Trial by Fire to Executive Leadership: Lessons from Kathy Bradrick’s Journey in Clinical Research
Sponsored by Biometrics Leadership Lab Podcast
Hosted by Amanda Cross
Guest Speaker Kathy Bradrick
In the latest episode of the Biometrics Leadership Lab Podcast, host Amanda Cross sat down with longtime colleague and friend Kathy Bradrick. Kathy is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in clinical research. Their conversation spanned everything from Kathy’s challenging yet exciting early days to her current role as a founder helping companies solve real-world clinical trial challenges.
Although Kathy works hard, she knows how to bring authenticity to the table. She also knows how to enjoy life. She enjoys traveling, live music, and spending time with family and friends, including the newest family member, Banks, the beloved Bernese Mountain dog. Kathy is a compassionate and easy-going individual. She cares deeply for the people and animals around her, driven by a genuine desire to make the world a better place.
Let’s explore how her career unfolded and the lessons it offers us all.
Learning by Doing
Kathy’s entry into clinical research was anything but ordinary. Fresh out of graduate school, she answered a blind ad in the newspaper, a reminder of a pre-digital job hunt. She first landed in a small CRO with little training or structure. Kathy was tasked with building proposals, contracts, and pricing models. She had to learn by asking questions and piecing things together. The long days were grueling, but they became a crash course in business operations and leadership. Her early experience cemented a principle that shaped her career: when you don’t know, ask questions. Kathy emphasizes that colleagues at every level are often willing to help—curiosity and communication are the keys to learning.
Owning Mistakes and Building Trust
One pivotal story from her early years highlights the value of honesty. Kathy once discovered a million-dollar error in a budget she had created. Instead of hiding it, she brought it directly to her CEO. The response wasn’t punishment—it was mentorship and eventually, promotion. The lesson? Leaders respect integrity and courage far more than silence or cover-ups.
Good Leaders Communicate, Great Leaders Over-Communicate
Over time, Kathy grew into leadership roles across CROs and pharmaceutical companies. She credits managers of all kinds which shaped her approach. A good mentor taught her to embrace mistakes and transparency, while a bad experience—learning of a new boss through gossip rather than communication—reminded her to over-share important information with her own teams. She also learned to balance professionalism and authenticity, recalling how early conference experiences showed her that leaders represent their companies in every setting.
Entrepreneurship and the Spirit of Small Companies
Growing up in her father’s independent pharmacy, Kathy developed an entrepreneurial mindset early. She eventually co-founded companies of her own. She has always been drawn to the energy of small organizations where leaders wear many hats. “Life begins outside your comfort zone,” she says, and for her, stepping into the unknown has been the source of both growth and opportunity. While large companies provide stability and resources, Kathy’s passion lies with nimble, small and mid-sized firms where leaders can adapt quickly and truly build something new.
Networking Without Trying
For Kathy, networking isn’t about endless events or LinkedIn connections—it’s about building strong, purposeful relationships. “You’re networking every day with your coworkers,” she explains. “Your reputation follows you.” In fact, one of her later opportunities came from a colleague who had worked with her 20 years earlier and still trusted her work ethic and drive.
Patient-First Leadership
At the heart of Kathy’s philosophy is a commitment to patients. Efficiency in clinical research isn’t just good business—it accelerates the development of treatments people urgently need. She believes leaders must steward client resources carefully, remain nimble, and focus on solving real problems rather than adding layers of complexity.
Advice for Future Leaders
Kathy leaves listeners with timeless advice:
- Learn to communicate—clearly, often, and honestly.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions or admit mistakes.
- Stay curious, because curiosity fuels growth.
- Recognize that every role, no matter how small, prepares you for the next.
Her story is a reminder that leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about resilience, humility, and the courage to keep learning.
Let Spark Clinical Research be there for you and your teams!
Inspired by Kathy Bradrick’s journey from hands-on early career hurdles to executive leadership, you too can elevate your career in clinical research by embracing curiosity, transparency, and purposeful relationships. At Spark Clinical Research, we partner with professionals and organizations to solve real-world clinical trial challenges, helping teams operate efficiently, lead with integrity, and keep patients at the center of every decision. Explore how we can support your next breakthrough— to learn more and take the first step toward transforming your clinical research impact.
