Higgins Group Inc.

Donna is a biopharmaceutical industry veteran and is well versed in the unique challenges that recruiting and retaining high impact individuals pose for executive search professionals. Her roles included management positions on the sales and marketing side of the business at Abbott Diagnostics and Immunex Corporation. Following this, Donna was a founder of a successful technology start-up, playing key roles in attracting investment and developing partnerships.

After seeing the company through its’ early stages, Donna joined a top 20 search firm, as Vice President in charge of the biotech and pharmaceutical sector. She quickly developed a strong reputation for consistently exceeding client expectations and substantially grew the practice. In 1998, she started The Higgins-Group, Inc.

Donna’s interest in transformation extends to her work with several charities including AchieveAbility, Heifer International, and Smile Train – all of which take direct action to intervene and transform lives in practical and meaningful ways. Donna has a BA from Pennsylvania State University, an MBA from Drexel University.

In 1998, Carol was recruited to bring her expertise to The Higgins-Group where she specializes in identifying dynamic leaders with an obvious passion for “the science”. Carol loves to spot the “rising academic stars” and enjoys the challenge of recruiting and retaining them to the pharmaceutical industry.

With a natural attention to detail, Carol assists at risk high school seniors in navigating the often overwhelming college admissions and financial assistance process. Carol is a cum laude graduate from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Keith’s work in life sciences covers the entire sector; including medical devices, diagnostics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and service based companies. Keith has worked with a diverse client base including Fortune 500 companies, small and mid-size public and private companies, as well as, venture capital backed start-ups conducting search assignments for CEOs and other senior roles. With 18 years of sales, marketing, and general management experience with Owens Corning, as well as, leading two start-ups from concept to commercialization, Keith combines unique business perspective and insight with seasoned assessment skills to identify and recruit candidates that truly make a difference for his clients and their businesses.

Prior to joining The Higgins-Group, Keith was a managing director and practice leader for a global retained search firm and previously was a senior vice president for a global life sciences boutique firm where he established their Boston office, achieving strong revenue growth and profitability within the first year and leading their efforts nationally in life sciences. Keith began his career in executive search in 1998 and was recruited to Heidrick & Struggles as a Partner where he conducted searches for emerging companies working closely with numerous venture capital firms in recruiting CEOs and other senior leadership roles for their portfolio companies.

Keith has a BS in engineering from Union College and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in technology from North Carolina State University. Keith is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania SPCA, Board of Trustees for Outward Bound Philadelphia, and is the Vice Chair of the Leadership Council for the Wistar Institute, a NCI-designated Cancer Center.

Laura brings a passion for science and 10 years of executive search experience. She enjoys partnering with Life Science companies that are focused on improving the quality of life through innovation.

Prior to joining The Higgins-Group, Laura started her search career with a top 5 search firm, later managing her own search firm focused on science leaders. She has conducted officer level and senior manager searches in Semiconductor/photonics, Life Sciences, and Industrial Manufacturing. Laura is well versed in the challenges that companies from nimble start ups to Global Fortune 500 organizations face to recruit high impact individuals. Her business experience allows her to distinguish strategic leaders from strong executors.

Laura started her career with the Dow Chemical Company in their Leadership Development program gaining experience in Manufacturing, Technical Sales and Strategic Marketing. She later managed a Global Sales team for a subsidiary of Dover Corp. Laura holds a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University.

Kris Steen serves as Vice President at The Higgins-Group where she is responsible for business development, client management, and search execution for clients in the life sciences industry.

Prior to joining The Higgins-Group, Kris was the Vice President of Operations for a global life sciences boutique search firm where she was responsible for the hiring and training of the recruiting & research staff in North and South America, as well as overseeing the firm’s recruiting and research execution. In addition, Kris also executed and managed searches for executive level roles within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. Kris also spent two years in Boston where she was instrumental in building the firm’s presence in the New England market.

Previously Kris worked in New York as a Principal with Sextant Search Partners’ Healthcare and Private Equity Practices, focusing on placing senior operating executives for her private equity client’s portfolio companies within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. Earlier in her career, Kris was an Associate with Heidrick & Struggles and a member of the firm’s International Technology Practice, focusing on serving clients in the high-tech industries. Previously at Howard Fischer Associates, Kris was an Associate and head of research, building and managing the research department nationally for the firm and recruiting at the executive level for venture capital-backed, emerging companies in the high-tech market place and corporate clients in the industrial sector.

Kris earned her Bachelor’s in Marketing from Philadelphia University. She is an active member of the Healthcare Business Women’s Association (HBA) and an active volunteer with the non-profit organization, Back on My Feet.

Kate began her consulting career in Boston with Sapient Corporation and iCapital Wealth Management. Joining The Higgins-Group in 2003, Kate’s creativity and resourcefulness have been instrumental in consistently delivering outstanding results for our clients. Kate thrives on being the catalyst that connects the world’s top R&D talent with exceptional leadership opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. Kate holds a BA from Boston University.

Karen has been The Higgins-Group lead researcher since joining the firm in 2000. Karen brings ten years of research experience from Johns Hopkins and the Baltimore VA to her Higgins-Group role. Her broad industry background in healthcare is extremely valuable to her biotechnology and pharmaceutical executive recruitment work, providing industry and skill insight as well as contacts. Karen holds a BS degree from Pennsylvania State University and a MA from the University of Maryland.

Lily joined The Higgins-Group from Merck and Company where she was a recognized leader in Sales and Management. Her experience at Merck provides a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry. Lily has an intense curiosity and love of science and a passion for bridging the gap between the unique needs of the clients and the aspirations and expertise of the candidates. Her ability to listen deeply and engage individuals in exploration of their career goals provides the Higgins-Group clients an exceptional base of top-notch candidates. Lily holds a BA degree from Emory University.

Jaimi is an Executive Search Consultant with The Higgins-Group where she is responsible for identifying top talent for clients in the life sciences sector. Jaimi joined the recruiting industry in 2004, bringing 20 years of experience in search, sales and training where she was consistently recognized as a top producer. Jaimi’s diverse background continues to be instrumental in her success. She has passion for her work and thrives on being a part of an individual’s career growth. Jaimi earned BS Degrees from Towson University and West Chester University.

Wendi joined The Higgins-Group in June 2004. Prior to this, Wendi held a variety of sales, marketing and administrative positions in the insurance industry. Whether coordinating meetings, fielding questions, or helping candidates in other ways, Wendi’s meticulous style and attention to detail is an invaluable asset to keeping everything on track at the Higgins-Group. Wendi acts as a second and often central contact for all placement candidates. Wendi holds a BS in Business Logistics from Pennsylvania State University.