• Develop and lead a high-performing team focused on complex global investigator-sponsored and collaborative research contracts (ISR/CO). • Work collaboratively in a highly matrixed environment to ensure multiple ISR/CO programs are able to implement and deliver new studies with efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. • Enable and support an inclusive and collaborative work environment for my team and colleagues.• Manage multiple functional service providers and ensure appropriate, well-trained, and professional staffing. Ensure fair market value compliance and financial accountability. • Work closely with key stakeholders in multiple business units (e.g., Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, researchers, universities and academic medical centers, and general counsel) to drive efficiency, compliance, and continuous process improvement. • Develop and implement systems and process improvement with transparency and effective strategy.• Led team in reducing negotiation times on ISR/Collaborative contracts for two consecutive years. • Successfully launched new contracts management system for ISR/Collaborative contracts.• Developed and sponsored employee-led program to improve staff engagement and psychological safety. This program was lauded by senior leadership in the Development organization and will serve as a model for a broader effort to enhance staff engagement and psychological safety.

I lead a high-performing team of contracts officers and administrative staff, with responsibility for all University sponsored research contracting. In this role, I oversee a broad array of contracting work with partners and sponsors ranging from universities and government agencies to health systems, from major pharmaceutical and engineering firms to foundations. The portfolio of work includes CTAs, SRAs, Master Agreements, Government Contracts, Collaboration Agreements, Indemnity Agreements, MTAs, DUAs, and CDAs, among others. My team also manages award setup for industry-funded clinical trials. Regularly, I interface with the cross-functional leadership teams to initiate comprehensive reviews of risk tolerance and of best practices in contracting and sponsored research administration. We define standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for all research contracting functions of Sponsored Research.My leadership expertise is defined by a persistent push to ensure we have an inclusive and engaged contracting team, and Sponsored Research office. I believe strongly in empowering staff to make decisions, to take responsible risks in innovation, and to hold themselves and me accountable for maintaining the highest ethical, professional, and interpersonal standards.

I was promoted from acting associate director/team lead role after 2 years to serve as an advisor in the negotiation of complex, high-volume contracts. In this position, I lead corporate business functions, including contract review, award setup for clinical trials, and hold signature authority to ensure transparency and compliance. I supervise, train, and coach a team of 12.Regularly, I interface with the cross-functional leadership teams to initiate the comprehensive review of institutional risk tolerance and expectations. We define standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for confidentiality, master research, material transfer, data use, and clinical trial agreements. ► Directed successful merger of Evanston and Chicago contract officers into one team serving the entire University research community.► Led newly merged team in reducing longstanding backlog of MTAs and DUAs (in a period with a 68% volume increase) while decreasing negotiation times by improving mentoring, refining processes, and building accountability.► Despite being understaffed 20% and a 40% year-over-year volume spike, cut negotiation time for NDAs in half. ► Streamlined communication across critical business units, facilitating regular meetings to harmonize and improve risk management in research agreement negotiations.► Improved productivity of newly hired contracts officers in 4 months by introducing written instructional guides, one-on-one coaching, and peer mentorship program to enhance negotiation and problem-solving skills.► Oversaw implementation of electronic submission process for non-funded agreements. ► Guaranteed compliance and built uniformity by creating SOPs, onboarding program and staff development opportunities to empower ownership and accountability for departmental goals.► Shortened response time for sponsor and staff inquiries, launching new tools for managing contract review and updating metrics and reporting for administrators and investigators.

In this position, I was the subject matter expert (SME) for drafting and negotiation of confidentiality, equipment loan, purchase, collaboration, sponsored research, and clinical trial agreements with clinical research organizations on behalf of the University. While mentoring and training 4 new contracts officers, I advised researchers and administration on regulatory compliance issues, contract interpretation, policy needs, and impacts of policies/practice changes. I partnered with general counsel, risk management, and senior leadership to monitor adherence to contract terms. I also advocated for resources and process improvements for staff development.► Boosted effectiveness in contract negotiation, establishing work-from-home policy and best practices model to enhance onboarding and decision making for telecommute staff.► Eliminated need for separate equipment contracts, engaging with medical affiliates to align procedures and identify efficiencies during clinical research process. ► Earned 2 service excellence awards for performance and efforts on high-value projects.

As an attorney, I represented claimants in social security hearings. My role involved eliciting testimony from claimants and conducting cross examination of medical and vocational experts. I drafted petitions, pleadings, professional correspondence, and appellate briefs. I developed evidence and implemented case strategy and coordinated case planning and development. I also interpreted legal, vocational, and medical issues for clients.

LECTURER | Northwestern University, School of Continuing Studies – Chicago, IL (August 2011–August 2012)LAW CLERK | Equip for Equality – Chicago, IL (August 2006–February 2007)NOTE & COMMENT EDITOR | Journal of Law and Family Studies, S.J. Quinney College of Law (August 2004–May 2006)LAW CLERK | Utah Labor Commission – Salt Lake City, UT (January 2006–April 2006)LAW CLERK | Washington State Attorney General’s Office, Revenue Div. – Olympia, WA (May 2005–April 2006)LAW CLERK | Disability Law Center – Salt Lake City, UT (September 2004–April 2006)