In this episode, Suzanne shares how her first job supporting a physician-researcher at a cancer center sparked a passion that led to a career in biotech leadership. With a sociology and economics degree in hand, she taught herself how trials worked from the ground up — navigating protocols, patient care, operations, and regulatory realities.
Today, she’s an influential voice in clinical development, fractional leadership, and industry transformation.
💡 Key takeaways:
- Why clinical operations welcomes talent from all backgrounds — and how she made it in
- The importance of mentors *and* sponsors when navigating biotech
- Why she’s a passionate advocate for fractional leadership roles — especially in today’s market
- Her take on clinical trial technology and the role AI might play in accelerating outcomes
- What we still get wrong about trust, data, and efficiency in biotech innovation
And most importantly — Suzanne’s commitment to lifting others as she rises, and paying forward the support that helped shape her path.
Her message for those just starting out? “You can crack this field from almost anywhere. Be curious. Be resilient. And don’t give up.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:14 Career Beginnings in Bioscience
06:36 Navigating the Clinical Research Landscape
09:31 The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship
14:01 Empowering Women in Leadership
18:58 Fractional Roles and Industry Challenges
21:16 Navigating Career Transitions in a Challenging Market
24:09 The Rise of Fractional Roles in Business
27:38 Adapting to Market Changes: The Need for Flexibility
32:41 Embracing Technology in Clinical Development
37:15 Advice for Aspiring Professionals in ClinicalOperations
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