new and exciting opportunities. He enjoys the process of getting to know candidates and learning all about their experience and what their future goals are. Jay feels the excitement of his candidates and is passionate about helping to find a fit both culturally and professionally. 

When Jay isn’t working, he enjoys bike rides, trying out new foods, tequila tasting and watching movies.  

As a Compass Recruiter, Melissa "Mel" is excited about rediscovering her passion in helping candidates find opportunities that will excel their professional lives and improve their personal lives. She brings a deeply-rooted excitement to the team by understanding the people she works with and finding ways she can support them. Mel's connections with others inspires her to make a difference in the overall well being of her colleagues, candidates and clients alike. 

Outside of Compass, Mel enjoys cooking, dancing and being a mom to her three wonderful boys. She has an obsession with home organization and thoroughly enjoys solving other families' organizational needs. Mel is also very passionate about One Heart Source, a humanitarian organization that combats conditions such as poverty, diseases and illiteracy through education. She participated as a summer volunteer teacher in Tanzania and credits the organization for shaping her into the person she is today. 

As a Compass recruiter, Lexie brings in 15 years of experience in leadership and employee growth and development. She's incredibly passionate about helping candidates find and accept new opportunities, ultimately leading her to start her recruiting career in the life science industry. Her favorite part about connecting with Compass candidates and clients is witnessing the excitement the candidates exude and making an impact on their lives.

Outside of the office, Lexie enjoys going to the farmers' market on Saturdays with her son so she can find the best produce to use in her family dinners. She enjoys cooking, reading, knitting, restoring furniture, and spending time with her family and friends. Lexie is also passionate about supporting organizations that are looking to educate the community about Congenital Heart Defects (CHD).

As a Human Resource and Operations Specialist at Compass, Jessy is an integral part of the onboarding journey at Compass. She takes pride in making sure that our employees and consultants are informed, educated, and supported throughout the process. With knowledge and kindness, she is there to support you every step of the way.

When Jessy isn’t providing a helping hand, she enjoys getting her hands in her garden, playing guitar, and camping with her husband and two children.