Actionable Solutions to Problems That Need Action
To register for the Site Council Leadership Forum 2026, click here. For thought-provoking ideas from the Site Council Leadership Forum 2025, click here.
At our inaugural event in New Orleans, senior site leaders, plus experts from study sponsors, CROs and solution providers, discussed nine strategic challenges that can make or break an investigative site. The highly interactive format worked very well. We efficiently shared consequential insights, acquired practical tips, and formed new relationships (not just networking contacts), any one of which could have strategic consequences for a clinical research enterprise.
What the participants are saying:
"The Site Council Leadership Forum uniquely brings together site, sponsor and CRO leaders for solution-driven discussions."
Cerdi Beltre, Chief Operating Officer. Innovo Research
"The discussion was at a higher level than I have experienced at other conferences. The problem solving and growth concepts were truly helpful and enlightening."
Rick Greenfield, Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, RealTime eClinical Solutions
"The conversational format of the sessions and smaller size of the event created an open and reassuring environment for learning."
Nick Duesbery, Assistant Vice President of Research, Ochsner Health
"I really appreciated the ease of connecting, learning and empathy in this crazy space we call ‘clinical research.’”
Donna Benson, CEO, PCT Networks
"It felt like everyone in the room was an expert in their field. As a CRO and service provider, it's important for us to hear directly from sites regarding their pain points and how we can collaborate to improve our ecosystem moving forward."
Vatche Bartekian, President, Vantage BioTrials
"This meeting should be the model for all future meetings."
Alex White, CEO, Progressive Medical Research
Our next event will be on April 21-22, 2026 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle in Cary, North Carolina. Site Council members, Study Sponsors, and CROs will work together to characterize important problems and practical solutions so sites/sponsors/CROs can individually and collectively address them. To register, click here. We do not have a room block, so book your lodging room on your own at the event hotel or other hotel in the area. To learn more, contact us at support@sitecouncil.org.
04:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Registration & Welcome Reception
08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration, Breakfast & Networking
09:00 AM - 09:20 AM
Welcome
Norman M. Goldfarb - Executive Director - The Site Council
09:20 AM - 10:00 AM
How Can We Work with Study Sponsors and CROs to Accelerate Study Startup?
Carlos Orantes - Chief Executive Officer - Alcanza Clinical Research
Brandi Walker - Global Head, Clinical Operations - Syneos
10:00 AM - 10:20 AM
Networking
10:20 AM - 11:00 AM
How Can We Work with Study Sponsors and CROs to Over-Achieve on Patient Enrollment?
Almenia Garvey - Sr. Director Global Feasibility/Site Engagement - Allucent
Stephen Loosli - Principal - Boeson Research
11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Networking
11:20 AM - 12:00 PM
How Can We Work with Study Sponsors and CROs to Rationalize Study Technology?
Maria Nunez - VP, Portfolio and Project Delivery - DM Clinical Research
Nicole Stansbury - Senior Vice President, Global Clinical Operations - Premier Research
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
01:00 PM - 01:40 PM
How Can We Work with Study Sponsors and CROs to Get the Revenue We Deserve When We Deserve It?
Jesse Hoffman - Chief Business Officer - Alliance for Multispecialty Research (AMR)
Vatche Bartekian - President - Vantage BioTrials
01:40 PM - 02:00 PM
Networking
02:00 PM - 02:40 PM
How Can We Work with Study Sponsors and CROs to Mitigate Study Delays and Cancellations?
Nick Spittal - Chief Operating Officer - Velocity Clinical Research
Nan Croy - Associate Director, Site Partnerships - CSL
02:40 PM - 03:00 PM
Networking
03:00 PM - 03:40 PM
How Can We Work with Study Sponsors and CROs to Resolve a Thousand Other Annoying Problems?
Quincy Byrdsong - Vice President, Research Operations - Ballad Health
Amanda Martin - Senior Global Project Manager - ICON plc
03:40 PM - 04:00 PM
Networking
04:00 PM - 04:40 PM
How Can We Work with Study Sponsors and CROs to Foster Mutually Beneficial Relationships?
Michelle Mack - Associate Director of Research Operations - Duke University School of Medicine
Donna Kostandy - Director, Strategic Site Collaborations - PPD
04:40 PM - 05:00 PM
Closing Discussion
Norman M. Goldfarb - Executive Director - The Site Council
05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Informal Networking