When a Trial Saves Your Family

Beyond The Protocol

Why Inclusion Must Be Intentional

Clinical trials aren’t just about data, they’re about people.
For Denise N. Bronner, Ph.D., that truth became deeply personal when her father achieved remission thanks to a therapy approved through a clinical trial.
In this episode, Melody Keel sits down with Denise, founder of Empactful Ventures, LLC and a leader at the intersection of science, equity, and strategy, to explore why inclusion must be built into the core of clinical research, not added on as an afterthought.
What you’ll learn:
👉Why equitable trial design is essential, not optional, for real-world outcomes
👉How Denise operationalized DEI through data, dashboards, and site strategy
👉The emotional and systemic stakes of exclusion in research
👉How post-approval patient stories can uncover overlooked gaps in trial design
Whether you’re running a single trial or shaping global research, this episode shines a light on why equity isn’t optional, it’s essential for impact that truly lasts.
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#ClinicalTrials #DiversityInResearch #ClinicalOperations #InclusionMatters

#BeyondTheProtocol

Welcome to Beyond the Protocol—where authentic conversations about clinical research happen.

Hosted by Melody Keel, bringing together diverse professionals from across the industry to share insights and experiences about what it really takes to deliver successful clinical trials.

This isn't about perfect processes—it's about real people sharing real solutions.

Let's go beyond the protocol.

That's all for today's episode of Beyond the Protocol—where we explore what it truly takes to deliver successful clinical trials.

If you found value in today's conversation, please subscribe, share with your network, and leave a review.

Have experiences or insights to share? Reach out and be part of the conversation.

Join us next week as we continue to discover what lies beyond the protocol.

You can catch it on :
📺 LinkedIn Live

📺 YouTube ▶️https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheProtocol

🎧 Spotify ▶️https://open.spotify.com/show/5tJlyePbEkmXLEPzSPtBcK?si=d209a257a8224056

🎧 Apple Podcasts ▶️https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-protocol/id1798238612

🎧 Deezer ▶️https://dzr.page.link/Wy8E6rSXR7NpR15W7

🎧 Podcast address ▶️https://beyondtheprotocol.buzzsprout.com/
This Podcast is Sponsored by The Research Associate Group, Inc.

פרקים

1. Welcome & Introduction (00:00:00)

2. From Detroit to a PhD Dream (00:02:26)

3. Breaking into Business & Pharma (00:04:13)

4. Driving DEI in Clinical Trials (00:06:10)

5. A Personal Story: Denise’s Father’s Journey (00:08:44)

6. Why Representation in Research Matters (00:14:19)

7. The Hidden Costs of Poor Trial Design (00:16:58)

8. Community Engagement & Trust (00:22:59)

9. Metrics, KPIs & The DEI Fatigue Debate (00:26:04)

10. Inclusion as a Business Advantage (00:28:55)

11. Message to Leadership: Invest & Listen (00:30:34)

12. Closing Thoughts: Patients First (00:33:02)