Quick Facts
Focus
A scientist by training, a business woman by desire, a techy by birth, and an advocate for orphans and those with limited access to health care by passion.
Innovation-focused executive-level leader with strong scientific and business training with over a decade of hands-on experience. Passionate about transforming healthcare to create a seamless, outcomes-driven, exceptional patient experience.
In July 2017, I joined the World Wide Technology team in the Consulting Practice focused on leading complex and transformative consulting engagements. Recently, I served as Executive Director for Innovation & Product Development for Mercy Virtual at Mercy – the Nation’s #2 Large Integrated Healthcare System and as Executive Director for Research at Mercy designing and initiating efforts to unify all research programs across the system.
Entrepreneurial scientist and consultant who thrives on strategic and analytic challenges. Adaptive, bold, confident, committed, and compassionate leader.
Interested in opportunities to work with highly talented people in high-performance organizations to truly make an impact.
"The talent Keela demonstrates that I am most impressed with is her ability to think strategically about not only solving problems, but more so on how to build and reinvent the organization. During my 23 year career, I have come to realize that strategic thinking beyond the superficial level is a rare and valuable talent not possessed by many. I have been exposed to a vast array of management talent. I feel Keela Davis would rank among the very best managers and executives I have encountered. She is determined to meet and exceed the goals and requirements for every project. She is a person of high character and has strong concern and compassion for her employees and all others she encounters on a daily basis."
Jeffrey Gilbert // Sanofi
Outstanding Young Alumna of the Year
Missouri State University | 2014
Education
Engineering Physics
Bachelor's of Science
May 2006
Minors in Mathematics and Chemistry
Presidential Scholar, Honor’s College, Ambassador, SOAR Leader, Alpha Delta Pi
Research Project: Characterization and Optimization of Aerosol Technology Air Collection System
Biology and Chemistry
Master's of Natural and Applied Science
December 2006
Graduate Thesis: Development of a Novel Aerosol Collection and Biosensor Detection System for Microbial Organisms
Engineering Management
Master's of Science
May 2015
Research: Strategy and decision models in medical device R&D and product commercialization
Experienced Leader
Professional Experience
Principal
Consulting Services // World Wide Technology
July 2017 - Present
WWT's Management Consulting group focusing on complex and transformational strategy and execution engagements.
World Wide Technology (WWT) is an award-winning systems integrator and supply chain solutions provider that brings an innovative and proven approach to how organizations evaluate, architect and implement technology.
Founded in 1990, WWT has grown from a small product reseller into a global systems integrator services organization with more than $14 billion in annual revenue and more than 6,000 employees throughout the world.
WWT serves the technology needs of large public and private organizations around the globe and ranks 45th on Forbes Largest Private Companies list.
WWT attributes its ongoing success to strict adherence to core values, a clear vision and mission, and a customer-focused team of professionals.
As evidence of our strong corporate philosophy, WWT is ranked #40 on FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and ranked by Glassdoor as the #5 Best Place to Work and #2 Highest Rated CEO.
Executive Director
Innovation & Product Development // Mercy
October 2016 - June 2017
Served as strategic advisor for innovation at Mercy’s Virtual, IT and Supply Chain business units in a newly formed role to establish a focused, business-driven approach to innovation investing
Lead executive for innovation and product development for nation’s leader in virtual medicine, Mercy Virtual
Worked to redefine virtual care and transform product offerings to create a highly personalized, outcomes-driven, seamless, patient-centric care experience outside the traditional walls of healthcare
Established a framework for ideation, vetting, and development of new product solutions
Created an innovation and product development program from the ground up in concert with teams from across the system
Accountable for key relationships with potential and existing innovation partners for the joint development and deployment of new technologies and service offerings
Executive Director
Mercy Research // Mercy
October 2015 - October 2016
Promoted to Executive leader having responsibility for all research and innovation operations at Mercy including 800+ clinical trials and informatics projects, 200+ invention disclosures, 100 dedicated research staff, 450 research investigators and $10M annual budget spanning the Mercy 7-state, 34-hospital, 300-clinic, and 40,000 staff footprint
Charged with overhauling the business model of research at Mercy
Determined vision and path forward with Mercy’s executive leadership and communicated direction with the organization
Reorganized leadership structure to move from location or department-specific teams to system-wide specialty-based teams
Strong focus on creating personalized medicine research initiative through engaging providers and partnering with national leaders in precision medicine
Established and served on the Mercy Research Board of Directors
Unified disparate research teams from across the system into a single operational company
Worked with physicians, leadership, and finance teams to propose and approve a new model of physician investigator compensation for entire organization
Reviewed new technologies for feasibility at Mercy including assessing investment options and studies to quantify effectiveness
Director
Research // Mercy
February 2009 - October 2015
Received promotion gaining additional responsibility for the Clinical Trials Division in addition to Directorship for Research and Development Division
Charged with overhauling the business model of clinical research at Mercy
Reorganized leadership structure and established systems and procedures to minimize expenses, maximize productivity, and capture full value of clinical trial contracts
Worked with physician investigators to educate on financial challenges and to develop strong criteria for selecting and participating in clinical trials to ensure performance and adequate reimbursement
Established performance metrics and tracking systems for transparent reporting
Created comprehensive business case and budget negotiation tool which has led to 100%+ increase in final contract value compared to initial offers
Developed strong relationships with physician investigators and medical specialties
Established CRC performance-based bonus program to drive productivity and revenue generation
FY16 average month over month gross revenue increase of 11%
Created Mercy’s-first Investigator-Initiated Trials management program in consultation with IRB and Quality experts
Oversaw all research studies conducted the Mercy Springfield Community
Received promotion to Directorship gaining responsibility for operational and strategic management of the Research and Development Division for Mercy Medical Research Institute, Inc. – the product development and technology transfer office for Mercy
Full P&L responsibility for division and maintained corporate books
Oversaw the intake of over 200 inventions and the development of 40+ technologies
Facilitated the procurement of 15 patents (issued and still under adjudication)
Wrote and managed awarded external grants totaling more than $5.8M
Served as project manager and project director on 30-40 projects annually using waterfall and Agile methodology
Managed 12 highly specialized research staff in the development of FDA class 1, 2, and 3 medical devices from idea conception to commercialization
Responsible for the commercialization of medical products to existing and startup companies
Sought and managed internal and external investment into new biotech products
Direct liaison with investors and entrepreneurial community
Co-Principle Investigator on $4,816,000 cooperative grant from the Department of Defense to develop 5 technologies for wounded soldiers – all deliverables met on-time and on-budget
Facilitated a relationship with the State of Missouri for building entrepreneurial capacity leading to $550,000 in funding through competitive grant programs
Developed contract research business line working with external companies to assess new healthcare technologies and provide contract development and consulting services
Primary responsible party for updating the Board of Directors on operations
Work directly with Legal, HR, Finance, MTS, Compliance, and Facilities for all division needs
Served as Mercy representative to the Board of Directors for Ocugenics, LLC – a startup company 50% owned by Mercy
Brokered deal for 6% ownership in Make People Better – a Springfield startup company selling Re:iimmune, a next-generation oral rehydration and pro/prebiotic product
Technical Experience
Research Scientist
Research // Mercy
October 2007 - February 2009
- Hired as first Research Scientist at Mercy to form and build Research & Development
- Served as scientist and project manager on 6-10 products under development simultaneously
- Drafted Department of Defense funding proposal and landed $4.8M cooperative agreement with TATRC
- Responsible for evaluating all inventions, vetting feasibility, and preparing proposals for funding
- Responsible for managing the development of funded technologies and working with outside counsel to obtain patents
Senior Research Scientist
Center for Biomedical and Life Sciences // Missouri State University
May 2008 - February 2009
- Served as senior scientist and laboratory manager in an advanced cell and molecular lab having management of 8-10 projects simultaneously
- Assisted PI in the management of all grants and publications including multiple NIH RO1 grants and 12-15 publications annually
- Manager for all full and part-time scientists and staff and all graduate and undergraduate students
- Studied the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neuron-glia interactions that promote and sustain chronic peripheral and central sensitization
- Researched the signaling pathways by which inflammatory and anti-inflammatory agents control neuropeptide gene expression in disorders involving the trigeminal nerve
- Studied the regulation of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide gene (CGRP) expression in cultured and trigeminal neurons, neuronal-like cell lines, in vivo animal models, and clinical studies
- Worked to elucidate the cellular/molecular mechanisms mediated by anti-migraine drugs and inflammatory stimuli that activate MAP kinase pathways in neurons and glial cells within the trigeminal ganglion and spinal trigeminal nucleus
Junior Research Scientist
Center for Applied Science and Engineering // Missouri State University
May 2006 - August 2007
- Served as scientist and engineer on material science and engineering research projects
- Assisted on Department of Defense projects for the development of defense and bio-defense technologies
- Developed a novel aerosol collection and biosensor detection system for microbial organisms
- Additional projects including: Carbon based electronics, materials research and characterization, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices, and systems fabrication
- Managed website (HTML), designed programs to run instrumentation (MATLAB), analyzed samples using atomic force microscopy, advanced scanning electron microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, and confocal microscopy.
- Developed databases for experimental data analysis and mathematical computing
- Represented JVIC and Missouri State University at community events through giving presentations on current research, economic impact, and projected growth
Media
Volunteer
Adoption and Humanitarian Aid Coordinator // All Blessings International (2011 - 2015)
Democratic Republic of Congo
All Blessings International is a Christian non-profit organization and Hague accredited adoption agency that believes in the innate worth of every individual child and seeks to assist the children of the world by helping build families through adoption and providing humanitarian aid to children in need. It is this organization's firm belief that every child has a right to grow up in a family where he or she is loved, nurtured, protected and appreciated for his or her unique individuality. Allblessings.org
Board Chairperson (2014-2015), Board Member (2015-2017)
I Pour Life // Missouri, Ethiopia, and El Salvador
“A Hand up, not a Hand Out”. I Pour Life is a nonprofit focused on developing people in social isolation. We believe the most effective way to help individuals overcome social isolation is by developing their unique strengths and talents so they can become self-sufficient. One Individual. One Family. One Community at a Time. ipourlife.org
Board Member (2016-2017)
Missouri Biotechnology Association
The Missouri Biotechnology Association (MOBIO) is the state's premier professional business association dedicated to growing and protecting Missouri's bioscience and high tech companies. MOBIO provides focused legislative engagement, valuable connections across the converging industries, a forum for addressing emerging science talent shortages, new pathways as our businesses strive for capital growth and access to funding, and important cost-savings solutions. mobio.org