Donna E Beardsworth Founder 1956 – 2011

Donna Beardsworth founded Beardsworth Consulting in 1986 and led the company from a startup of 10 people focused on medical writing to an internationally recognized, full-service contract research organization of over 50 employees and 100+ network of contract professionals. 2011 marks Beardsworth’s 25th anniversary of advancing the art and science of clinical research and she was proud to have achieved this milestone.

Donna grew up in Woodbury, CT and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and a Master of Arts in Biochemistry from Mount Holyoke College. Donna always acknowledged the value of her education at Mt. Holyoke. In her words, “I owe everything to the foundation built there. It is clear and undeniable and I recognize it every day.” Donna’s commitment to education continued through her involvement with industry organizations including Barnett International, Drug Information Association, and The R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute.

Following her graduation, Donna worked in the Clinical Research field at Massachusetts General Hospital for six years. She was hired by Johnson & Johnson to manage programs in precocious puberty and hairy cell leukemia. Donna uniquely understood the various aspects of clinical research, including the perspectives of patients, sites, CRO and sponsor. Her ‘hands on’ experience afforded her an incomparable vantage point from which to assess and develop clinical research practices. With this perspective and experience along with her goal to make a difference in healthcare, she founded Beardsworth Consulting Group, Inc.

Under her leadership, Donna grew Beardsworth into a CRO committed to oncology, newly emerging oncology vaccine therapies and other complicated trials. Long before patient-centric became an industry catchword, Donna incorporated the patient experience throughout the Beardsworth trial process. Recognizing the growing need for patient enrollment in clinical trials, Donna became an advocate of public education and awareness of the benefits of research participation. Beardsworth’s track record of 100+ oncology and oncology-related projects includes the largest CINV global project trial involving 134 sites and over 1400 patients. In 2009, Donna founded OncologyOne^SM strategically positioning Beardsworth and fellow regional CROs for global oncology projects. Despite industry trends and economic challenges, her mission to provide services of consistently superior quality, on time and on budget remains the hallmark of Beardsworth.

Donna Beardsworth, Founder, President and CEO of Beardsworth Consulting Group, Inc., died unexpectedly but peacefully on March 20, 2011. She was 54.

Throughout her career, Donna was honored with multiple awards. In 2002, Donna received the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year award in recognition of Beardsworth’s growth and community involvement. She served as Past President of the Northern NJ-Association of Clinical Research Professionals as well as a member of multiple industry organizations including the NJ Women President’s Organization, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and Diversity Alliance for Science, Drug Information Association. Donna also served as Treasurer and valued member of the Board of Directors of SAFE of Hunterdon County (formerly Women’s Crisis Services).

She was a scientific author, having been published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, and was a sought after speaker who willingly shared her extensive knowledge of the industry.

2011 marks Beardsworth’s 25^th anniversary and Donna’s vision remains the guiding heart of the company. And that vision is as true today as it has been for the past quarter century – Beardsworth’s dedication to service excellence in the fight against the devastation of disease, especially cancer, through the art and science of clinical research.