Main Stage Talks

The work we all do is hard. There are many players. Decisions and plans can happen far away from the people on the ground. So as we hear from clinical executives and founders today, let’s also make sure we listen to those on the front lines. 

Kaye Doiron has spent years leading site operations across academic and industry settings, with a deep understanding of what frontline staff actually need.

As we navigate uncertainty on several fronts, a debate swirls around diversity in clinical trials, and it’s tempting for companies to pull back. 

Del Smith argues the opposite: this is a moment to lean in. He worked as an Information Systems Analyst for the US Army, as a college professor, and now a founder of a health tech company designed to reach underrepresented populations.

It’s not surprising that the work we do in this industry is hard. We have to solve problems across multiple vectors – biology, chemistry, IT, regulatory and ethics, business systems … and economics. And the dollars matter. 

Some of the most brilliant ideas in biotech never make it to patients — not because of flawed science, but because of flawed funding models.

A couple years ago, Bernadette Tosti led an Innovation Network Dive Team that sparked an idea…how might we re-think patient compensation based on clinical data? And she made sure that spark didn’t flame out.

This Spring, working with the Innovation Network and Professor Steve Calandrillo at the University of Washington School of law, she co-authored a paper that was published in the prestigious Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law and Ethics.

Study sponsors know the challenges of operational quality just as solution providers know the burden of painstaking vendor qualification. Most of the challenges facing clinical research aren’t new. Sometimes the barrier is not a matter of failing to see a problem … but feeling it’s too big to address.

Patty Leuchten has spent decades working across global teams to take on persistent and complicated problems. Problems that can feel unsolvable.

With everyone sharing the goal of collaboration, why is it so hard to implement? Why do smart people hold back at critical moments? The answer isn’t will. And it certainly isn’t incompetence. It’s all about trust.

Lindsay Daniel has spent her career leading global talent, culture, and learning functions across financial services, life sciences and health care. From C-suite teams to frontline staff, she’s helped organizations confront the invisible forces that stall innovation.

Susannah Fox sees a revolution brewing - not in boardrooms, but in living rooms, hospital rooms, and online communities. She is the former Chief Technology Officer of the US Department of Health and Human Services, and a longtime advocate for peer-driven innovation.

She's here to map the movement led by patients, survivors, and caregivers - and to show how tapping into their power isn't just the right thing to do. It's a competitive advantage.

When you think of the work that we do, what do you feel? Gratitude? Fear? Sometimes Sadness? Frustration? What about Awe?

The work we do sometimes can help save and improve lives -- at scale. And that is worthy of some awe.

Lindsey Wahlstrom

How can we imbue the magic of life-saving science with the magic of living?

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In this deeply personal talk, Lindsey Wahlstrom shares the lessons she learned as both a clinical research professional and a mother navigating her daughter Rona’s rare disease treatment.

Enrique Martinez-Gonzalez

How do we get outside of the garage and into the garden?

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Enrique challenges the way we think about innovation. Instead of a garage or assembly line, he sees it as an organic, interconnected process. Drawing from his work with top institutions, he argues that we’ve misunderstood innovation, getting stuck in myths like the “garage inventor.” For Enrique, innovation isn’t a rigid process, but a living ecosystem.

Dr. Tala Fakhouri

What is slowing down the usage of AI in Drug Development? Is AI just another hype? Or the key to unlocking drug development potential?

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With AI’s rapid advancements outpacing Moore’s Law, why hasn’t it dramatically improved the efficiency of pharmaceutical innovation? Dr. Fakhouri explores how AI could help us decipher the "language of biology" and streamline drug discovery, while addressing the myths and challenges that regulatory bodies like the FDA must navigate.

Lisa Moneymaker

How to learn from the past without repeating our mistakes?

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Lisa dives into the evolving role of data and AI in clinical trials, and the need to control for biases and historical underrepresentation in the data that trains AI models. “We can’t just copy and paste.”

Bill Illis

How can we go fast AND far in clinical trials to deliver the treatments patients need?

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Data interoperability is critical to clinical trials, ensuring systems and stakeholders work together smoothly. It’s like texting between iOS and Android—without alignment, communication falters. Bill highlights similar challenges in clinical trials, where a lack of standardized protocols leads to delays and fragmented data.

Laura Hilty

What does it take to turn visionary ideas into sustainable solutions? And what keeps that from happening?

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Despite countless great ideas, many fail to become lasting solutions. Laura explores the pitfalls that keep transformative innovations from reaching their potential. We must embrace risk intelligently, collaborate, and listen deeply to build for a change where we can save more lives through innovation.

Jonathan Norman

What is keeping patients worldwide from accessing life-changing research?

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The answer lies in the translation bottleneck. Outdated localization practices are excluding patients who could benefit most. Jonathan reveals how outdated localization practices impact inclusion and calls for a change. What can we do—as sponsors, tech vendors, and localization teams—to reduce barriers, making trials truly accessible for all?

Denise Bronner

Why is it important to transform vendors from rescuers to partners?

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Despite the industry's push for patient-centricity, vendor relationships in pharma often stay transactional. Denise shines a light on this and offers three ways to change the dynamic. How can we foster deeper collaboration between vendors and pharma—and why does it matter?

Julius Kusserow

How to use technology to accelerate, not as a set back?

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What is causing this friction between data managers and technology? Julius delves into the complexities of driving innovation within pharmaceutical organizations. Through real-world examples, Julius highlights how misalignment between processes and tools leads to inefficiency and frustration.

Laura O’Donnell

Is unseen friction creating uncomfortable blockage?

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Laura delves into the pressing issue of FRICTION in clinical trials—how it builds up unnoticed (...like a certain personal health issue) and blocks progress. Laura shares candid stories and industry data, pointing out key areas where friction slows enrollment and site performance.

Donna Mongiello

How can we build technology that we don’t have to hate?

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Donna dives into the necessity of future-proofing patient-facing technology in clinical trials, focusing on user-centric design and adaptability. With technology advancing at a rapid pace, trial software must evolve alongside it.