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Karen Hackstaff

@karenhackstaff

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I lead oncology and medical technology portfolio strategy, launches, and commercial enablement.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I'm looking to lead portfolio and commercial marketing for medical technology, oncology, pharma, or life sciences organizations where I can translate clinical and market insight into launches, positioning, demand generation, and commercial enablement.

I lead marketing and portfolio strategy for medical technology and life sciences companies, most recently as President and Fractional Chief Marketing Officer at BR LLC. I stood up Cordis' global marketing function following its carve-out from Cardinal Health and delivered three US and EU product launches totaling $25M.

At ViewRay, I built the disease-state market analysis and competitive-intelligence framework that shaped oncology investment across breast, prostate, pancreatic, lung, and liver cancers. I also developed a tumor-board enablement kit for radiation oncologists, directed a $6M omnichannel campaign generating 1M+ unique impressions, and scaled a global Center of Excellence program that reduced estimated partner time-to-first-patient by 30%.

I've led global launches, relaunches, crisis communications, and commercial teams across Terumo BCT, Spectranetics, Covidien, and consulting clients including RapidAI, FUJIFILM Sonosite, Elekta, Edwards Lifesciences, and Terumo Aortic. My work connects clinical differentiation, market insight, and customer needs to practical positioning, demand generation, and sales enablement.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

President | Fractional Chief Marketing Officer

Current

BR LLC

Apr 2021 - Present (5 years 5 months)

Fractional marketing leadership for medical device, pharma, and life sciences companies. Stood up global marketing for Cordis, built GTM for RapidAI, and developed launches for FUJIFILM Sonosite, Elekta, Edwards Lifesciences, and Terumo Aortic.

Marketing Strategy Product Launch Go To Market Competitive Messaging Brand Strategy Leadership

Vice President, Brand & Strategy

ViewRay, Inc.

Nov 2018 - Jul 2021 (2 years 8 months)

Built market analysis and competitive intelligence for oncology disease states, developed tumor-board enablement kit, directed $6M omnichannel campaign, scaled Center of Excellence program, and pivoted to digital during COVID.

Market Analysis Competitive Intelligence Oncology Marketing Strategy Multichannel Campaign Management Digital Marketing Leadership

Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications

Terumo BCT

Aug 2015 - Nov 2018 (3 years 3 months)

Led global relaunch of Quantum cell expansion system, directed global launch of Trima platform across 30 countries, expanded Mirasol platform, authored global crisis communications SOP, and led 20-person marketing team.

Product Launch Global Marketing Crisis Communications Cellular Therapy Marketing Leadership Budget Management

Director, Global Product Marketing, Strategic Alliances & Current Platforms

Covidien

Jun 2008 - Jun 2011 (3 years)

Owned global channel marketing and OEM partner programs, delivered double-digit revenue growth for temperature product line, managed team of 6 product managers, and executed commercial due diligence for two acquisitions.

Product Marketing Channel Marketing OEM Partnerships VOC Research Product Management M&A

Marketing Strategist & Account Director

Leopard Communications / Ogilvy

Jan 1998 - Dec 2004 (6 years 11 months)

Led account management and business development, built healthcare-focused practice, pioneered IBM's first ABM program, and built Covidien's first sales enablement portal.

Account Management Business Development Account Based Marketing Sales Enablement Go To Market Strategy