When Leadership Looks Like Us

Beyond The Protocol

Building Representation Into the Trial

Clinical research can’t scale without inclusive leadership.

In this episode, Melody sits down With Danielle S. Mitchell founder of Black Women in Clinical Research (BWICR).

we go into the operational impact of building leadership that reflects the communities trials serve.

We explore how representation isn’t just a DEI initiative, it’s a business-critical lever for retention, execution, and trust across trial ecosystems.

• Why lack of representation drives burnout, turnover, and underperformance
• How BWICR and Noir Research Collective are shifting the clinical leadership pipeline
• The link between visibility, mentorship, and promotability in trial teams
• Why inclusive infrastructure is essential for long-term retention and quality
• What clinical ops leaders must unlearn to create equitable, high-performing teams

This episode is for everyone who believes that building diverse, inclusive leadership isn’t just the right thing, it’s what makes clinical research work better for all of us.

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 & setup (00:00:00)

2. Danielle’s path into clinical research (00:01:41)

3. Melody’s parallel journey (00:04:34)

4. Why workforce diversity matters (00:05:44)

5. Representation in practice (00:07:23)

6. Family influence & trial participation (00:08:02)

7. Educating patients & trust (00:09:04)

8. Mentorship, networking, and inclusivity (00:10:40)

9. Rethinking conferences: BWICR vision (00:15:18)

10. Future vision: workforce pipeline & outreach (00:19:46)

11. Closure (00:21:28)