Fighting to be a True Stakeholder in Clinical Research and Impacting Diversity and Inclusion

Deirdre BeVard currently serves as SVP, R&D Strategic Operations for CSL. In this role she leads a multi-functional “nerve center” for R&D designed to leverage and connect capabilities across the organization to integrate the business management of R&D; enable data driven insights & decisions; provide operational excellence; enable high performing teams and embed patient focus into the delivery of a diverse and innovative portfolio. Strategic Operations includes Clinical Development Operations, R&D Project & Portfolio Management, Integrated Business Operations, R&D Enabling Technology, R&D Patient Partnerships, and R&D Japan.Previously Ms BeVard has led Clinical Development Operations organizations at Nektar Therapeutics, Endo Pharmaceuticals and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.  She also held significant leadership roles establishing innovative models dedicated to bringing clinical trials to community physicians and their patients.  Additionally, her background includes working in a CRO and a start-up software company. This diversity of experience has given her a broad and global perspective of the clinical research industry.Ms BeVard strives be a servant leader who operates with humble confidence and a healthy curiosity about people, projects and process. Her leadership expertise is in creating inclusive teams and environments that allow for innovation, performance excellence and personal development.  She has been awarded an HBA Rising Star and PharmaVoice 100 of the Most Inspiring People for Change Agent category.Ms BeVard’s professional passion is in partnering with patients and their providers for increased and optimized opportunities for clinical trials.

Karen Peterson is the Founder and Chief Patient Advocate of Karen’s Club, Ms Peterson was inspired to help other patients of color, understand the complex and sometimes skeptical world of clinical trials.  A Stage IV Triple Negative Breast cancer survivor, Ms Peterson is also a founding member of the Patient Community Council at Foundation Medicine, a consultant for Blue Note Therapeutics and a Cancer Research Institute- Immuno Advocate.  Ms Peterson was the featured patient speaker at the Biden Cancer Initiative’s 2019 presentation at ASCO, and the 2020 Inaugural AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report presented to Congress.  Her inspiring story has been shared with Cure, Essence, Health and People magazines as well as ABC Radio Networks “Perspective” and The Today Show.  Lastly, Ms Peterson successfully completed the exclusive 2021 Robin Hood/Blue Ridge Labs Fellowship Program, where she co-created (with her partner Nava Friedman) the highly anticipated advocacy platform https://www.karensclub.org/