Who We Are
A Diversity Organization With A Unique Perspective
About Total
REPRESENTING THE CHANGING FACE OF CLINICAL TRIALS
At TOTAL Diversity Clinical Trial Management, we think boldly about inclusion, and we believe forward thinking related to diversity strengthens us all; therefore, we strive to understand the realities of others in all aspects of our work.
As the first full-service Diversity Organization offering enterprise level as well as site specific support to the clinical trials industry, we have been at it for over a decade. With our experience as a Contract Research Organization and previously as innovators and Founders of one of the first centralized patient recruitment firms, a focus on diversity is in our make-up.
TOTAL has developed an operational, evidence-based delivery model to provide high quality, flexible, cost-effective patient engagement and diversity services to our Sponsor companies. As an example, our DTEACH© platform provides training to research sites on how to increase their capabilities allowing sites to meet diverse enrollment goals. The strength and success of our organization is directly related to the core team’s knowledge of the clinical trial process and how to identify, educate and engage the target population for participation in clinical trials.
In addition, our services include consulting, feasibility assessment for sites, training programs, patient recruitment and retention services and more. Our growing network of sites includes experienced diversity-oriented researchers as well as those who have access to underrepresented populations.
Contact our team of experts for more information regarding meeting challenges and removing barriers in enrollment within clinical trials
Chairman of the Board
Jerome Adams, MD, MPH
Chairman of the Board
Jerome Adams, MD, MPH
Director of Diversity Training & Education
Former Vice Admiral Jerome Adams, MD, MPH joined Total Diversity Clinical Trial Management as Chairman of the Board in March 2022.
Dr. Adams also currently serves as Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives at Purdue University. He formerly served as the 20th United States Surgeon General and as a member of the President’s COVID-19 task force, where he was at the forefront of America’s most pressing health challenges throughout the pandemic including working with companies to increase diversity in vaccine trials.
As the Chairman of the Board for Total Diversity, Dr. Adams will share his in-depth knowledge of patient perspectives and industry views on diversity in order to create sustainable solutions and best practices to establish more diverse representation in clinical trials.
Key Team Members
Diana Foster, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Melynda Geurts
Senior Vice President, CRO Services
Crystal Thigpen
Marketing and Communications Director
Crystal Thigpen
Marketing and Communications Director
Crystal is a versatile and results-oriented marketing and communications professional with extensive experience in strategy, company branding, and managing dynamic channels. She has more than 10 years of experience in developing plans to lead the launch of consistent, successful marketing programs that drive company growth.
Crystal is a versatile and results-oriented marketing and communications professional with extensive experience in strategy, company branding, and managing dynamic channels. She has more than 10 years of experience in developing plans to lead the launch of consistent, successful marketing programs that drive company growth.
As Marketing and Communications Associate, Crystal is responsible for working with leadership to develop a strategy that will elevate Total Diversity’s brand presence with key partners. Crystalpromotes industry awareness of TOTAL’s continuum of unique products related to diversity in clinical trials through the development and management of educational content for social media, marketing, and sales collateral.
Crystal is passionate about creating clear and concise materials that help advance the mission of TOTAL Diversity. As such, Crystal’s skillset is also appliedto the creation of culturally representative patient recruitment and site education and training materials for key partner projects.
Before joining TOTAL Diversity, Crystal worked in communications in the Oil and Gas industry in her hometown of Houston, Texas. She provided marketing and communications support forexternal and internal materials, including a quarterly newsletter, social mediacontent, sales presentations and the company intranet.
Crystal earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising from Regent University.
Kristy Wort
Vice President, Clinical Operations
Bill Soller, Ph.D.
Director, Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance
Laquita Gilbert
Project Support Manager
Laquita Gilbert
Director of Diversity Training & Education
Laquita is an exceptional professional with a profound commitment to community outreach and education.
Her expertise lies in health promotion and developing and implementing comprehensive outreach programs that address the unique needs of diverse communities. Her passion for creating positive change shines through her ability to build strong relationships and engage with individuals from all backgrounds.
With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized populations, Laquita utilizes her expertise to design effective strategies that empower research sites and communities. Her extraordinary communication skills allow her to connect with diverse audiences, ensuring that important messages are understood and embraced.
Staff Advisor
Paul Rogers
Assistant Project Manager
Paul Rogers
Assistant Project Manager
With 5 years’ experience in working within the clinical research industry, Paul Rogers has grown with Total Diversity Clinical Trial Management (Total Diversity) as an Assistant Project Manager, as well as Total Diversity’s LGBTQ+ and Asian Community advisor.
With 5 years’ experience in working within the clinical research industry, Paul Rogers has grown with Total Diversity Clinical Trial Management (Total Diversity) as an Assistant Project Manager, as well as Total Diversity’s LGBTQ+ and Asian Community advisor.
Prior to joining Total Diversity, Paul was a clinical research coordinator providing site level support and ensuring protocol compliance. Having earned certification as a CCRC, Paul continued to grow his knowledge and gained certification as a CCRA to better uphold quality assurance standards.
A passion for history has granted Paul a perspective of appreciation for living in our present and all the progress that has been made for inclusion and acceptance. As more conversations occur, we are best enabled to cultivate a support system of inclusion for underrepresented populations.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Careers
You can count on an in-depth, hands-on experience if you choose a career with Total Diversity. We are dedicated to providing an open, supportive work environment which encourages career advancement by providing opportunities for growth.
Diana L. Foster, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Diana L. Foster currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Total Diversity Clinical Trial Management. She has worked with Total Diversity since inception and has guided Total Diversity as it has become a full-service contract research organization.
Dr. Diana Foster is a recognized expert in the intricacies of site management and an innovator in the use of strategic marketing and positioning tactics. Diana has designed and facilitated site management and patient recruitment trainings across the globe. While serving as president at DAC Patient Recruitment Services (formerly D. Anderson & Company), Diana led the organization through its evolution as a niche site management organization, Rheumatology Research International, to its current status as a premier patient recruitment organization. Her early tenure as head of an SMO gave her a unique understanding of how sites operate and what they need to reach enrollment goals within targeted timelines.
Over the past seven years, Diana has also been a consultant to the Society for Clinical Research Sites as their Vice President of Strategy and Development and in that role is responsible for building relationships with industry that help amplify the voice of the clinical research site.
Over the past two decades, Diana has addressed audiences across five continents, published multiple papers and articles, and written five authoritative industry books including “Global Issues in Patient Recruitment and Retention,” the highly anticipated sequel to “International Patient Recruitment: Regulatory Guidelines, Customs and Practices.” The books serve as teaching tools for colleges and universities, along with her earlier works: “A Guide to Patient Recruitment,” “A Guide to Patient Recruitment and Retention” and “50 Ways to Cope with Arthritis.” In addition, she has been a sought after speaker and given hundreds of presentations across the world.
Her personal honors include recognition by the Global EXEC Women’s International Council as a 2009 International Woman of Influence, being named a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2008, and an induction into the 2006 PharmaVOICE “100 Most Inspiring People in the Life-Sciences Industry.” She is among accomplished women around the globe who are changing the way international clinical trials are conducted.
Diana currently serves on the boards of the Center for Information & Study on Clinical Research Participation, Journal for Clinical Studies and R&D Directions, and serves as Chief Strategy Officer and advisor for the Society for Clinical Research Sites. Her professional commitments include active involvement in the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation Development Advisory Council.
Aaron Berg
Chief Financial Officer
Aaron Berg serves as Chief Financial Officer for Total Diversity Clinical Trial Management (Total Diversity). He joined Total Diversity in 2014 as Vice President of Finance and was promoted to his current role in 2017.
In his role, he oversees the accounting and finance department as well as human resources. He is a key point of contact for all Total Diversity clients and core vendors as he is directly involved with all corporate contracting activities. As a member of the leadership team, Aaron provides strategic guidance and planning support to Total Diversity’s executives and leads the company’s financial decision making and budgeting processes.
Prior to joining Total Diversity, Aaron served in various roles in finance and contracting for a leading international patient recruitment and retention company as well as purchasing and contracting roles with large hospital organizations. He brings 13 years of clinical research experience to his role at Total Diversity along with a unique understanding of the financial aspects of clinical research at the sponsor, CRO, and site level. His experience and understanding are critical to driving innovative and flexible solutions to create mutually beneficial relationships with Total Diversity’s clients, vendors, and sites.
Aaron received his Master of Business Administration from the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma and a finance degree from Oklahoma State University.
Melynda Geurts
Senior Vice President, CRO Services
A clinical research veteran with more than 20 years of leadership experience in the support of clinical trials, Melynda Geurts, M.S. joined Total Diversity Clinical Trial Management (Total Diversity) in 2018 from DAC Patient Recruitment Services, an Imperial Clinical Research Services division, where she served as the vice president of clinical operations.
In addition, Melynda held the position of Chief Operating Officer with D. Anderson & Company, an early innovator in centralized, global patient recruitment services for 13 years. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the execution of global recruitment and retention programs across Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific regions.
Melynda serves as senior vice president of CRO Services for Total Diversity. She is responsible for developing strategy to maintain Total Diversity’s relevance and competitive position within the market, generating and securing business opportunities, and overseeing the company’s clinical operations team and patient recruitment services offerings.
Melynda’s varied experience in clinical research includes leadership of clinical operations teams, development and execution of global patient recruitment and retention programs, evaluation of organizations within the industry for acquisition to grow service offerings and international representation through speaking engagements.
Melynda is Total Diversity’s global impact partner representative for the Society of Clinical Research Sites. She has served as a past member of the Drug Information Association and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. She is a past recipient of the PharmaVoice Top 100 of the Most Inspiring People as Commanders and Chief, and she is a contributing author to A Guide to Patient Recruitment and Retention, A Guide to Patient Recruitment: Today’s Best Practices and Proven Strategies, and Global Issues in Patient Recruitment and Retention in addition to numerous publications focused on patient recruitment.
Melynda earned a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Texas Woman’s University at Denton and a Master’s degree in healthcare administration from Texas Woman’s University at the Health Science Center in Dallas.
Kristy Wort
Vice President, Clinical Operations
Kristy Wort serves as a Vice President of Clinical Operations for Total Diversity Clinical Trial Management (Total Diversity). In this role, she has strategic oversight of multiple studies across operations, including monitoring and support teams, as well as those for site administration and payments.
Before joining Total Diversity in 2017, Wort started her career at a research site as a Recruitment Manager and eventually moved into a position as a Global Project Manager for Acurian, which was acquired by PPD in 2013. She has more than 20 years of experience in operational delivery in clinical trials, including global regulations, cultures, and customs relevant to the successful implementation of projects in the clinical trial industry.
Wort has a vast array of therapeutic experience, including women’s health, dermatology, hematology/oncology, rare disease, nervous system and endocrine/metabolic just to name a few. In addition to her therapeutic experience, Kristy is a contributor the industry’s body of knowledge related to global patient recruitment and retention, and she was a contributing author to Global Issues in Patient Recruitment and Retention published by CenterWatch.
Kristy earned a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Intercontinental University in Atlanta. She holds a green belt certification in risk-based management.
Bill Soller, Ph.D.
Director, Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance
Dr. Bill Soller has over 30 years of experience in clinical trial management, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance services in support of pharmaceutical and medical device development.
Dr. Soller received his Ph.D. in Medical Sciences at Weill-Cornell Medical College. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, thereafter appointed Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, and a member of the Institute for Neuroscience. As Vice President of Scientific Affairs for Glenbrook Laboratories/Sterling Drug Company, he led regulatory affairs and product development programs. As Senior Vice President and Officer of the Consumer Health Care Products Association, Dr. Soller managed scientific, clinical, and pharmaceutical quality research programs and regulatory affairs across many product categories (1985-2002).
Dr. Soller was recruited by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy as Professor of Clinical Pharmacy (2003-2013). He taught research design, health policy and regulatory affairs in the School’s health policy pathway and managed the first UCSF telehealth clinics, which provided remote medical therapy management of patients with diabetes and all major co-morbidities. His funding was from medical device and pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy foundations, and state programs. He organized and managed the telehealth clinic settings as research sites with associated robust quality assurance programs for clinical trial management. He also conducted separate research programs in health communication, pharmacoepidemiology, drug labeling, and telehealth Apps.
From UCSF, Dr. Soller moved to Texas, working as Director of Quality Assurance for a Houston-based research analytical laboratory and consulting on pharmaceutical and medical device development. In 2016 he joined Total Diversity, and as head of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance. Dr. Soller conducts QA programs for all Total Diversity-managed trials to ensure FDA and Sponsor readiness.
Amanda Rangel
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Amanda Rangel, MS, CCRC, serves as senior vice president of business development for Total Diversity Clinical Trial Management (Total Diversity). Bringing to the team 20 years of clinical research experience, she joined in 2021 and is responsible for continuing to enhance Total Diversity’s client base among existing and new clients alike.
Amanda is well established and an expert in building relationships within the clinical trials industry. Her broad skill set covers business development, marketing, patient recruitment and operational roles within various organization types, including small sites, large global site networks, CROs, technology providers and startups.
As Senior VP, Business Development, Amanda is responsible for fostering Total Diversity’s industry partnerships critical to the advancement of diversity and inclusion in clinical trials. Through these partnerships, Amanda aims to understand the specific needs of each client and site so that Total Diversity may then custom tailor the right solution for each organization no matter where they may be on their journey to integrate diversity and inclusion best practices.
Amanda has dedicated her career to improving the quality and efficiency of clinical trial conduct. Before Total Diversity, Amanda served as executive vice president of business development for VirTrial, a leading telehealth and decentralized clinical trial (DCT) platform provider designed specifically for clinical trials. Anticipating the need to support DCTs and diverse enrollment at the site level, well in advance of COVID-19, VirTrial was thoughtfully positioned to support the continuity of clinical trial conduct
throughout the pandemic. In her position, Amanda became a sought after DCT subject matter expert and speaker across the globe.
Prior to VirTrial, Amanda led the US-based global sales team for Synexus, the largest site network in the world with 200 sites across 11 countries. With a successful history of top enrollment in clinical trials, centralized administrative processes and standardized business functions, the unique efficiencies of Synexus set it apart from other clinical research sites.
For the last decade, Amanda has been an active contributing member for the Society of Clinical Research Sites (SCRS), whose mission is to unify the voice of the global clinical research site community for site sustainability.
Amanda earned a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Kim Kundert
Senior Vice President, Site Development Services
Kim is an operational leader with a proven track record of success with over 20 years’ experience in the clinical trial industry. She recently joined Total Diversity to serve as Senior Vice President of Site Development Services. In this role, she is focused on building out the Total Diversity site network which will be capable of identifying and enrolling underrepresented populations.
Kim is an operational leader with a proven track record of success with over 20 years’ experience in the clinical trial industry. She recently joined Total Diversity to serve as Senior Vice President of Site Development Services. In this role, she is focused on building out the Total Diversity site network which will be capable of identifying and enrolling underrepresented populations.
Prior to Total Diversity, Kim served as the Senior VP of Operations for VirTrial, a best-in-class clinical trial telemedicine software platform focused on offering flexible, hybrid study options. VirTrial helped moved the needle on decentralized and hybrid clinical trials.
Kim has spent most of her career building and managing research study sites. For 19 years, she held a leadership role at Radiant Research/Synexus, helping to build the largest site network in the world. Kundert was responsible for overseeing operations and performance of 84 research sites across the US and had some hand in approximately 10,000 trials. Radiant/Synexus was the first site network to centralize and standardize departments, processes and business functions to create efficiencies.
Kim has her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Arizona State University. She pursued a career in nursing due to her inherent desire to help people.
Laquita Gilbert
Project Support Manager
Laquita is an exceptional professional with a profound commitment to community outreach and education.
Her expertise lies in health promotion and developing and implementing comprehensive outreach programs that address the unique needs of diverse communities. Her passion for creating positive change shines through her ability to build strong relationships and engage with individuals from all backgrounds.
With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized populations, Laquita utilizes her expertise to design effective strategies that empower research sites and communities. Her extraordinary communication skills allow her to connect with diverse audiences, ensuring that important messages are understood and embraced.
