Partnering for Cures // Expert Consultations

Strategic Planning

These consultations will address strategic and business model issues including establishing planning guidelines and timelines, conducting strategic analysis and organizational assessments, setting or changing strategic direction, refining goals and methods, approaching collaborations (with both partners and funders), and mapping/measuring success.

L. Russell (Rusty) Bromley - Principal, TRAC Consulting

In 2010 L. Russell "Rusty" Bromley formed TRAC Consulting to assist nonprofit medical research organizations in Translational Research Acceleration via Collaboration (TRAC). TRAC Consulting specializes in designing and implementing strategic research plans and collaborative operational models that are aligned with an organization's mission and the unmet medical needs of patients. Prior to founding TRAC Consulting he served for seven years as the chief operating officer of the Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) where he was instrumental in the creation, implementation, and evolution of the MRF Accelerated Research Collaboration™ model. His principal responsibilities included development and execution of the MRF research plan, identification and protection of resulting intellectual property, and development of relationships with a broad range of academic and commercial organizations. Bromley brings a unique combination of business experience in both academic and commercial research environments. He has served as chief executive officer of LabVelocity, Inc., an Internet information portal for the life science research community; chief executive officer of Berkshire Holding Corporation, a privately held, multinational manufacturer of supplies for microelectronics and pharmaceutical production; and 17 years with American Hospital Supply Corporation and Baxter Healthcare, including as president of the Burdick and Jackson division. Bromley has a degree in biochemistry from Rice University.

Katie Hood, M.B.A. - Former Chief Executive Officer, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Katie Hood is senior fellow and visiting lecturer with the Hart Leadership Program at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy. In this role, she will develop and teach a course on women leaders and work closely with Hart faculty and students on other initiatives. Hood joined the Hart team in August 2011, after leaving her position as chief executive officer of The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson's Research, the largest funder of Parkinson's research worldwide and one of the most innovative and results-oriented disease-focused foundations driving progress toward cures in the world. During her time as chief executive officer (2007-2011), the foundation more than doubled its fundraising and grantmaking. Hood joined MJFF in September 2002, and prior to serving as chief executive officer she served as deputy chief executive officer and vice president of research programs. In both positions, she played a critical role in developing the foundation's unique approach to achieving progress in Parkinson's disease research. She is a member of the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health. Prior to MJFF, Hood worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Bain & Company. She graduated from Duke University and Harvard Business School.

Marie Schiller - Partner, Health Advances
Marie Schiller is a partner at Health Advances, a consulting firm specializing in the commercialization of new healthcare technologies. Her clients range from start-ups to pharmaceutical/medtech companies to nonprofit disease organizations. Schiller has worked with her clients, many for more than 10 years, on critical commercial decisions including asset acquisitions, product launch/lifecycle strategy, and franchise planning. The depth and breadth of her knowledge across the healthcare industry brings a unique competitive advantage to her clients. Schiller's consulting career started as a generalist with expertise in drug delivery and protein therapeutics. Over the years, she has focused on metabolic diseases and now runs Health Advances' metabolic practice. She is considered one the country's most formidable diabetes experts. Her interest in diabetes is driven in large part by her personal 27-year history living with type 1. Over the past five years, Schiller has had the opportunity to bring her consulting experience to nonprofit organizations. Recently, she took a sabbatical to oversee the development of a diabetes exchange being funded by the Helmsley Trust. Prior to joining Health Advances, Schiller worked in research and commercial planning at ArQule and Gel Sciences. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor of arts in chemistry.

DISCLAIMER
The Expert Consultations at Partnering for Cures are informal sessions intended to be informational in nature. The individuals serving in the role of experts are providing their advice pro bono, and before acting upon any such advice you should consult with your own experts or consultants who are more familiar with your particular organizations. Neither the consultants nor the sponsors of Partnering for Cures shall be liable in any manner with respect to the outcomes or consequences that may result from any actions taken based upon the guidance offered in these sessions.

2011
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