Maria O'rourke
About Maria O'rourke
Maria O'Rourke is an Executive Director at Kite Pharma with extensive experience in clinical program management and organizational design. She has held various leadership roles in prominent biotechnology companies, including Gilead Sciences and Amgen, and specializes in enhancing operational efficiency within clinical trial operations.
Work at Kite Pharma
Currently, Maria O'Rourke serves as the Executive Director at Kite Pharma, a position she has held since 2022. Prior to this role, she was appointed as Senior Director in 2021. In her tenure at Kite Pharma, she has been involved in operating model design, which includes creating frameworks for how the organization operates to achieve its strategic goals.
Previous Experience at Gilead Sciences
Maria O'Rourke has extensive experience at Gilead Sciences, where she held multiple roles. She worked as a Senior Clinical Program Manager from 2012 to 2015, followed by a position as Associate Director from 2015 to 2018. She then advanced to the role of Director from 2018 to 2020. Her time at Gilead Sciences spanned over eight years, primarily in the Greater Seattle Area.
Background in Clinical Research
Maria O'Rourke has a solid foundation in clinical research, having worked at various organizations. She began her career as a Laboratory Assistant at Targeted Genetics and progressed through roles at Immunex, Amgen, and Geron. Her positions included Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Operations Manager, and Clinical Program Manager, showcasing her growth in the clinical research field.
Education and Expertise
Maria O'Rourke holds a Master of Arts degree from Gonzaga University, which she obtained from 2005 to 2007. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington, completing her studies from 1988 to 1994. Her expertise includes organizational design and development, business process improvement, and regulatory inspection preparation and response.
Achievements in Organizational Design
Throughout her career, Maria O'Rourke has specialized in organizational design and development. She focuses on structuring teams and processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Her experience also includes optimizing workflows within clinical trial operations, demonstrating her commitment to improving productivity in the clinical research sector.