Monica Roy is the co-founder and CEO of Seascape Clinical, a Northern California-based brand offering cloud-based clinical trial management software to help research teams handle clinical trial data more effectively. Monica has worked in the clinical operations space for over thirteen years and believes that by keeping track of clinical trial information, teams can spend more time developing the creative and strategic aspects of their work. In addition to her work at Seascape Clinical, Monica has worked with companies including Bioclinica (Synarc), Clovis Oncology, Gilead Sciences, Myovant Sciences, and AbbVie, in topic areas such as liver disease, women's health, and oncology.

Today, Monica joins me to discuss Seascape Clinical's niche in the clinical research industry and her journey to launching the brand. She shares her insights into clinical trial management systems, the gap she saw in the clinical research space regarding data management, and how Seascape Clinical meets this need. Monica also highlights the uncertainty that can arise along the entrepreneurial journey and the importance of embracing unforeseen challenges.

“The things that you take for granted... those are clear indicators of the direction that you should be going in.” - Monica Roy

Today on When She Founded:

• What a CTMS system is and why Seascape Clinical struggled to call their product a CTMS system
• Monica's views on entrepreneurship and her journey to leave the corporate world
• Insight into how clinical trials and operations work and a problem that Monica has encountered in virtually every company she has worked at
• How the clinical operations space typically handles data, and the role of Excel
• How Monica found her co-founder and the importance of finding the right fit
• Who Monica consulted when faced with the "blank slate" of entrepreneurship
• How the brain responds to complexity and uncertainty and the importance of willingness along the entrepreneurial journey
• Where Seascape Clinical is today, the impact of COVID-19, and the most significant challenge Seascape Clinical currently faces
• The importance of looking beyond your industry "silo" for insight
• Where the name Seascape Clinical came from

Resources Mentioned:

• Adnexi

Connect with Monica Roy:

• Seascape Clinical
• Monica Roy on LinkedIn

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With over fifteen years of experience in the medical device field, Dr. Kate Stephenson is an engineer, researcher, and the founder of technical consulting firm Dyad Engineering, LLC, a company that emphasizes technological strategy and planning for new medical devices. Kate earned her doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, and her interests lie in developing products that can reach underserved markets, including the pediatric and women’s health spaces. Kate is also a public speaker and writer and teaches martial arts to children with special needs in her spare time.

Today, Kate joins me to discuss her firm Dyad Engineering, LLC, how she serves her clients, and how she felt transitioning to entrepreneurship from the corporate world. Kate explains how the design process can shift depending on your positioning and strategic goals and how she has navigated the male-dominated mechanical engineering industry. Kate also highlights the mechanical engineering landscape, including how she has positioned herself as a consultant, and how technology provides the opportunity for more people to connect and make an impact through innovation.

“One of the hardest things you do when you start a company is identifying where your most valuable contribution is.” - Kate Stephenson

Today on When She Founded:

• Why Kate started her firm, Dyad Engineering and the meanings behind the name
• The medical industry sectors Kate has worked in and the products she has designed
• The career barriers, assumptions, and expectations Kate faced because of her age and gender, and why diversity in engineering is so critical
• Kate’s experience attending Stanford University, why she chose to become an engineer, and why she decided to get a PhD
• The role of professional consultants and how they can challenge existing beliefs and bring new ideas to light
• How being part of the “Sandwich Generation” has impacted Kate’s career decisions
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kate, both personally and professionally
• How Kate sees the future of health tech from a product design perspective and the role of the emergency use authorization on development
• The three main areas Kate works in and the characteristics of her ideal client base

Resources Mentioned:

• Xinova
• Xinova Blog: Dr. Kate Stephenson

Connect with Kate Stephenson:

• Dyad Engineering
• Katherine J. Stephenson, Ph.D. on LinkedIn
• Dyad Engineering on LinkedIn

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Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of When She Founded with your host, Somer Hamrick. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, connect with Somer on LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media.

COVID-19 has inevitably changed the entire world and continues to cause massive shifts as we try to keep track of where we are and where we are headed. The clinical research landscape is no exception when it comes to the impact of COVID-19. While navigating these uncertain waters, however, I have gained useful industry insights that have impacted my work at Channel Clinical and my understanding of the current state of clinical trials.

In today’s episode, I discuss what has been going on for me lately as well as updates on Channel Clinical and some of our recent deals. I share some of my industry observations related to COVID-19, my insight into the role of subject matter experts in clinical trials, and the things to consider when it comes to global health and development strategy. I also highlight a current survey Channel Clinical is launching and how you can participate.

“Really get out there if you have something that you think may be a game changer.” - Somer Hamrick

Today on When She Founded:

• Interesting food facts that I learned over the weekend
• The shifting landscape of COVID-19 and its impact on the clinical trial space
• A brief survey that Channel Clinical is launching and the aim of this survey
• Positive outcomes of this COVID-19 era, specifically when it comes to outsourcing
• Recent Channel Clinical deals and the spaces these deals are in
• How COVID-19 has served as a learning opportunity and the insights I have gained
• Global health and development strategies you need to remember as we move forward beyond the pandemic
• What to consider when it comes to strategic partnerships and proposals
• The importance of identifying and strategically partnering with subject matter experts and opinion leaders in the space

Resources Mentioned:

• Channel Clinical Survey Information
• Department of Defense
• USAID
• InTec, LLC.

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Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of When She Founded with your host, Somer Hamrick. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, connect with Somer on LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media.

Sabrina Thompson Mitchell is a highly regarded media professional whose career has included work in filmmaking, directing, and photography. Sabrina is the owner of KUU Productions, where she works with A-level clients, including HBO, Saks Fifth Ave, and RocNation Sports, among others. Sabrina served as the Women’s March’s official photographer and was selected by Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign team to document the campaign journey, highlighting moments related to women of color and the Mothers of the Movement. Sabrina is also the co-founder of the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) and works to empower and uplift diverse young women in the industry. Sabrina’s work has been highlighted on NBC and Entertainment Tonight, as well as The New York Times, Vogue, People, and ESSENCE.

Today, Sabrina joins me to share the twists and turns of her career journey, including how she was impacted by being a finalist on SURVIVOR. She shares some of the inequities in the entertainment sector and how the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network offers a community of sisterhood while protecting and defending women of color in entertainment, technology, and business. She also highlights what WEEN is currently doing to fight for social and racial justice and amplify the voices of young women in the WEEN Academy.

“We don’t lead from a deficit. We lead from a ‘this is why I’m unique’.” - Sabrina Thompson Mitchell

Today on When She Founded:

• The many pivots of Sabrina’s career, including her success on the television show SURVIVOR
• How Sabrina’s production company got started and what the company specializes in
• Why Sabrina co-founded the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN)
• The WEEN Academy’s mission and why WEEN takes a “tough love” approach to empowerment
• How WEEN is shifting perspectives about entering the entertainment world
• The importance of leading with purpose and the game-changing gift of storytelling
• The power of leading from a surplus mindset rather than a deficit mindset
• How to bring about social change by channeling your emotions into action
• The concept of privilege and how people address it differently when it comes to race versus gender
• The power of social media and the importance of harnessing it positively
• How COVID-19 has impacted WEEN’s growth strategy and what’s next for WEEN

Connect with Sabrina Thompson Mitchell:

• KUU Productions
• Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN)
• Sabrina Thompson Mitchell on Instagram
• WEEN on Instagram

Subscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of When She Founded with your host, Somer Hamrick. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, connect with Somer on LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media.

Deemed a “Remarkable Woman” by Chapel Hill Magazine in 2016, Robin Whitsell has twenty years of experience in the life science and medical writing industries, including degrees in biophysics and physics. She is the founder and president of Whitsell Innovations (WI) and formerly worked at Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Glaxo Wellcome, and PAREXEL International CRO. Additionally, she was the winner of the Count Me In pitch competition for entrepreneurs. Robin is a public speaker and has contributed her insights to the American Medical Writers Association Medical Writing & Communication Conference as well as the DIA annual meeting and DIA Medical Affairs and Scientific Communications Forum. Robin is also on the board of the Diversity Alliance for Science.

Today, Robin joins me to share the niche that she serves with Whitsell Innovations, her journey to growing the business, and the significant changes she faced along the way. She discusses the importance of creating a culture of safety, how this can drive growth, and the strategies she has used to maintain and uphold the company’s growth and mission-driven culture over time. Robin also highlights the benefits and drawbacks of being designated as a woman-owned small business.

“There are plenty of ways to grow a company.” - Robin Whitsell

Today on When She Founded:

• The type of company Whitsell Innovations is and the type of clients WI serves
• The power of “the girlfriend network” when it comes to professional recommendations
• What “stack ranking is” and why Robin feels it is the antithesis to success
• Robin’s experience with transitioning her employees from hourly to salary workers and the role of un-billable time
• The competitive landscape WI entered into and the three “buckets” WI competitors fall into
• How the decision to be a remote company benefitted WI’s organizational culture
• The two types of stories medical writers tell and which kind of story is harder to tell
• How company size relates to infrastructure needs and the importance of recognizing inflection points
• The benefits and drawbacks of being designated as a “women-owned small business”

Resources Mentioned:

• Diversity Alliance for Science

Connect with Robin Whitsell:

• Whitsell Innovations
• Robin Whitsell on LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of When She Founded with your host, Somer Hamrick. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, connect with Somer on LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media.

Jumoke Dada is a technologist, strategist, philanthropist, social entrepreneur, and public speaker with a passion for empowering women and girls who are interested in technology/STEM and social good. She is the Principal of Signature Red where she provides businesses with strategic consulting and resources to elevate women in the technology sector. She is also the creator of the online platform, Tech Women Network, and the founder of the non-profit organization Signature Red Cares. Jumoke writes for ForbesWomen on topics surrounding diversity in the technology industry. Her valuable insights have been highlighted in publications including the Philadelphia Inquirer, Black Enterprise, and EBONY Magazine.

Today, Jumoke joins me to discuss her career journey and her decision to start her own company. She shares the eye-opening experiences that led her to a focus on empowering women in tech, and some of the challenges women in the tech industry face. She discusses the marketplace gaps that currently exist for women in the technology industry and what inspired her to create the Tech Women Network. Jumoke also highlights the events and communities she leads and offers wisdom to women who may feel stuck in their careers.

“You want to become what you can see.” - Jumoke Dada

Today on When She Founded:

• The pivotal moment in Jumoke’s career journey that led her to start her own company
• The entrepreneurial influencers she had in her life when she started her business
• The initial vision for Jumoke’s firm Signature RED, how she decided on the name for her brand, and how the company’s focus shifted over time
• What inspired Jumoke to create the Tech Women Network and her goals with the network
• How Jumoke grew the Tech Women Network and encouraged women to leverage the platform
• The biggest challenges currently faced by women of color in the technology space
• Who the HUE Tech Summit is for and how she hopes it will empower women of color and promote diversity in tech
• Marketplace gaps that exist for women in tech and the areas of the tech industry that women tend to move towards
• Who can join the Tech Women Network, the steps women can take to apply, and the type of women Jumoke aims to reach
  
  

Connect with Jumoke Dada:

• Dadaverse
• Tech Women Network
• HUE Tech Summit
• Jumoke Dada on LinkedIn
• Jumoke Dada on Twitter
• Jumoke K. Dada on Facebook
• Tech Women Network on Instagram

Subscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of When She Founded with your host, Somer Hamrick. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, connect with Somer on LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media.

Dr. Falgunee Parekh is an infectious disease expert. She is the Founder and Principal Scientist of EpiPointe, a small business focused on developing epidemiology solutions to combat global infectious diseases. Dr. Falgunee’s experience in the development and implementation of clinical research studies spans across 18 years and over several locations worldwide, including South Asia, South America, West Africa, and East Africa. In addition to her work as EpiPointe’s Principal Scientist, Dr. Falgunee has also been serving as Treasurer for the Global Health Security Agenda Consortium since March 2019.

Dr. Falgunee joins me today to discuss the impact of health research on communities and individuals. She shares her background and experiences of doing field research in Peru on malaria in pregnancies and shares the profound insights she realized while in the field. She compares the similarities of Zika and COVID-19 and discusses how testing, surveillance, and contact tracing can help scientists understand the global pandemic. She also shares her experiences as a woman of color in a S.T.E.M. career and underscores the power of raising awareness about diseases and public health in communities.

“When you have good solutions to health, it impacts socio-economic wellbeing, individuals, and communities.” - Dr. Falgunee Parekh

Today on When She Founded:

• Falgunee’s background and what inspired her to go down the road of epidemiology and public health
• The meaning of epidemiology and why it matters
• Falgunee’s experience with researching the epidemiology of malaria in Peru
• The impact of raising awareness in the fight against infectious diseases
• What made Dr. Falgunee decide to create her own company
• The lack of women of color in global health and pharmaceutical industries
• What it’s like to work as a woman of color in epidemiology and R&D
• Falgunee’s work on a Zika vaccine trial and the similarities between the epidemiology of Zika and COVID-19
• The importance of testing, surveillance, and contact tracing in the fight against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases
• EpiPointe’s global survey on non-hospitalized COVID-19 cases
• The power of science communication in managing a pandemic
• Falgunee’s vision for EpiPointe and why they’re choosing to stay as a small business

Connect with Dr. Falgunee Parekh

• EpiPointe
• EpiPointe on Facebook
• EpiPointe on LinkedIn
• Falgunee Parekh on LinkedIn

Subscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of When She Founded with your host, Somer Hamrick. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, connect with Somer on LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media.

Deemed a Top 40 Healthcare Transformer by Medical Marketing & Media, Sandra Shpilberg is the CEO of the digital patient-finding platform SeekerHealth, which she founded in 2015. Sandra was no stranger to the medical field when she launched her successful brand, previously working in the biopharmaceutical space as Vice President of Commercial Development and Strategic Marketing for Nora Therapeutics as well as Executive Director at BioMarin Pharmaceutical. Additionally, Sandra is the best-selling author of New Startup Mindset: 10 Mindset Shifts to Build the Company of Your Dreams.

Today, Sandra joins me to highlight insights from her book New Startup Mindset, which discusses the lessons learned through her journey of founding and leading SeekerHealth. Sandra shares how she approached this entrepreneurial venture, the two types of difficulties we face as founders, and insights into the exit process. Sandra also discussed whether inspiration is necessary for creation, why it is crucial to address burnout as an entrepreneur, and the importance of prioritizing mindset and personal growth as a founder.

“There really is no way to create new things if you’re not pushing yourself to be a beginner.” - Sandra Shpilberg

Today on When She Founded:

• How the lessons in Sandra’s book New Startup Mindset helped her succeed with her book launch
• Sandra’s career journey and the myths she busted as she launched SeekerHealth
• The problem that Sandra set out to solve through her brand and how she found the conviction to pursue her vision
• Why clinical trials are so important in the eyes of patients and the current focus for most clinical trials
• The importance of inner mindset and how Sandra intervened with her inner critic
• The value of a professional network and how Sandra found her early customers
• Stumbling points along her entrepreneurial journey and what Sandra learned through these struggles
• The impact of burn out, how long it takes to recover from it, and the importance of honoring your body’s needs
• Why you shouldn’t wait to resolve your pain before you begin creating
• The difference between a vacation and a retreat, and why you should retreat rather than quit
• What mindfulness truly is and how it applies to business
• How Sandra’s personal experience with immigration has fueled her career journey

Connect with Sandra Shpilberg:

• Sandra Shpilberg
• Sandra Shpilberg on LinkedIn
• Sandra Shpilberg on Facebook
• Sandra Shpilberg on Instagram
• Sandra Shpilberg on Twitter
• New Startup Mindset: 10 Mindset Shifts to Build the Company of Your Dreams by Sandra Shpilberg

Subscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of When She Founded with your host, Somer Hamrick. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, connect with Somer on LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media.

How are you adapting to the changing business environment in the time of COVID-19? Managing and growing a business in these rapidly changing times is no easy feat, especially with all of the personal and professional elements you may be juggling right now as a female founder. To find peace and combat the overwhelm, it is crucial to be clear and intentional when it comes to your intended direction.

In today’s episode, I share strategies for building your company in the COVID-19 era and finding clarity amidst the chaos. I discuss the benefits of nurturing relationships with your professional connections, including your peers, clients, and prospects, and how this has helped me in my professional life. I also highlight the importance of having a financial team you can trust and discuss the power of finding creative solutions during this unprecedented time.

“What you do with your business to get through this and stay alive does not have to be your forever plan.” - Somer Hamrick

Today on When She Founded:

• The many aspects of life that female founders may find themselves juggling in the COVID-19 era and the added pressure within the clinical research field
• Why you should spend time picking up the phone and connecting with others during this time, and who you should call
• Questions to ask your clients and prospects when reaching out to them
• Why email isn’t enough when it comes to building professional connections
• The importance of having a strong financial team and some key people who have helped me with my brand’s financials
• Why interim solutions are okay in the COVID-19 era and the power of finding creative solutions
• How Channel Clinical is finding creative alternatives to adapt to these uncertain times

Resources Mentioned:

• Realm Startup Advisory
• HeyMama
• Luminary NYC
• Heroux & Company, LLP

Subscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of When She Founded with your host, Somer Hamrick. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, connect with Somer on LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media.

Bianca Padilla is the CEO and co-founder of Carewell, a family-run healthcare company dedicated to servicing caregivers. A graduate of New York University, Bianca served as a software engineer at LiveNinja and an analyst for a variety of firms before her role at Carewell. Michelle Cardinal is the CEO and co-founder of Rain the Growth Agency, a direct-to-consumer advertising company. She has over 25 years of experience in the media and advertising sector and formerly served as founder and CEO of Cmedia as well as the Executive Vice President of Media at Williams Worldwide Television.

Today, Bianca and Michelle join me to share their entrepreneurial journeys and how they both met marketplace needs in scalable and sustainable ways through their businesses. They share the marketplace trends they have noticed in their industries as well as insights for aspiring female founders. They discuss why it’s vital for female founders to take scalability and financial feasibility into consideration when launching a new business. Bianca and Michelle also highlight how COVID-19 is impacting both of their brands.

“Entrepreneurship is not something you major in; it’s something you are.” - Michelle Cardinal

Today on When She Founded:

• How Michelle and Bianca met and their journies to founding their companies
• An initiative Michelle launched to help meet a need she saw among female founders
• How Bianca’s grandmother influenced her desire to start Carewell and the first steps she took to meet the marketplace need she saw
• How Michelle determined that Carewell was the right fit for the SheScales program
• When Bianca’s entrepreneurial “itch” first began and the one skill she felt would differentiate her as an entrepreneur
• Michelle’s advice for early-stage female founders who are looking to scale and how Bianca effectively laid the groundwork for her brand
• The importance of taking scalability and financial feasibility into consideration as an entrepreneur
• The impact of COVID-19 on Michelle and Bianca’s businesses, including how medical product shortages have impacted Carewell
• How Carewell is stepping up and serving as an advocate for caregivers in the face of COVID-19

Connect with Bianca Padilla and Michelle Cardinal:

• Carewell
• Carewell on Facebook
• Carewell Phone: (855) 855-1666
• Bianca Padilla on LinkedIn
• Bianca Padilla on Twitter
• Rain the Growth Agency
• Rain the Growth Agency on Instagram
• Rain the Growth Agency on Facebook
• Rain the Growth Agency on Twitter
• Michelle Cardinal on LinkedIn

Subscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of When She Founded with your host, Somer Hamrick. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.

Don’t forget to visit our website, connect with Somer on LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media.