Joan Butler , MS, EdD

Program Director

Education

Dr. Butler is the Program Director for the GW Clinical Research Administration program and holds a faculty position as Assistant Professor.  Previously, Dr. Butler served as an executive within the pharmaceutical industry, and has held various positions of increasing responsibility in her 30 year tenure. Her varied professional experiences include: Corporate Management and Operations responsibilities and being Corporate Secretary; responsible for the Quality Management & Training functions; head of Clinical Operations responsibilities including oversight of four groups-regional CRA network, outsourcing, clinical trial supplies; and was Head of the Professional Project Management (PM) groups at three major, global pharma companies where she succeeded in leading and managing many products (drug, device and biologic) to successful marketing approvals within US and Europe; she created the PM function at two (EU/ Japan) of the three pharmaceutical companies and was chosen as the industry PM representative loaned to FDA to aid the implementation of the ‘team based managed review process’ within the Centers for Drugs and Biologics for PDUFA implementation.  

Earlier in her career Dr. Butler held Regulatory Affairs positions and started her career as a CRA in Clinical Research. Dr. Butler has been an active contributor in PM activities within Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA) and Drug Information Association (DIA), facilitating various workshops and program sessions for both organizations.  Dr. Butler’s research interests are focused on leadership and organizational identification.

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