Life Sciences Networking Insights from the October GLSA | FOCM Event
Life sciences networking insights are often shaped by the diverse perspectives we encounter when professionals come together to share experiences, ideas, and challenges across the industry.
One of the things I enjoy most about networking is meeting people with different perspectives. Those conversations challenge our assumptions, broaden our thinking, and often prompt us to re-evaluate how we approach our work and relationships.
On October 20, the Global Life Sciences Alliance (GLSA), together with FOCM Networking, hosted its monthly online networking event for professionals across pharma, biotech, clinical research, medical devices, and drug development. (Yes—still a mouthful. We promise to shorten it next month. Suggestions welcome!)
As attendees joined the Zoom room, early arrivals reconnected, exchanged greetings, and got settled. We began by acknowledging that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, reflecting on how far cancer therapies have advanced over the past decade. Breakthroughs in genotyping and targeted therapies now allow researchers to identify patients most likely to respond to treatment before enrollment. As a result, trials can be conducted with smaller, more precise patient populations—speeding timelines and accelerating paths to FDA approval.
Featured Speaker: Heather Hollick on LinkedIn Best Practices
The event’s featured speaker was Heather Hollick, author of Helpful: A Guide to Life, Careers, and the Art of Networking, and a long-time friend and collaborator. Heather led an engaging discussion on how to use LinkedIn as a strategic networking tool, highlighting why it remains invaluable for life sciences professionals.
Heather outlined several key ways LinkedIn supports effective networking:
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It serves as your professional presence and online résumé
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It enhances introductions by providing context before meetings
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It helps refresh your memory about how and where you know someone
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It allows you to prepare more thoughtfully for meetings
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It helps identify companies that are hiring
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It provides links to relevant content and websites
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It enables you to track and manage your network
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It supports engagement through groups and discussions
To illustrate the power of networking, I shared how Heather and I first connected—through a mutual contact, Tanyss Mason. That initial introduction led to phone conversations, an in-person meeting during Heather’s book launch in the RTP area, and eventually co-presenting a networking workshop together at the 2021 DIA Annual Meeting. We’ll be collaborating again at DIA 2022 in Chicago, reinforcing how meaningful connections often grow organically over time.
While we typically move into breakout sessions of small groups, the discussion around LinkedIn and relationship-building generated so much interest that we kept the group together and allowed the conversation to continue organically.
These life sciences networking insights highlighted how professionals are using LinkedIn differently to build meaningful, high-value connections.
We look forward to seeing everyone again at our next event on November 17.
Attendees
(Bolded names indicate first-time attendees)
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Heather Hollick, Rizers, LLC; Author of Helpful
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Mike Burrows, Burrows Life Science Associates, LLC
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Lacey Clements, IMA Clinical Research
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Nadia Bracken, Medidata
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Christine Narro, Medical Device Co.
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Lewis Kelly, Gunvatta
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Chris Bergey, Humphries Insurance Agency
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Michael O’Gorman, Life Science Marketplace
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Patrick McCarthy, ValidCare
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Joe Dustin, TransCelerate Biopharma
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Janie St. Pierre, Accellacare
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Ellen Bedenko, IQVIA
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Patrick Champoux, SkillPad
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Andrew Mulchinski, Symbio Research
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Chris Matheus, Global Life Sciences Alliance & FOCM
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Denise McNerney, Global Life Sciences Alliance
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Joe Buser, Global Life Sciences Alliance
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Daryl Oberg, Global Life Sciences Alliance
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Brandon Huffman, Global Life Sciences Alliance
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Holly Cliffe, Global Life Sciences Alliance
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Zulma Varela, Global Life Sciences Alliance
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Sally Haller, Global Life Sciences Alliance
About GLSA
Global Life Sciences Alliance (GLSA) connects biotechs, pharma, CROs, and clinical research sites with the right experts, advisors, and solutions to accelerate development and reduce risk. With a network of more than 200 trusted partners spanning pre-clinical and clinical research, GLSA offers flexible, cost-effective access to specialized expertise and services that support early-stage biotechs, mid-size pharma, and global pharmaceutical companies.
When you need trusted, global resources to accelerate your research, GLSA helps you scale smarter and move you forward with confidence.
To learn how GLSA can support your organization, connect with Denise McNerney or Chris Matheus for a conversation about your goals and challenges.