Tina (Weldt) Karunaratne
Tina Karunaratne is a seasoned life sciences executive, entrepreneur, and patient advocate with more than 22 years of experience across biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors. Her career has been defined by deep expertise in clinical operations and program management, as well as a commitment to advancing innovative therapies from concept through execution. After navigating multiple industry layoffs, Tina transformed a moment of uncertainty into opportunity in 2023 by launching her own consulting practice—quickly evolving it into a boutique clinical research organization founded alongside a team of experienced women leaders. Built on a fractional C-suite model, the organization partners closely with startups and emerging companies, focusing on strategic clinical trial management and fostering meaningful, trust-based relationships rather than transactional engagements.
In parallel with her entrepreneurial work, Tina is the founder and CEO of Bridge to Compassionate Care, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping patients and caregivers identify and navigate clinical trial opportunities. Established in 2025 and granted 501(c)(3) status shortly thereafter, the organization reflects her deep commitment to reducing barriers in healthcare and improving access to potentially life-changing treatments. Her advocacy extends beyond formal roles—she has supported global humanitarian efforts, including raising significant funds for disaster relief in Sri Lanka and assisting families facing complex medical challenges. Whether through healthcare innovation or community outreach, her work is consistently driven by compassion and a desire to make a tangible difference.
Beyond her leadership roles, Tina is an adjunct instructor and mentor, guiding the next generation of professionals entering the life sciences field. She encourages young women in particular to pursue purpose over profit, emphasizing the importance of passion, continuous learning, and building strong professional networks. A frequent speaker and active contributor to industry forums, she brings both strategic insight and human-centered perspective to every space she enters. Through her work, Tina continues to champion a vision of healthcare that is not only innovative, but also inclusive, empathetic, and deeply connected to the people it serves.
• Northeastern University
LP.D - Doctor of Law and Policy
• Regis College
MS, Regulatory Affairs in Drugs, Devices, Biologics, and Health Policy
• Boston University
BS, Healthcare Administration & Sociology
• Bridge to Compassionate Care (Founder
• Non-profit helping patients and caregivers identify and navigate clinical trials)
• Supporting students in Sri Lanka (financially supporting three high school students)
• Disaster relief in Sri Lanka (raised close to $20
• 000 via GoFundMe for cyclone victims
• Provided food and dry rations)
• Supporting cancer patients (helping a mother in Spain whose son has rare form of cancer
• Contributing to GoFundMe and connecting with doctors)
• Animal welfare in Sri Lanka (financially supporting people who help stray dogs and cats)
What do you attribute your success to?
I think it's the passion. It's the passion to help people, particularly in the healthcare arena, but not just healthcare. Whether it's supporting people affected by natural disasters like the cyclone that hit Sri Lanka, helping a mother in Spain whose son has a rare form of cancer, or supporting students and animal welfare organizations, it's about being there for people in whatever way I can. When you have passion and purpose, you put in your 200%, and when you do that, you're visible, you're recognized, and hopefully you'll be rewarded. It's about doing work that genuinely matters to me and making a real difference in people's lives.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Number one, it's important to go after the money, but it's probably more important to go after your passion. What is it that you're passionate about? What is your purpose in life? Because that's when you'll start giving 200%. Often, young women or anyone at that young age is at crossroads and not fully aware of what the different industries offer. So once you've identified the passion, it's basically doing research. Networking is another big one I always tell students and any young people to do. Network, network, network. Communicate, talk to people, and do that soul-searching. Find out for yourself, don't just go with the hearsayers. Find out for yourself, what is it that I can get out of this to actually fulfill my passion and purpose? Everything else will come. Money will come and everything else, because when you put in your 200%, you're visible, you're recognized, and hopefully you'll be rewarded.