Berke Executive Search is a boutique life sciences executive search firm specializing in top talent placements for pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Establish key connections and create momentum with a niche-focused approach.
Expedite results, implement growth, and find leadership that fits, the first time.
Benefit from a tailored executive search uniquely designed to meet your organizational needs.
You pay only upon the successful placement of a highly qualified candidate who meets your specific requirements.
Our dedication to your success extends beyond the initial placement. We offer a 1-year guarantee with a commitment of a replacement candidate at no additional cost, ensuring a perfect fit.
At Berke Executive Search, we understand that exceptional leadership is the cornerstone of organizational success. Our boutique firm specializes in delivering personalized executive search solutions for the life science, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. By leveraging our decades of knowledge and extensive network, we identify and attract the most talented leaders who can help your organization achieve its strategic goals.
Navigating complex and unexpected challenges requires seasoned guidance and expert consultancy. We work to identify and attract the most qualified board and advisory members who offer proven experience, a strategic vision, ethical governance, and a promise of long-term sustainability.
We understand that the success of a company directly depends on the executive leadership driving it. Through thoughtful matching processes, we find C-suite leaders who align with your company culture, identify opportunities, offer solutions, and build high-performing teams.
Achieving operational excellence requires exceptional leaders who can build trust and create connections. We recruit senior functional leaders, VPs, and directors, who excel in executing, optimizing operations, understanding their team, and empowering others to achieve ambitious goals.
We believe that diverse leadership teams drive innovation and create a more equitable and successful future. In our executive searches we help your organization develop even more versatility, allowing you to adapt to and stay ahead of the ever-evolving life sciences industry.
The life sciences industry is vast and complex, encompassing a wide range of sectors and specialties. At the heart of it, are all the people who work to develop, produce, and distribute life-saving treatments and therapies. To succeed in this highly competitive field, companies need the best talent available and top-talent professionals sourced by experienced executive search firms.
Life sciences is undergoing unprecedented paradigm shifts in pricing, reimbursement, regulatory and value-based models. Innovative leadership, collaborations, partnerships, joint ventures, and licensing are all part of the shifts impacting life science sector strategies. In turn, its placed more emphasis on securing innovative leadership that can drive the collaborations, partnerships, and joint ventures of the future.
Leaders and highly specialized functional talent who understand the global markets and have a vision that can move organizations forward are in high demand. Our insights and vast experience in how and where to identify and secure talent comes from over two decades of developing and cultivating relationships within the life sciences community. Our team has developed valuable insights and expertise that enable us to accurately evaluate client needs, understand their specific challenges, and provide talent uniquely suited to their organization.
Develop a comprehensive search strategy tailored to your specific search needs.
Source out and rigorously assess top talent through a keen screening process.
Meet qualified candidates who fit with your culture, vision, and company objectives.
Get ongoing support throughout the onboarding process and experience a smooth transition.
See what others are saying and why we’re the trusted partner for top life sciences, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology organizations.
Book a complimentary call with us. We’d be pleased to learn about your executive search needs, what you do, and how we can help you.
Carl is a life sciences executive search professional who launched Berke Executive Search to strategically address the challenges industry leaders often encounter during their searches for best-fit executive talent. Before starting the company, Carl had spent nearly his entire career amassing professional search and recruitment experience, conducting searches at the executive, board, and senior commercial levels and for a wide variety of scientific and technical leadership positions.
The trusted, longstanding relationships Carl has with organizations afford him unfettered insight into the needs, challenges, and concerns senior staff often face during an executive search. Because Carl has dedicated the better part of his career to this industry, he’s extraordinarily mission-focused.
He appreciates and has a deep respect for the integral role healthcare and life sciences industries play in improving and saving people’s lives. This knowledge provides Carl and his team with the fuel and the focus to successfully complete every executive search.
Louisa Petropoulos served as President & CEO of C3i Center Inc. until end of September 2024. Under her leadership was built into a world-class leading full service CDMO in cell therapy space. She ed C3i to be the first and only CDMO in Canada with a Drug Establishment License issued by Health Canada and EMA compliance to manufacture for Canada & Europe for the commercial manufacturing of cell therapies. Throughout, she attracted leading pharma and NASDAQ-listed biotech companies, supported innovative start-up companies and university-based technologies.
Prior to that she was at Thrasos Therapeutics as Director of Business and Technology Development where she headed BD, Market & Commercial Development of Thrasos’ leading products. At Thrasos she was responsible for in/out-licensing, and US commercialization efforts of Thrasos products including market development, payor, pricing and reimbursement.
Prior to Thrasos, she was an Associate Director of BD at MethylGene (became Mirati) where she played an active role in the negotiations leading to successful licensing deal with upfront, RD and milestone payments of more than $50M. In addition, Louisa played a key R&D, market & commercial role in MethyGene’s anti-infective programs that helped advance the Company’s anti-fungal into clinical trials.
Before joining MethylGene, she spent 8 years in venture capital as part of Innovatech du Grand Montreal then Multiple Capital where she was Director of Life Science Investments leading and supporting numerous deals and public offerings including Enobia, MethylGene (Mirati) leading to over $1B in value.
She also held several board and observer seats that included Enobia (sale to Alexion), BioAxone, BioAgriculture (sale to Merck), Nextal Biotechnoligies (sale to Qiagen),Vascular Genetics (public company VIA Pharmaceuticals).
With over two decades of experience in business development, project management, and marketing, Anita drives strategic growth and community involvement. As a Managing Partner, she plays a pivotal role in connecting people to opportunities.
She brings a diverse background and a unique skillset with experience in government, commercial manufacturing, and investment banking. Her expertise in information technology, public relations, and business expansion contributes in attracting and securing premier talent.
Leading with adaptability and an unending curiosity for emerging trends, she prioritizes staying ahead of evolving markets and delivering an exceptional experience. Through her long-term partnerships, she creates opportunities for life science organizations and top-tier candidates to confidently navigate their executive job searches.
Vlad offers highly focused expertise in investment banking, private equity operations, and entrepreneurship. He is recognized as a subject matter expert in the biopharmaceutical and cell and gene therapy services sectors, creating opportunity to provide strategic counsel to growth-stage companies seeking financial and human capital resources.
Prior to his private equity career, Vlad held executive leadership positions at West Pharmaceutical Services, including Group President, Vice President of Marketing and R&D, and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development.
Currently, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of Tile Health, a healthcare IT company spun out of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He is also the Managing Partner of Medical Growth Partners (MGP) and a Senior Advisor to the Signet Healthcare Partners Fund. Through MGP and as a licensed investment banker, he provides M&A advisory services to private equity groups, and strategic buyers and sellers. Vlad continues to be an active member of the Philadelphia biotechnology community and serves on the boards of life science organizations such as iWell Health and Clova Health.
His involvement and participation in hundreds of transactions has established an intricate network within the life science and investment industries. Having founded a number of companies and having raised a pharmaceutical venture capital fund called Hatch Biofund, Vlad understands from experience the talent needs of startups and young companies. In connecting his community and through his expert knowledge, he has been paramount in his advisory services to Berke Executive Search while also recommending our executive search solutions.
Allan is a senior biopharmaceutical executive and board member with 20+ years of global transactional and operational leadership. A CPA with a Big Four accounting foundation, he brings expertise in capital markets, strategy, and operations, driving the sourcing, development, and commercialization of drug candidates across multiple therapeutic areas. A proven change agent, Shaw blends entrepreneurial and corporate experience, grounded in corporate governance, risk management, and leadership.
His accomplishments include defining corporate strategy and policy for diverse companies, from a $2B+ global biotech leader to early-stage ventures. He has led global financial and investor relations for NASDAQ, NYSE, and SWX-listed companies, overseeing accounting, SEC reporting, SOX compliance, tax, and IT.
He has crafted and executed investor relations strategies, managed teams of 4 to 400, and closed over $4B in public and private financings, including IPOs and secondary offerings.
As a life science practice leader, he drove shareholder value creation, building teams delivering integrated solutions across the biopharma value chain. He has identified and executed $1.2B+ in strategic opportunities, generating $50M in annual savings through streamlined functions and optimized investments. He has also supported pharmaceutical licensing across various therapeutic areas.
As a key member of a management team that grew revenue from $20M to $750M in six years, he provided strategic direction, built global finance teams, and implemented advanced technologies. He has also built high-performing teams, developed HR plans, and restructured finance functions to enhance commercial support.
Allan has served as CFO for public companies like Portage Biotech, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Serono S.A. (acquired by Merck), and Viatel. He also led the life sciences practice at Alvarez & Marsal and founded Shaw Strategic Capital. He currently serves on the boards of CalciMedica and Evecxia, and previously served on the boards of Blue Water Vaccines, VIVUS, Akari Therapeutics, and others. He has chaired audit and compensation committees for numerous boards.
Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to industry publications and podcasts, including "Life Science Leader" and the "Business of Biotech" podcast. His skills contribute greatly to the life science industry and include extensive CFO experience, a diverse industry background, and expertise in capital markets, strategy, operations, governance, and risk management.
The primary difference between a boutique search firm and a large search firm lies in the size, focus, and approach.
Boutique search firms, like Berke Executive Search, specialize in niche industries and are able to provide a more personalized and responsive experience. Additionally, boutique search firms often have deep networks within their specialized areas, enabling them to identify top-tier candidates who may not be actively seeking new opportunities.
Our rigorous vetting process goes beyond resumes. We leverage our 20+ years of experience, our deep industry network, and research capabilities to identify and attract high-performing executives who possess the specific skills and experience required for your role.
The timeframe can vary depending on the complexity of the role and the talent pool. However, Berke Executive Search prioritizes efficiency while maintaining the highest quality standards. We keep you informed throughout the process and strive to complete searches expeditiously.
Our team continuously monitors industry publications, attends key conferences, and maintains close relationships with industry leaders. This ongoing research allows us to identify top talent and understand the evolving needs of the life sciences market.
At Berke Executive Search, we believe in establishing trusting and collaborative partnerships. We work closely with you to define the ideal candidate profile, then tailor our search strategy to identify and attract exceptional talent who aligns not only with the role's requirements but also with your company culture.
We have extensive access to a pre-qualified network of top executives, allowing connections to top talent executives you might not find through internal channels. Additionally, our experience reduces time spent on the search process, freeing your team to focus on core business activities.
Our decades of industry expertise, a proven track record of success, and a commitment to personalized service positions us as a top choice for life sciences organizations seeking exceptional executive talent.
Cultural fit is key. We employ a comprehensive approach that includes understanding your company culture, evaluating candidates' soft skills, and conducting in-depth interviews to identify individuals who will thrive within your organization.
Our fees are structured competitively and aligned with the success of your search. We offer 3 different models: retained, modified retained, and exclusive contingent. In our initial consultation, we determine together which structure best suits your business needs.
We welcome you to get in touch with us for a complementary consultation. We'll discuss your business needs, the job role, the responsibilities, the required skills, the cultural fit, desired qualifications, and the most suitable fee structure. From there, we initiate the process to find the perfect fit.
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