Clinical research
People and talent professionals in Clinical research
These ten human resources and talent acquisition professionals have held HR leadership, HR systems and recruiting roles at clinical research companies. A reader can learn how clinical research companies recruit clinical and scientific staff, build HR operations and keep hiring processes consistent across regions.
Professionals to explore
01—10Ann Shirriffs
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Human Resources · Velocity Clinical Research, Inc.
Vice President, Human Resources at Velocity Clinical Research, Inc. since 2025. The profile describes Velocity as a clinical research site organization and the role as providing strategic HR leadership for the Velocity team across the globe. Other listed roles include Executive Director, Global HR at Velocity Clinical Research, Inc. (2023–2025), Senior Director, Global HR at Velocity Clinical Research, Inc. (2023), Global Human Resources Director at Velocity Clinical Research, Inc. (2021–2023) and Human Resources Consultant at Fortis Life Sciences (2021–2022).
Brittany Robertson
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Human Resources · AutoCruitment
Vice President Human Resources at AutoCruitment since 2024. The profile headline describes AutoCruitment as accelerating clinical research by unlocking patient access to treatments. Other listed roles include Director, Human Resources Business Partner at Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. (2023–2024), Human Resources Director at Enzyvant (2022–2023), Director, Human Resources at Mayne Pharma (2022) and Associate Director, Human Resources at Mayne Pharma (2021–2022).
Carolyn Dugan
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Director, Head of Global Talent Acquisition · Worldwide Clinical Trials
Sr. Director, Head of Global Talent Acquisition at Worldwide Clinical Trials since 2026. The profile describes talent acquisition experience in SaaS and life science industries and partnering with executive leaders on workforce planning. Other listed roles include Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition at Model N (2024–2025), Sr. Director, Head of Global Talent Acquisition at Model N (2021–2024), Director, Talent Acquisition at Medidata Solutions (2020–2021) and Manager, Talent Acquisition at Medidata Solutions (2017–2020).
Kalpana Kulasekaran
LinkedInExperience: Team Lead, Talent Acquistion · ICON plc
Team Lead, Talent Acquistion at ICON plc since 2026. The profile describes ICON plc as a clinical research organization that provides outsourced clinical development and commercialization services. Also Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner at ICON Strategic Solutions since 2022. Other listed roles include Talent Acquisition Business Partner at ICON Strategic Solutions (2017–2022), Senior Sourcing Specialist - US and Canada Recruitment at ICON Strategic Solutions (2016–2017) and Sourcing Specialist at ICON Strategic Solutions (2014–2016).
Karen Clagett
LinkedInExperience: Team Lead, Talent Acquisition · Worldwide Clinical Trials
Team Lead, Talent Acquisition at Worldwide Clinical Trials since 2021. The profile describes aligning Human Resources and Talent Acquisition practices with strategic goals. Other listed roles include Senior Recruiter at Worldwide Clinical Trials (2019–2021), Senior Human Resources Generalist at Aerie Pharmaceuticals (2017–2018), Senior Global Recruiter at ChannelAdvisor (2015–2017) and HR & Talent Acquisition Partner at Salix Pharmaceuticals (2013–2015).
Laura Cotto
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Talent Acquisition · Parexel
Vice President Talent Acquisition at Parexel since 2022. The profile describes leading a team that finds and hires talent for Parexel's global clinical research organization. Other listed roles include Director, Talent Acquisition - Americas at Parexel (2014–2022), Manager, Talent Acquisition - Americas at Parexel (2013–2014), Recruiter at Parexel (2011–2013) and Branch Manager at ManpowerGroup (2007–2011).
Laura Olson Christa
LinkedInExperience: Senior Executive Clinical Recruiter · Parexel
Senior Executive Clinical Recruiter at Parexel since 2021. The profile describes Parexel as a global CRO and biopharmaceutical services company. Other listed roles include Manager, Talent Acquisition at PPD (2021), Global Talent Acquisition Leader at ICON plc (2021), Talent Segment Lead at ICON plc (2020–2021) and Talent Acquisition Specialist at ICON plc (2018–2020).
Lynn Kealey
LinkedInExperience: Global Head of Talent Acquisition (Clinical Research), Thermo Fisher Scientific · Thermo Fisher Scientific
Former Global Head of Talent Acquisition (Clinical Research), Thermo Fisher Scientific at Thermo Fisher Scientific (2021–2023). The profile describes leading talent acquisition teams of over 150 professionals and partnering with business leaders on talent strategies. Currently Sr Director, Human Resources at Ora since 2024. Other listed roles include Consultant at Vector Talent (2024), VP, Global Talent Acquisition at PPD (2008–2022) and Client Account Manager - Recruitment at M&G Investments (2007–2009).
Monique Luihn
LinkedInExperience: Director, HR Data & Systems · WCG
Director, HR Data & Systems at WCG since 2024. The profile describes leading strategic planning and optimization of HR data systems and implementing program controls for HRIS tools and HR analytics at WCG Clinical. Other listed roles include Director, HR Shared Services at WCG (2022–2024), Manager, HCM Shared Services at WCG (2019–2021), Director, HR Operations at Syneos Health (2016–2019) and Associate Director, HR Systems at IQVIA (2015–2016).
Stephanie Willis
LinkedInExperience: Director, Human Resources · Folio Clinical Research
Director, Human Resources at Folio Clinical Research since 2026. The profile describes strategic hiring, workforce planning and people-focused business leadership, with a background spanning clinical research and life sciences. Also AI Trainer at micro1 since 2025. Other listed roles include Head of Talent Acquisition at Folio Clinical Research (2026), Director, Global Talent Acquisition at ICON plc (2021–2024) and Director, Recruitment - Americas at ICON Strategic Solutions (2019–2021).
Choose the right perspective
Check whether the person's relevant role is current or past and whether it was a senior HR leadership role, an HR operations role or a hands-on recruiting job. Pick someone whose experience matches your setting, such as a global CRO, a research site network or a smaller clinical company.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you hire clinical research associates and study staff when demand rises quickly, and what has worked?
- 02Which recruiting or HR process was hardest to keep consistent across countries or sites, and what did you change?
- 03How do you forecast hiring needs when study awards and timelines are uncertain, and what would you do differently?
Reaching people and talent professionals in Clinical research
How can I contact one of these people and talent professionals in Clinical research?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 8 companies, including Velocity Clinical Research, Inc.; AutoCruitment and Worldwide Clinical Trials, based on profile data retrieved on October 1, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach people and talent professionals in Clinical research?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
Request a correction or removal