Rachel Clemens
Fort Collins,CO
Summary
Inspirational leader designing and delivering innovative, multimillion-dollar, complex government programs that support business strategies, improve individual and organizational performance, and drive growth. Analytical professional with technical knowledge and critical thinking skills to thrive in data-driven environments. Tackles challenges with positivity and drive to overcome. Works great alone or with others and consistently exceeds expectations.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Business Development
Celogics
02.2025 - Current
- Support business development efforts by coordinating marketing activities and client outreach. Assisted in implementing strategies and best practices. Managed data and records to enhance operational efficiency.
- Built robust pipeline and sales capabilities by embedding data-driven best practices, fueling sustainable growth, and measurable results.
- Advised the CEO on industry-leading sales and marketing strategies, providing actionable recommendations to strengthen the company’s standing in the biopharma sector.
- Developed compelling, data-driven scientific collateral that effectively highlighted organizational strengths, and attracted new business opportunities.
- Attended conferences and trade shows as a representative of the company's brand.
- Enhanced client acquisition pipelines by streamlining processes, and implementing strategic product and brand positioning initiatives.
- Created a comprehensive plan to identify prospective customers and develop relationships with them.
Chief Consultant & Owner
Spirit Lane, LLC
01.2023 - Current
- Recruited to captain the portfolio team tasked with building new business for clients, expanding pipelines, and cultivating partnerships with funders. Transform business structure and seamlessly direct the full lifecycle of complex technical projects, designing clear roadmaps for flawless execution. Introduce best-practice programs and high-impact operating procedures. Leverage leading-edge technologies to deliver data-backed, customer-centric programs.
- Architected a scalable framework for revenue growth and delivered evidence-based programs.
- Lead a team of three.
- Global Scope: North America, and Europe.
- Key Account: Space Commerce Matters, J&J, and Celogics
Portfolio Project Director & Science Advisor
Space Commerce Matters
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Serve as a trusted advisor and vision strategist for space and science companies and programs, engaging with stakeholders, executives, and funders to drive growth and elevate market position.
- Capitalized on deep industry knowledge to optimize the sales process and pitch, while tapping widespread connections to enhance funding, pipeline, and growth potential. Optimized program budgets while delivering top-tier results.
- Expanded pipeline and sales capabilities for space-sector clients via data-driven best practices.
- Led program overhauls and restructures, guided by creative innovation, to deliver a sustainable future.
- Increased client pipelines by 25% via efficiency improvements, and strategic product and brand positioning.
- Trusted advisor to the SVP and C-suite: advised leadership on the potential impact of proposed policies, and recommended proactive strategies to further the company’s global interests.
- Led a team of 3 or more staff.
- Key Accounts: Ice Cubes, Airbus.
Business Development Manager
Axiom Space
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Spearheaded the entire lifecycle of sponsored programs, from inception through planning to execution, and ROI evaluation. Interacted cross-functionally to collect data on customer experience, identify actionable intel, and present findings to the CEO. Trained and mentored teams in agile thinking, sales strategy, and customer engagement.
- Unified internal and external stakeholders around a shared vision to deliver impactful programs and expand the customer base.
- Delivered a comprehensive customer journey map for a cutting-edge technology company: shortened the sales cycle, offered data-driven product development and implementation recommendations, and strengthened the brand.
- Identified policy priorities, championing the right strategy, and action plan for scalable company growth.
- Advised the COO on changes to slash program resources by 10%, while improving overall service implementation.
- Lead a team of 2 and supported a team of 20 staff.
- Program Budgets: $10M.
- Key Accounts: New Zealand Space Agency, Boryung.
- Expertise: drug assay development, human health, medical devices, and data monetization.
Business Development Manager
ISS National Lab
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Cultivated community and professional interest around low-Earth orbit research and industrial applications by presenting at industry conferences, scouting for, and contacting ideal prospects, and employing digital media to our advantage.
- Identified potential clients, built relationships, and negotiated contracts.
- Pioneered a culture shift by encouraging multidisciplinary teams to find creative, cost-effective solutions to organizational challenges.
- Established a scalable framework for revenue growth that positioned ISS National Lab for a secure and sustainable future.
- Captured $5M in revenue by creating and pursuing leads, negotiating contracts, and realizing superb customer service.
- Initiated the Open Innovation Program to manage, evaluate, and provide feedback on proposed projects, obtaining immediate 50% staff participation, investigating 10 new ideas, and reinvigorating stagnant employees.
- Expanded the organization’s involvement through close interaction with government agencies, industry leaders, and community partners, cultivating long-standing relationships with change-makers.
- Cultivated strategic relationships with key external influencers to achieve ISS’s research and funding goals, and to promote clients’ business needs.
- Delivered 10+ industry conference talks and led 20+ brainstorming sessions at companies and government agencies.
- Supported team of 10 staff.
- Program Budgets: $5 million.
- Key Accounts: BMS, J&J, Boeing.
- Expertise: bioprinting, 3D cell culture, and drug assay development.
Scientist
NASA Ames Research Center (Bionetics)
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Organized cross-functional teams to research and report on the molecular mechanism inciting space-related health challenges. Kept stakeholders apprised of project statuses, and collaborated across business units to align initiatives.
- Designed and led future-focused, scientific healthcare research projects.
- Prepared reports summarizing research results for presentation to colleagues and management.
- Monitored laboratory equipment performance, performed repairs, calibrations, and preventative maintenance as necessary.
- Produced repeatable processes and highly accurate results that impacted future project selection.
- Mentored new team members in best practices, documentation, and objectives.
- Led a team of 2 or more staff members and 2 or more interns.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Cell & Molecular Biology
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, OR08-2013
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Biology
University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME05-2006
Skills
- Program design and development
- relationship management
- P&L for over $1 million
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Team leadership and development
- Budget planning and administration
- Alliance building and community partnerships
- Community Affairs & Outreach
- Strategy and planning
- Nonprofit leadership
- Contracts and negotiations
- Public speaking
- Group facilitation/teaching
- Hiring, staffing plans, and mentorship
- Pipeline growth and sales strategy
- Business development
- Data analysis
- Market analysis
- Project management
- Process improvement
EXECUTIVE CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- $10M Program Budget
- 10+ Workshops designed or led
- 20+ Concurrent Projects
- 40+ Conference presentations
- 50+ Cross-Industry Partnerships
- Global Scope: APAC, Europe, Asia, North America
- Attained $10M+ Critical Funding
- Company Size: $1B
Languages
Spanish
Limited
References
References available upon request.
Accomplishments
Cultivated member engagement and partnerships that fueled pipeline and company growth.
Delivered impactful presentations at numerous industry conferences, inspiring professional involvement in key initiatives.
Contributed to technology advancements through mentoring, publications, panels, and presentations to professional organizations.
Increased employee engagement through forward-thinking projects including Open Innovation Program at the ISS and customer journey mapping for Axiom Space.
Timeline
Vice President of Business Development
Celogics
02.2025 - Current
Chief Consultant & Owner
Spirit Lane, LLC
01.2023 - Current
Portfolio Project Director & Science Advisor
Space Commerce Matters
01.2023 - 01.2024
Business Development Manager
Axiom Space
01.2021 - 01.2023
Business Development Manager
ISS National Lab
01.2017 - 01.2021
Scientist
NASA Ames Research Center (Bionetics)
01.2013 - 01.2016
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Cell & Molecular Biology
Oregon Health & Science University
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Biology
University of Southern Maine
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