Jennifer Byrne Scheduled to Speak at Salem College on May 4 during the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2024
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (MARCH 18, 2024) – Jennifer Byrne, co-founder and chief executive officer of Javara, a Triad-based company focused on integrating clinical research into clinical care, will provide the commencement address at Salem College on Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m. in Salem’s historic outdoor May Dell amphitheater.
Internationally recognized for advancing the clinical research enterprise, Byrne has revolutionized the industry by accelerating access to research for patients, biopharma companies, and healthcare systems.
“Salem College is privileged to have Jennifer on campus to share her remarkable journey with our graduates during commencement this year,” Salem Academy and College President Summer McGee, Ph.D., CPH said.
“Jennifer’s resounding commitment to transforming the future of clinical research and how it improves health is deeply connected to our Salem College vision to advance health equity in society and our mission to create healthier and more equitable communities,” McGee added.
As a leader, Byrne has devoted her career to leading organizations, building teams, and cultivating partnerships centered on advancing clinical research to better connect patients and providers to clinical trials. Byrne co-founded Javara with a vision to engage innovative research partnerships and deploy comprehensive research services to bridge the gaps between healthcare systems and the research industry and to better connect empowered patients to clinical trials.
As the former chief executive officer of PMG Research, a national network of clinical research locations, and founder of Greater Gift, a non-profit founded to increase awareness of clinical research, Byrne’s involvement in the clinical research enterprise has been vast with her contribution to over 8,000 clinical trials.
“As graduates of the nation’s leading college dedicated to elevating and expanding the role of women in health leadership, the Class of 2024 is at the forefront of workforce evolution,” Byrne said.
“These young women are our future, the architects of a healthier and brighter tomorrow for all people. To address this forthcoming generation of leaders at their commencement is a true privilege,” she added.
Byrne has been recognized as a PM360 ELITE, CenterWatch Top 20 Innovator, PharmaVOICE Woman of Influence, and a Triad Business Journal Power Player two years running. Currently, she serves as board chair for both Javara and Greater Gift. In addition, Byrne serves as board director for Nmible, an advisory chair for the master’s in clinical research management with Wake Forest University, and additional advisory roles with Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine, FCA Health Innovations Fund, and the North Carolina Biotech of the Piedmont Triad. Jennifer graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in scientific nutrition.
For more information about Salem’s commencement ceremony, visit salem.edu/commencement or inquire at salem.commencement@salem.edu.
About Salem College
Salem College provides women a liberal arts education with a distinctive focus on health and leadership ensuring our graduates understand the power, importance, and complexity of health in our society. Salem College prepares students for a range of career paths to lead in making the world a better, healthier, more equitable place. Salem College is the only national liberal arts college exclusively focused on developing the health leaders of tomorrow. For more information, visit salem.edu.
News media contact
Meagan Coughlin, APR
(336) 721.2665
meagan.coughlin@salem.edu