Meet Our People

Sharon Gordon, Director, Contract Management Services

“After earning my Bachelors in Biology, I began my career in academic research. Twelve years later, I moved to the other side, to a CRO. I worked in investigator contracts and payments for 9 years before joining the CFS family. I took my experience from the site side and combined that with my experience from working with sponsors and sites on contracts, budgets and payments as part of a larger team and brought that to a smaller, focused company. Nearly 3 years later I still find it refreshing to be part of the ‘feature presentation’ rather than a cog in a non-core service. My contributions are visible, are appreciated and matter. To know that what I do on any given day makes a difference brings with it satisfaction. I also continue to be impressed with the research and development that goes into our core services. We emphasize the use of technology. On the Contracts side of our business, we have a system in place to track and approve workflow, serve as a communication hub, and provide a repository and database search-ability functionality. However, we don’t rest on our laurels and are building out an even better system.

Lastly, the opportunity is there for those who wish to see many aspects of the business and contribute as we grow. Opportunities exist to flex different muscles. As we expand geographically and expand our service offerings, opportunities follow.”

Jeremy, Senior Project Lead, Contract Management Services

“I moved to the Philadelphia area 7 years ago to begin my career in the pharmaceutical industry by taking a job at a large CRO.  I spent 3 years there, gaining invaluable experience before being offered a position at major pharmaceutical company.  I was exposed to the life of big pharma for one year and got to see the pharmaceutical industry from a different perspective.  Then in July of 2007 I was presented with another great opportunity to advance my career: a job offer at a small company -CFS.  I joined CFS in order to build upon my existing pharmaceutical industry knowledge and understanding, while at the same time become an integral part of the success the company has been fortunate enough to experience.  I have watched this company more than triple in size and continue to make a name for itself in the very competitive pharmaceutical industry.

I like the fact that my suggestions and opinions regarding existing processes are listened to and in some cases implemented to increase work efficiencies.  CFS is a progressive company, always looking to utilize the latest technology available to set itself apart from its competitors, and the staff is always very willing to help out their colleagues to ensure goals and timelines are met on projects.”

Kim, Project Support Specialist, Contract Management Services

“I joined CFS in 2008, having come from a scientific background.  I had never worked for a small company prior, and I have not been disappointed.  Here my contributions truly make a difference and I find this to be a very rewarding part of working here.  The size of CFS allows me to interact with colleagues closely and know them on a more personal level.  We depend on each other for our successes; therefore, there is a great support system that is companywide.  This aspect creates a genuine “family feel” within the company.
I feel that CFS allows for many learning experiences as well.  I came in to the company with little knowledge on clinical trials, but due to our size, was provided with training quickly.  I was given opportunities to assist in projects and tasks that, if I were in a larger company, probably would have been delegated differently. 

I enjoy being a part of the CFS family and look forward to a bright future here.”

Patrice, Director, Site Activation Services

“I joined CFS to direct its new Site Activation Services business unit.  Although CFS is one of many service providers to the pharma/biotech industry, it is unique in providing contracting and payment services specifically for clinical research trial investigators.  Leading the newly formed Site Activation Services department gives me the opportunity to use my 20+ years of clinical operations experience to augment CFS’ core financial expertise and to offer full scale study initiation services to its clients.
Although I have been with CFS a short time, I’ve learned that CFS has a wide range of experience with most of the major pharmaceutical, biotech and CRO companies.  CFS is very flexible in its ability to accommodate electronic and manual transactions, work with a variety of electronic data capture systems, portals, and tracking tools, and keeps well ahead of new regulations. There is also a strong in-house motivation to use innovative technology to facilitate best business practices.

After successfully working for many years for one the top 4 global pharmaceutical companies, I found that CFS is a welcome change back to a smaller company environment. There is a friendly ‘neighborhood’ feel here where all levels of the company regularly communicate, are mutually supportive, decision-making is simpler, and each person can see how he or she contributes directly to the growth and success of the company. “

Ann Marie, Group Lead, Site Activation Services

”I began my career with Clinical Financial Services in October 2009.  I started in a temporary role doing support service work and was hired as a full-time employee eight months later.  I am now a Team Leader and love how the company focuses on promoting successfully from within.  My career goal was to find a company that gave me the opportunity to work with people who worked hard to achieve objectives and enabled me to grow professionally.  At CFS I found exactly what I was looking for: down-to-earth people that are very focused on being one team. 

Every day I have the opportunity to work with experienced and talented people in an environment that emphasizes teamwork and collaboration.  This job also allows me to work with so many diverse people around the world.  I really enjoy coming to work each day and having the ability to think outside of the box.  The commitment Clinical Financial Services has to its employees to provide a work/life balance is amazing!  I can say without a doubt, there is no other company I would rather work for. I really enjoy the people I work with and I admire the dedication every employee has to get the job done each and every day. “

Kristy, Operations Manager, Global Payment Services

“Upon hearing about CFS’s business plan and vision to expand the services offered, I was immediately interested in becoming a part of something so remarkable. When I started with CFS, we only offered Financing and Receivable Management services to investigative sites.  The company decided to expand and offer Contract and Payment Management services to pharmaceutical sponsors, biotechnology companies and CROs. I saw great opportunity in helping with the development of these services. Despite the fact that CFS was a small company in 2006, I knew that it would be very successful, offer great career growth opportunities and that working in such an environment would be very challenging and rewarding. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that your hard work and dedication really makes a difference in a company. Our people exemplify the highest level of talent in their respective fields which creates a very inspiring and motivating work environment.”

Holly Leslie, Client Lead, Global Payment Services

“Having spent my career split between a smaller systems integration firm and global pharmaceutical company, CFS allowed me to marry what I loved most from each – Accounting, Project Management, and technology-based processes.  CFS being an entrepreneurial endeavor has the look and feel of a small company; yet is the market leader in its industry, playing an integral role in the success of crucial, lifesaving research.  Knowing I would have even a small hand in that really made the decision an easy one for me.

The culture at CFS is truly a family atmosphere.  We are an eclectic group of professionals who work hard and enjoy the challenges of our work.  CFS recognizes that its success lies within in its employees and as such, they are treated as valued assets.  We are encouraged to be creative, client-focused and we continually strive to improve processes.  In return, the company doesn’t hesitate to show its appreciation by rewarding its employees regularly.”

Melisa, Staff Analyst, Finance & Accounting

“I met the President of CFS about 10 years ago when the company was just starting out and when the opportunity to join came along, I jumped at the chance.  CFS was a small company and I looked forward to growing along with it. What I enjoy most about working here is the many opportunities that have enabled me to grow professionally.  Since I started working here, the company has doubled its workforce and expanded its services. It is very exciting watching the company grow and being a part of it.

CFS has assembled a great team of highly skilled professional people who are committed to our customers and the company. CFS provides a professional, respectful and enjoyable work environment. There is a great team atmosphere here.  I feel like my efforts are valued, and I look forward to many challenges in the future.”

John O’Neill, Senior Systems Administrator, Information Systems & Technology

“I joined CFS because of the dynamic technical environment and the Company’s emphasis on technology as a driver for business development.  I like our willingness to adopt and embrace new concepts, approaches and processes that improve existing efficiency.

CFS is a growing company with a stable and experienced management team.  I’ve always felt that the employee’s perception of CFS is important to the management team and that they make adjustments based on employee’s feedback in order to improve the work environment.”