Katherine’s Bio
Katherine Atkinson is the Chief Commercial Officer at Truvian. Ms. Atkinson has over two decades of life science and healthcare experience in a variety of sales leadership roles. Prior to joining Truvian, Ms. Atkinson was the vice president of business development at Edico Genome, where she established a global channel network and managed strategic partnerships.
Prior to Edico Genome, she worked for Illumina. During her tenure at Illumina, she oversaw numerous teams, including molecular biology/PCR sales, Inside Sales, Latin America, and most recently Global Channel Partners, where she developed a high performing Channel Partner program from the ground up, encompassing more than 70 partners covering 130 countries worldwide. Ms. Atkinson has also held positions at Fisher Scientific, Thermo Fisher, and Beckman Coulter. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Center for Community Solutions, an organization dedicated to end domestic and sexual violence by being a catalyst for caring communities.
Ms. Atkinson holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and Public Speaking from the University of Houston.
WITH GROUPS CREATING PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE FEMALES TO CONSIDER STEM, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO ENTRY THAT IS STILL PREVALENT TODAY?
While there are many great programs in development to attract women into STEM, there’s a lot more that can be done to keep women in STEM and more importantly, make them successful. Right now, men dominate executive and leadership roles at STEM companies, severely limiting the pool of executive women to help guide, mentor or serve as role models to young female talent, as well as to set the tone, goals and priorities within work cultures. We can change this, but we need the help of these men to make change happen. Men need to be part of the conversation to truly understand the issues women face and to make diversity a priority.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?
I am fortunate that I find inspiration from many sources. These days though, my daughter continues to amaze me. A single, working mother who is teaching her daughter that passion, determination and grit are the characteristics that can help navigate career challenges and reach any goal or dream set forth. If she falls down eight times, she gets up nine.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT/ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I am most proud when a former direct report or a female I mentored gets promoted. There is truly no bigger thrill than seeing them succeed and move on to greater things.