June 30, 2025
Meet Katie L., PharPoint’s Business Development (BD) Manager.
In her role, Katie is responsible for prospecting accounts, conducting outreach, and managing opportunities through to closeout. One of her favorite parts of the job is hosting intro calls with CEOs and senior leaders to learn about their stories, connections, and the motivations behind their products. “It’s fascinating to hear it from their side.” Katie says.
Katie’s fascination with the health industry began in high school during her health and anatomy class. She initially considered a career in nursing, but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit after being tasked with dissecting a rat, a moment that led her to rethink her path.
Still drawn to healthcare but looking for a better fit, Katie continued to explore her options as she entered college. With the help of her academic advisor, she entered the Public Health program and found herself especially engaged in her epidemiology class.
During college, Katie began an internship at SEEDS of Healing, a nonprofit in downtown Wilmington, and another at Novant Health in their infectious disease unit. Both roles focused on treating HIV and acted as an introduction to the clinical research world.
Those internships left a lasting impression on Katie, inspiring her to pursue a graduate program in clinical research to deepen her understanding of the industry and strengthen her skill set. That decision not only solidified her passion for the field but also led to her role at PharPoint.
While her academic background was rooted in research, the role at PharPoint introduced her to something new: business development.
Katie knew stepping into a sales-related position would be a challenge, but with her family’s encouragement pushing her beyond her comfort zone, she embraced the opportunity. Though initially anxious, she’s now grateful for the experience, noting that it has become more natural each day.
“I remember the first time I booked a meeting from a call, that moment made me realize, ‘Oh my gosh, I can do this,'” she recalls. When reflecting on the most rewarding part of her role, she highlights the personal growth that’s come from stepping outside her comfort zone and becoming more confident in initiating meaningful conversations.
Katie was drawn to PharPoint’s collaborative culture and values the unique access to leadership, noting she regularly joins calls with the founders, something her friends at other companies find rare. For her, that level of accessibility is part of what makes PharPoint stand out.
While the ease of communication with company leadership sets PharPoint apart, Katie says she values her fellow BD team members the most. “A win for one of us is a win for all of us,” she explains.
Outside of work, Katie embraces the perks and challenges of being a homeowner, from landscaping to painting. Despite the to-do list, she’s excited to continually make the space her own.
When asked if she had any secret or unique talents, Katie shared her surprising talent of the ability to identify dog breeds on sight. A skill she’s perfected since childhood and one that still catches people off guard.
Recently in her role, Katie’s especially enjoyed being able to research and plan for upcoming industry trade shows and conferences. Looking ahead, she’s excited to be able to experience the scale and energy of these conference firsthand and connect with new people and companies.
Katie’s curiosity in meeting new people, exploring new concepts, and diving into new areas of clinical research fuels her enthusiasm for the industry. “I think clinical research has all of my interests that I’ve had since I was growing up all into one,” she shares. “Clinical research gives you so many different opportunities learn. It’s something new every single day.”
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