Patricia McDonnell
Patricia McDonnell is a dedicated scientist and patient advocate with a career spanning pharmaceutical innovation, STEM education, and community engagement. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Chestnut Hill College and a PhD in Chemistry and Biophysics from the University of Pennsylvania. Over the course of her professional career, Patricia held senior leadership roles at Bristol Myers Squibb, managing research pipelines, leading cross-functional teams, and driving enterprise governance initiatives. Her work combined scientific rigor with strategic insight, consistently aiming to deliver impactful results in complex, matrixed environments.
A passionate advocate for STEM, Patricia has focused on supporting the next generation of scientists, particularly those from underserved and underrepresented communities. She co-founded and chaired the BMS STEM Council, contributed to the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s North Jersey/New York STEM chapter, and has long emphasized mentorship, inclusion, and outreach. Her experience in communication, leadership, and data visualization allowed her to bridge research with tangible educational initiatives, creating pathways for students to engage with science and innovation.
Now in retirement, Patricia has found her most fulfilling role as a board member and volunteer with KRASkickers.org, a patient advocacy organization supporting individuals with KRAS biomarker mutations. She translates complex scientific information for patients and caregivers, coordinates multi-stakeholder events, and fosters connections between researchers, clinicians, and the community. Beyond her professional and volunteer commitments, she enjoys golfing and participating in a book club, balancing her dedication to science and advocacy with personal enrichment and community involvement.
• University of Pennsylvania - PhD
• HBA Spark Award Winner
• Healthcare Business Women Association
• KRAS kickers Board of Directors
• KRAS kickers patient advocacy organization volunteer work
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of diverse scientific experience, meaningful mentorship—both received and provided—volunteer opportunities that opened unexpected doors, and a willingness to embrace new roles and challenges.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of career advice I ever received came from a mentor later in my career. During moments of stress or uncertainty, she simply told me to “just breathe” — to pause, take a break, and reset. Embracing this practice has been truly transformational, helping me navigate challenging situations with clarity and approach difficult moments in my professional life with greater composure.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is not to be afraid of the unknown. Constantly seek opportunities for growth and be willing to embrace discomfort — it’s in those uncertain moments, when roadmaps aren’t clear, that we truly learn. Keep your guiding goals, or “North Star,” in focus, and recognize that mistakes along the way are an essential part of your development and growth.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is transitioning from technical or laboratory roles into broader, less-defined spaces. This shift requires patience, incremental progress, and guidance from trusted advisors. At the same time, there is a tremendous opportunity in translating research into tangible impact for patients and caregivers, as well as expanding advocacy efforts to better support underserved communities.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life include community, compassion, and the drive to bridge knowledge with purpose. I am deeply committed to inclusion, particularly supporting underserved groups, and I prioritize continuous learning and mentorship as essential elements of growth and impact.
Locations
KRAS Kickers
Leland, NC 28451