Willette R. Wilkins brings over 25 years of progressive experience in strategic leadership and business development to her role as Chief Strategy Officer. As part of the DCRI Executive Management Team, she is instrumental in developing and implementing strategic plans that guide growth, expansion, and scientific impact. Willette oversees the organization's short and long-term business strategy, identifying growth opportunities and potential partnerships to expand DCRI's footprint. Her extensive background includes roles as Associate Director and Assistant Director of Research Proposal Development, where she helped lead the development of strategic grants and proposals for faculty clinical research portfolios and served as a lead liaison with industry, federal, and foundation sponsors. Previously, she was a Biochemist at GlaxoSmithKline, where she developed small molecules, proteins and peptides in a variety of dosage forms in therapeutic areas such as oncology, antivirals, endocrine/metabolic disorders and cardiology. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Master of Business Administration degree from North Carolina Central University, as well as advanced graduate training toward a Ph.D. in Molecular Cancer Biology from Duke University.