Tina (Weldt) Karunaratne

I attribute my success to passion and purpose. At the core of everything I do is a genuine desire to help people, particularly within healthcare, but also far beyond it. Whether it’s supporting communities impacted by natural disasters in my home country, Sri Lanka, sponsoring and mentoring students, or supporting animal welfare organizations, I believe in showing up for people in whatever way I can.

When you are truly passionate about what you do, you naturally give it your full commitment. You put in more than what is expected because the work matters deeply to you. I believe that level of dedication becomes visible, it builds trust, meaningful relationships, and ultimately opportunities for growth and impact. For me, success has never been solely about titles or achievements; it’s about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives and knowing that the work I do has purpose.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was to never be afraid to chase my dreams and to always stay true to who I am. Success comes when you are authentic, sincere, and willing to step outside of your comfort zone.

I’ve learned the importance of being assertive enough to advocate for yourself, while also remaining curious and open to continuous learning. Some of the greatest opportunities in my career came from asking questions, taking risks, and embracing uncertainty rather than fearing it.

Most importantly, I believe that when you lead with passion, integrity, and genuine purpose, people notice. Careers are not built solely on titles or achievements, they are built on relationships, trust, resilience, and the courage to pursue work that truly matters to you.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to pursue not only financial success, but more importantly, your passion and purpose. Ask yourself: What truly motivates me? What kind of impact do I want to make? When you find work that genuinely aligns with your values and passions, you naturally give it your full commitment, and that’s when exceptional things begin to happen.

Early in your career, it’s normal to feel uncertain or overwhelmed by the many paths and opportunities available. That’s why it’s so important to explore, ask questions, and do the research to understand what different industries and roles truly offer. Don’t simply rely on what others say, take the time to discover for yourself what fulfills and inspires you.

I also strongly encourage young professionals to network, network, network. Build relationships, communicate with people, seek mentors, and remain curious. Some of the most valuable opportunities and lessons come from meaningful conversations and authentic connections.

Most importantly, believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to take risks. When you lead with passion, integrity, and purpose, your dedication becomes visible. People recognize authenticity and hard work, and over time, the success, growth, and financial rewards will follow.

One of the biggest challenges in the life sciences and clinical research industry right now is balancing speed and innovation with humanity and inclusivity. Many sponsor companies are under tremendous pressure to be the first to market, and in that race to “finish first,” we sometimes lose sight of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in clinical trials. Marginalized and underserved populations continue to be underrepresented in research, despite often carrying a disproportionate burden of disease. If we truly want to develop therapies that are safe, effective, and applicable to real-world populations, inclusivity cannot be treated as an afterthought, it must be intentionally built into clinical trial design and execution from the beginning.

At the same time, we are seeing rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and automation across the industry. While AI presents tremendous opportunities for efficiency and innovation, there is also a risk of overreliance on technology in areas that still require human judgment and connection, particularly when it comes to hiring and talent development. Some organizations are filtering candidates so heavily through automated systems that they may be overlooking exceptional individuals who bring unique experiences, resilience, creativity, and emotional intelligence to the table.

Another challenge, and opportunity is creating workplace cultures where employees genuinely feel heard and included in decision-making. Somewhere along the way, many organizations moved away from the mindset of “invite everyone to the table and let the best idea win.” Innovation thrives when diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences are welcomed and respected. Some of the most transformative ideas can come from individuals at any level of an organization, not just leadership.

Ultimately, I believe the greatest opportunity in our field lies in combining innovation with empathy, leveraging technology, science, and operational excellence while still keeping people at the center of every decision we make.

The values that matter most to me, both professionally and personally: are kindness, empathy, sincerity, and genuineness. No matter how advanced technology becomes or how fast-paced our world gets, nothing can truly replace the human touch. I believe people remember how you made them feel far more than what you said or did.

I try to live by a simple principle: treat others the way you would want to be treated. Whether in leadership, mentorship, business, or personal relationships, respect and compassion go a long way in building trust and meaningful connections.

I also strongly believe in recognizing fatigue and the importance of balance. We live in a culture that often glorifies being constantly busy, but mental, emotional, and physical well-being matter. It’s important to make time for yourself, your family, and your friends before it becomes too late. Success means very little if it comes at the expense of the people and moments that matter most.

At the end of the day, I want to live and work in a way that leaves no room for regret, knowing that I showed up authentically, cared deeply for others, and made a meaningful difference wherever I could.