HI THERE! I’M KATE
ABOUT
I am a health care strategist, entrepreneur, mentor, world traveler and foodie. This is my personal blog where you can find my resume, my perspectives on precision health (my passion topic!), as well as fun things like travel stories and recipes.  Thanks for visiting my little corner of the internet.
MY EXPERIENCE
Background & Expertise
Growth strategy adviser to life sciences, health care, and technology companies navigating our complex industry ecosystem. Trusted, collaborative partner who energetically leads and inspires teams to achieve goals for aggressive growth, commercialization, new product launch, and strategic alliances. Highly strategic and holistic thinker and storyteller, whose approach to problem-solving combines inquiry, data, and unique experiences. Passionate about data science, artificial intelligence, cognitive, machine learning, IoT, wearables. Diversity & inclusion champion. Mentor & coach.
CONSULTANT, DELOITTE / PWC / INDEPENDENT
2009-Present
Lead engagements for Life Sciences Research & Development and Commercial services clients including pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device companies and start-ups. Have extensive experience serving health care provider clients including international and multi-state health systems, academic medical centers, Veterans Affairs, and national physician and data standards organizations. Have led digital strategy, medical affairs, supply chain, change management, innovation, and executive education engagements. Served as Chief of Staff to the National Health Care Practice Leader for 5 years. Ask me about my pro bono work with Project BEAD (Beating Eating Disorders), Veterans Affairs (West Side Institute for Science & Education), and Springboard Enterprises (Life Sciences Advisory Council).
PRESIDENT, CHICAGO HEALTH EXECUTIVES FORUM
2007-2013
Served as the youngest President of the largest chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Founded in 1976, CHEF grew to 2000 members during my three year presidency. Commissioned the development and production of over sixty well-attended continuing and networking programs on compelling topics. Developed a sponsorship strategy and securing over $100K in sponsorships over multiple years from leading healthcare companies including GE, Allscripts, McKesson, Philips, Cardinal Health, Care Fusion, JP Morgan, BCBS, and Thomson Reuters among other organizations. Email me for more information on association leadership.
R&DÂ PROJECT LEADER, TAP / TAKEDA / BAXTER
2001-2013
Led R&D projects in various roles at Takeda Global R&D, Inc., Baxter Healthcare Corp., TAP Pharmaceutical Products, Inc., and the Washington University in Saint Louis Office of Technology Management. My passion for R&D was sparked during my first "corporate job" as an analyst at TAP. Quickly learned there was a place for my strategic, organized brain among incredibly talented scientists, clinicians, engineers, statisticians, and attorneys! Will never forget the first time I mapped a process on a whiteboard...it was exhilarating! Email me for more information about my life sciences industry experience.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
1981-Present
Volunteerism and leadership are in my DNA. As the daughter of an academic and a healthcare administrator, I inherited a passion for teaching, inspiring, and leading. Here are the causes and affiliations that are important to me:
• Healthcare Information Management Systems Society: Annual Conference Reviewer, Clinical & Business Intelligence Community Member, ILHIMSS Advocacy Committee Member (Member since 2007)
• AdvaMed: International Committee Member (Member since 2015)
• American College of Healthcare Executives: Past President of the Chicago Chapter, National Service Award Recipient (Member since 2007)
• Ellevate (formerly 85 Broads): Chicago Chapter President (Member since 2008)
• Springboard Enterprises: Life Sciences Council Member (Member since 2012)
• Healthtech Women: Chicago Chapter President (Member since 2017)
• Harvard Medical School: Task Force on Financing Medical Education (2016-2018)
• Harvard Project for Asian & International Relations: Global Conference Speaker, Case Competition Organizer (Member since 2009)
• United State of Women: Chicago Ambassador (2019)
• Deloitte Midwest Life Sciences Portfolio Leadership Development Program (2019)
• Becker's Healthcare Rising Star Under 40 (June 2017, June 2018)
• Aparecio Foundation, Advisory Board Member and recipient of the 14 Under 45 Award
• State of Illinois Long Term Care & Aging Council, Ombudsman, Ombudsman of the Year AwardRecipient
EDUCATION
What I’ve Learned
2017-2018
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Earned a Certificate in Health Innovation through Penn's School of Medical Ethics & Health Policy. Completed coursework in Policy & Program Evaluation, Innovation, Health Economics, Operations, and the US Health Care System. Ask me about my most interesting class project: a patient wayfinding tool I am co-developing with a VA Medical Center.
2003-2005
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN SAINT LOUIS
Completed a BA in Economics and a Minor in Business. Participated in the Emergency Medicine Research Program ("EMSTAR") and will never forget the experience of interviewing patients in the ER waiting room at Barnes-Jewish Hospital about their barriers to urgent care. Ask me about Imo's, Ted Drewes, and float trips.
2001-2002
KNOX COLLEGE
Attended this gem of a Liberal Arts school for one year where I made lifelong friends, developed a passion for economics, and studied Japanese language and history. Ask me about the Prairie Fire.
1997-2000
WESTERN RESERVE ACADEMY
Finished my high school education at this incredible hub of learning, athletics, culture, and Northeastern Ohio natural beauty. Wish I could find my green blazer and class ring.
THESE ARE ORGANIZATIONS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
ELLEVATE NETWORK
SPRINGBOARD ENTERPRISES
UNITED STATE OF WOMEN
"Set impossible challenges. Then catch up with them."