Katrina A. Comber
Philadelphia,USA
Summary
Experienced Biotech and life science business professional with focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing needs and drive impactful outcomes. Strong skills in project management, strategic planning, and process optimization. Reliable and effective in coordinating teams and resources to meet organizational goals.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Administrator
Aro Biotherapeutics
01.2024 - Current
- Oversaw day-to-day office operations, including supply management, vendor coordination, facilities liaison, and AV equipment support.
- Managed IT equipment tracking and support ticket oversight in collaboration with external IT partner.
- Supported Legal and HR functions: contract processing, job postings, interview coordination, onboarding/offboarding, payroll support, and policy maintenance.
- Assisted executive leadership with calendar and travel management, meeting coordination, and presentation preparation.
- Coordinated logistics for Board and Advisory Board meetings, internal events, and external stakeholder engagement.
- Supported Venture Capital relations, including meeting scheduling, materials preparation, and communication coordination.
- Contributed to economic success by participating in budgeting process.
- Managed day-to-day development issues.
- Assisted in the development of marketing materials for business promotion, contributing to increased brand awareness and client acquisition.
- Coordinated company-wide events, including conferences, meetings, and workshops, ensuring seamless execution and positive attendee experience.
- Oversaw employee onboarding processes, ensuring seamless integration into the company culture from day one.
- Processed employee expense reports quickly to prevent delays in payouts.
- Increased employee satisfaction rates through development of recognition programs that rewarded hard work.
- Monitored executive and site schedules to coordinate meetings and corporate events.
- Oversaw payroll, compensation, and PTO for 34 employees.
Manager, Strategy and Operations
Chimeron Bio
04.2022 - 01.2024
- Reports to the CEO and provides leadership to staff in managing corporate-related matters and operations for a biotech start-up
- Lead, manage, and monitor day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth and efficient workflow and adherence to established protocols and standards.
- Manage company financials using Quickbooks, including AP/AR, payroll, investments, and grant related financials
- Lead NDAs, contract agreements, research agreements, and collaboration agreements with discretion
- Act as a key member of the transition team during the CEO and CSO leadership changes, contributing to the smooth integration and continuity of operations within the organization.
- Serve as liaison between the CEO and all staff, acting as the central point person for communication and coordination.
- Proactively create, manage, and implement corporate SOPs and policies, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and driving operational excellence throughout the organization.
- Manage multiple HR responsibilities encompassing staff onboarding and offboarding, served as the point of contact for internal issues, managed job postings and coordinating interview schedules, meticulously tracked and managed PTO, and effectively administered employee benefits.
- Assist with external projects and collaborations by being point of contact, taking meeting mins, and keeping projects on track
- Provide direct support to the CEO in managing venture capital finances and overseeing project tracking.
- Manage and coordinate quarterly board meetings and scientific advisory board schedules while providing valuable assistance in preparing slide decks.
- Manage grant proposals and associated financials including pre-award, post-award and post-award reporting.
- Serve as the lead in business purchases, overseeing the procurement process and ensuring accurate monthly reconciliation to the CFO.
- POC for IT, Biolabs, and all vendors. Ensures all operations move smoothly and issues are addressed.
- Organize and coordinate engaging team-building activities with a focus on enhancing company morale and fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
Grant Manager
Perelman School of Medicine - University of Pennsylvania
03.2020 - 04.2022
- Grant manager for Medical Ethics and Health Policy department
- Ensure grant proposals and awards are compliant with foundation and federal compliance including NIH, NSF, and other federal entities.
- Manage a portfolio of over 10 million annually in sponsored research funds.
- Oversee over 100 research sub-award contracts for the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy including contract execution, invoicing, payments, purchase orders, and budget management.
- Created and managed all NDAs, contract amendments, MTAs, research agreements and contract extensions.
Grant and Financial Coordinator
University of Pennsylvania
08.2018 - 03.2020
- Managed financials and grants for over 40 operating departments
- Monitor and manage an operating budget of over 5 million a year.
- Manage sponsored research funds including budgeting, monitoring balances, and reasonableness of expenses in accordance with sponsor guidelines.
- Assist faculty, staff, and development office with the preparation of proposals to external sponsors, develop budgets, review proposals for compliance, and upload grant submissions into grants.gov and ORS.
- Initiate cost transfers, extension requests, and other post-award administration
- Manage and ensure accurate and timely deposits.
- Managed sponsored research funds including budgeting, monitoring balances, and reasonableness of expenses in accordance with sponsor guidelines.
- Create post-award reports, review and certify official financial reports, and represent Penn to sponsors.
- Manage monthly and quarterly financial reporting for over 40 operating departments
- Assist P.I.s in managing projects, making purchases, and travel arrangements.
- Assist faculty, staff, and development office with the preparation of proposals to external sponsors, develop budgets, review proposals for compliance, and upload grant submissions to intogrants.gov and ORS.
Gift and Membership Coordinator
University of Pennsylvania
08.2015 - 03.2018
- Manage database including gift adjustments, record updates, database reconciliation, create of new gift funds.
- Made check deposits, credit card journals, weekly gift reconciliation, and financial reports.
- Managed invoices, purchase orders, refunds, and inventory
- Performed mail merges and preparation for acknowledgments and renewal mailings for Membership and Annual Fund
- Primary liaison with the Museum's Visitor Services staff in overseeing front-line membership sales and services.
- Respond to email and phone inquiries, emails, and onsite sales and provide excellent customer service
- Manage gift entry, customer service, and fulfillment requests for Expedition magazine
- Manage interns and work-study students
- Coordinate membership and development events
Education
MBE - Bioethics
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
Philadelphia, PA01.2021
MPA - Executive
University of Pennsylvania, Fels Institute of Government
Philadelphia, PA01.2019
BA - Professional Communications
Marymount Manhattan College
New York, NY01.2012
Skills
- Finance
- Budget preparation
- Financial reporting
- Federal grants and grant management
- Budget analysis
- Contracts, NDAs, CDAs
- Operations management
- Strategic leadership
- Business process development
- Human Resources, onboarding, compensation
- Change and transition management
- Team development
- Project Management
- Executive support
- Calendar management
- Office management
Timeline
Business Administrator
Aro Biotherapeutics
01.2024 - Current
Manager, Strategy and Operations
Chimeron Bio
04.2022 - 01.2024
Grant Manager
Perelman School of Medicine - University of Pennsylvania
03.2020 - 04.2022
Grant and Financial Coordinator
University of Pennsylvania
08.2018 - 03.2020
Gift and Membership Coordinator
University of Pennsylvania
08.2015 - 03.2018
MBE - Bioethics
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
MPA - Executive
University of Pennsylvania, Fels Institute of Government
BA - Professional Communications
Marymount Manhattan College
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