About Us

We’re your spark!
We, the founders and leadership team of Spark, bring a wealth of industry expertise and are recognized for our commitment to transparency, integrity, and innovative service delivery. Through our collective journey, we’ve realized that effective resourcing of individuals and teams transcends the mere act of “just filling seats.” Our goal is to pinpoint the ideal clinical research professionals or teams that seamlessly integrate with your requirements and principles. Our mission is clear: we aim to match the right individuals to ignite your projects.

We achieve this by leveraging our valued relationships with our resources, whom we also treat as our clients. This is illustrated by the long-term relationships we continue to cultivate through communication and understanding. By getting to know our sponsors and resources, we benefit both parties. This enables us to offer continuity and enhance productivity through renewed passion and job satisfaction, ultimately achieving greater success.

In concert with your clinical team, Spark’s team of clinical resourcing and operational experts drive your clinical projects forward. Whether you need “feet on the street” or in-house support, we tailor solutions to fit your specific requirements with an emphasis on innovation and cost-effectiveness. This collaborative approach fosters a productive and dynamic environment where teams can work together to achieve success in clinical research.

How is this all possible?
Our Approach is about You.  Some call it “old school,” while others refer to it as “refreshing.” We call it “customer-centric.” That’s because we base every recommendation or decision on what is in your best interest, and no one else’s. This philosophy lends itself to a highly collaborative, transparent and supportive working partnership. It’s a far cry from the unfortunate trend toward an isolated Sponsor- Vendor relationship.

No cookie-cutter approach here.

First, we listen. Then, we ask questions. We understand that every clinical program has a unique time and place. When first thinking of how to operationalize a study, you consider many variables. We know each situation calls for a tailored solution. We recognize that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in the realm of clinical research.

It’s easy to work with us.

Who wants to work with difficult people anyway? Your job is hard enough. We’re easy to work with because we’re experienced,  supportive, and resourceful. At Spark we don’t have any hard-and-fast, take-it-or-leave-it rules. With us, you won’t need to negotiate through layers of management to solve a problem quickly. One call is all it takes.

Fun people doing serious work.

If you think about it, we’re in a daunting business. We strive to provide a better quality of life for people by developing novel and innovative products. While we work each and every day to help move those products to market, Spark believes you should enjoy your work while doing so. Humor is a value-add with us. And that philosophy is filtered throughout our company.
Sounds like the way things should be, doesn’t it?
Finding your spark means you found “your thing.” That thing that drives you and guides you. The special sauce that others think of when they think of you. We all have a spark, but many of us don’t know what it is or struggle to define it.
Kathy Bradrick

Kathy Bradrick

Chief Executive Officer

Kathy is a clinical research executive and leader with more than 25 years’ experience in large and small CROs, as well as pharmaceutical and government research companies. She started her career as a pharmaceutical sales rep in 1989 and entered the CRO industry in 1997. Kathy has served in a variety of leadership roles throughout her career, including President of Trio Clinical Research; Co-Founder and Managing Partner of INNO Clinical Outcomes; Executive Director of Source at Chiltern International; Executive Director of Business Operations at Triangle Biostatistics (now part of Catalyst); as well as Vice President of Growth Strategy and Senior Vice President of Resourcing Operations at Catalyst Clinical Research. Kathy holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in management from North Carolina State University.  She enjoys traveling, live music, and spending time with family and friends including the newest family member Banks the beloved Bernese Mountain Dog.

Betsy Brown

Betsy Brown

Chief Operating Officer

Betsy has dedicated her entire career to clinical research and serves today as an industry leader, resourcing expert, and business entrepreneur. She joined the industry in 1985 working with FHI 360 in Women’s Health and HIV research. In 1987, she joined ClinTrials Research, a commercial spin-off of FHI 360 and one of the earliest international Clinical Research Organizations. As Associate Director, she managed a staff of CRA Managers and more than 100 CRAs. In 1995, Betsy co-founded and led The Woolf Group, one of the earliest and most recognized clinical research staffing firms in the country. She helped develop the company into a premier service organization, highly sought-after by its clientele and candidates alike. The company was sold to an international staffing firm in 1999, and in 2002 she co-founded Trio Clinical Research. As the company’s Chief Operating Officer and then President, Betsy led the operations and business development team, ensuring the company’s growth and development, and drove a successful merger with Aptiv Solutions in 2008. In 2013, Betsy returned to her entrepreneurial roots and co-founded Catalyst Clinical Research, a niche clinical operations service provider. Outside of work, Betsy enjoys spending time with her two boys, Hunter and Sam. They love to ski, snowboard, and travel with extended family and cousins. Sam’s buddy and labradoodle, Bella, enjoys hanging out at the office.

Scot Stubenhofer

Scot Stubenhofer

Chief Business Officer

Scot brings over 4 decades of pharmaceutical development experience, working within biopharmaceutical companies, and CROs and is a former founder/CEO of a pharmaceutical development consultancy consulting group. Scot’s corporate experience includes product development and R&D Program and Portfolio Management positions at Marion Laboratories/ Hoechst Marion Roussel. He has served in various leadership roles with a variety of life science service providers. He holds an MBA from Avila College, as well as a degree in pharmacy from the University of Kansas.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Kansas State University. Scot enjoys a wide range of extracurricular activities from being a leader in the local Boy Scout troop, where both of his sons are Eagle Scouts, to golf, being amazed by his youngest son’s musical and acting abilities, and is now relegated to be a spectator at football games.  He reminisces about his days of coaching his kid’s sporting activities. Scot lives in Overland Park, Kansas with his wife Robin and 3 kids, Beth, Alex, and Sam. Well, at least when two of them are home from Kansas State in the Little Apple, Manhattan (GO CATS).