Life Sciences Trainers & Educators Network Announces New Executive Director

ROANOKE, Va. - Jan. 6, 2015 - PRLog -- The Life Sciences Trainers & Educators Network (LTEN - www.L-TEN.org) today announced that Dawn Brehm, LTEN chief operating officer, has been selected by the Board of Directors to succeed Kevin Kruse as the organization’s next executive director, effective January 1, 2015. This announcement comes after a four-month global search to find a transformative leader who could quickly address the organization’s opportunities and challenges.

Kruse is leaving at the end of January 2015, after four successful years as executive director. Under Kruse’s stewardship, the organization expanded its offerings and value to medical device and diagnostic trainers, grew membership, added new certificate programs, revitalized the annual conference, introduced new networking events and managed the organization's major rebrand from SPBT to LTEN.

“Today, LTEN is a member-focused organization with a strong foundation in place for long-term growth, therefore making this an excellent time for me to pass the torch to a leader who will take our organization to the next phase of growth,” Kruse said. “Dawn is the right leader at the right time to build on our success and ensure a strong community for our members.”

As executive director of LTEN, Brehm will oversee an organization that connects more than 1,400 life sciences trainers and educators to the clarity, community and career resources needed to excel in leadership and learning. Brehm will work closely with the Board of Directors and LTEN staff for the development and execution of the strategic plan to achieve the organization’s mission.

“We are pleased to have an internal leader with Dawn’s proven track record and management capabilities to chart the path for LTEN to further innovate and grow,” said John Sjovall, LTEN board president and executive director, sales training & development, Daiichi Sankyo. “Her wealth of experience and demonstrated leadership will help the organization move forward with its mission to advance the art and science of life sciences training and education.

“We also want to thank Kevin for all that he has helped LTEN achieve,” said Sjovall. “The Kruse era at LTEN will be long remembered for successful expansion into the medical device and diagnostic space and strategic investments in key growth areas. His vision and leadership has positioned us for continued success now and in the future.”

Brehm brings with her more than 28 years of healthcare leadership experience directing nonprofit, marketing, sales, training, services and operations teams in the life sciences arena.  Brehm has served the LTEN since 2013 as chief operating officer, focusing on developing and expanding certificate programs, growing membership, cultivating new member and partner relationships and leading the LTEN Advisory Council.

Before joining LTEN, Brehm served as the marketing manager for Bioventus Global and was the principal of Dawn Brehm & Associates, where she provided training and sales consulting services to pharmaceutical companies. Brehm also enjoyed 23 years with GlaxoSmithKline, serving in a number of leadership roles including vice president of sales training, vice president of sales, director of consumer marketing, director of respiratory marketing and director of business operations.

“I’m honored to be given the opportunity to lead LTEN in this new capacity,” Brehm said. “I am dedicated to this organization because it serves as the conduit to keeping the training industry educated, informed and connected and it’s the only nonprofit organization solely devoted to strengthening training in the healthcare industry, with the ultimate benefit of improving patient care. Building upon the foundation Kevin has established, we will continue to execute our strategy to drive long-term member value.”

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ABOUT LTEN

The Life Sciences Trainers & Educators Network (www.L-TEN.org) is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the professional goals of trainers and educators in the life sciences by providing the clarity, community and career resources needed to excel in leadership and learning. Founded in 1971, LTEN has grown to over 1,400 individual members who work in pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and diagnostic companies.

MEDIA CONTACT
For more information contact Nannette Nolan, LTEN director of marketing communications at nnolan@L-TEN.org.