Jennifer Byrne To Deliver Commencement Speech At Salem College

On May 4, at 10 a.m., Salem College will host its commencement ceremony in the historic May Dell amphitheater, featuring Jennifer Byrne, co-founder and CEO of Javara, as the keynote speaker. Byrne, renowned for her influential role in the clinical research sector, has been instrumental in enhancing access to clinical trials for patients, biopharma companies, and healthcare systems alike. Her innovative approach has significantly contributed to the evolution of clinical research integration within clinical care.

Salem Academy and College President Summer McGee, Ph.D., CPH, expressed enthusiasm about Byrne's participation, highlighting her alignment with Salem College's vision of promoting health equity and creating more equitable communities. Byrne's career has been marked by her leadership in fostering partnerships and building teams aimed at improving the connection between patients and clinical trials.

Byrne's extensive experience includes her previous role as CEO of PMG Research and founding Greater Gift, a non-profit aimed at raising awareness of clinical research. Her contributions have spanned over 8,000 clinical trials, underscoring her significant impact on the field. Addressing the graduating class, Byrne emphasized the pivotal role these young women will play in shaping a healthier future for society.

Her achievements have not gone unnoticed; Byrne has received numerous accolades such as the PM360 ELITE, CenterWatch Top 20 Innovator, PharmaVOICE Woman of Influence, and has been named a Triad Business Journal Power Player for two consecutive years. Currently, she holds positions as board chair for Javara and Greater Gift, along with several advisory roles including board director for Nmible and advisory chair for Wake Forest University's master's program in clinical research management.

Byrne's educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in scientific nutrition from Texas A&M University. Her upcoming commencement address at Salem College is highly anticipated by students and faculty alike. For more details on the commencement ceremony, interested parties are encouraged to visit salem.edu/commencement or contact [email protected].