Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Doerr.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Change is an immutable aspect of life that should be embraced. Sometimes you create your own change as an intentional act, and other times change is forced upon you. In either case, the specter of change can be destabilizing and uncomfortable, but it is these very qualities that push you to better yourself and often result in rewarding opportunities.
I grew up in a tiny town in Nebraska with little access to a world outside of my insular childhood other than the newspaper and television news. The expectation in my household was that I would study hard, do well in school, and proceed to work diligently at some career… not because I was particularly intelligent, but because I was given no option of failure. Thus, I made my way through professional school, residency, fellowship, and medical practice.
Change… I became rather disenchanted with the drudgery of clinical medical practice and seized an opportunity to join a global healthcare-exclusive venture capital firm as an investment professional. For thirteen years I thrived in an environment that included high achievers and fascinating entrepreneurs, coupled with both successes and failures.
Change… I was given the opportunity to join a relatively new company developing a unique isotope for human medical use, where I happily remain to this day.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As in most career histories, mine was replete with challenges and issues. I have had to watch significant investments which I endorsed go down in flames; I have been terminated due to changing direction of my firm where my skill set was no longer needed; I have had to deal with difficult personalities and an episode of sexual harassment in the work place. My ability to adapt to and embrace change has allowed me to migrate from one opportunity to another, and to grow through the process.
Care must be taken to promote the health of both the body and spirit. I find that consistent exercise including yoga, kick-boxing, bicycling and jogging are essential elements for work-life balance. Learning a new language, enjoying live music and theater, and traveling to developing countries for vacation nurture and refresh the soul, making the obstacles and challenges of work more manageable.
Serene – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is developing a platform technology to treat a number of medical conditions, using a unique isotope. The three current products have completed successful clinical trials in humans related to metastatic bone cancer and cardiovascular vulnerable plaque, and in dog osteoarthritis. Our first commercial product is being launched early in 2019, and a first-in-human clinical trial in arthritis will begin the same year. Our team works virtually, with each of us residing in different cities. We stay connected with frequent telephonic communications and occasional in-person meetings at conferences and other venues.
Working out of my home office I help design clinical protocols, give presentations at conferences, coordinate projects amongst team members and contractors, and many other activities.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success in both my business and personal life is defined as having a positive impact on my environment. This environment includes my friends, neighbors, family, business contacts, and random people I meet. It extends to promoting positive and constructive ideas that are far reaching on my social media posts, and includes environmental/ecological issues. I strive, not always successfully, to be a positive, empowering and uplifting force. If I can participate in the development of a product that will treat a disease in the process… all the better.
Contact Info:
- Website: serene-llc.com
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