It was the photos that caught her eye. Vibrant images of patients, both adults and children, lining the walls of the interview room. For Kari Delahunty, those faces represented more than statistics, they were stories of lives changed through clinical trials.
“During my very first interview in the clinical research field, I noticed those photos,” she recalls. Now, two decades later and just weeks into her role as CEO of AMR Clinical, the memory still stands out. “They motivated me. I felt the same call to action that draws so many people into this work.”
An unexpected path into clinical research
At that moment, Kari found herself pulled into a field she never expected to enter. “I didn’t even know what a CRO was,” she adds with a smile, acknowledging how often careers in clinical research begin by accident. What started as an unexpected opportunity quickly grew into a lasting commitment to solving the real-world challenges of clinical trials.
A foundation built on strategy and operations
Before her recent appointment as CEO, Kari served as AMR Clinical’s Chief Operating Officer, where she sharpened her operational and strategic leadership skills. Her path also included leading roles at Shearwater Health and Syneos Health, where she ultimately served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy. Each chapter deepened her understanding of the industry and the pressures facing sites, sponsors, and patients alike.
Today, Kari is energized by the chance to solve what she calls “hard, knotty problems” in the delivery of clinical trials. “This is a mission-driven field, and it’s an honor to be involved in work that truly matters to patients and their families,” she shares, her enthusiasm clear.
Strengthening the voice of multi-site organizations
As CEO of AMR Clinical, a founding member of AMRC, Kari sees real potential in bringing diverse voices together to strengthen clinical trials. “AMRC is built around a shared purpose, improving clinical research for the benefit of patients,” she explains. In an environment that is growing more complex and costly, she believes multi-site organizations play an important role. “In most trials, the multi-site approach offers clear advantages,” she notes. “It allows for greater consistency and efficiency while maintaining the high standards these sites are known for.”
By uniting leading multi-site organizations, AMRC aims to foster stronger partnerships between sponsors and sites while addressing long-standing industry challenges. “AMRC is giving the site community a stronger, more unified voice,” Kari says, reflecting her belief in collaboration as a driver of progress.
Leading with purpose
Kari Delahunty’s journey reflects what makes clinical research powerful: shared purpose, unexpected paths, and people who lead with intention. As she guides AMR Clinical forward, the focus remains clear, advancing trials that put patients first.
