Award Winner (PDA Chapter of the Year Award) 2024: Casey Bailey Poirier

The honor of “Chapter of the Year” is something I will remember for the rest of my career. I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve as president-elect for the past two years, collaborating with an amazing leadership team to plan and execute impactful local events. It is rewarding to know that the additional time and energy that we all put into making PDA a success is making a difference, and we are contributing to the growth of our professional community. 

This award bolsters my passion for industry engagement. As I transition into the role of chapter president, I am more excited than ever before to see how we can continue to make our meetings more valuable with innovative content, drive increased membership, expand our networking, and attract the next wave of leaders. As an Account Manager for STERIS, I get the opportunity to travel the region and visit many pharma/biotech manufacturing sites. I will undoubtedly take every opportunity to promote our recent success and encourage everyone I meet to check it out and see how they can get involved.

Industry recognition is important because it validates the hard work and passion of our chapter leadership. It brings attention to our mission to advance pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing science and regulation. Working with various clients in the industry, I understand the critical need for continuous improvement of manufacturing processes that ultimately impact patient health and safety.

In the near term, I am focused on expanding my leadership capabilities and broadening my impact within the industry. I aim to take on greater responsibilities that allow me to foster collaboration, strengthen relationships, and contribute to the success of both my employer’s organization as well as for PDA and our members. I am particularly interested in opportunities that enable me to influence a larger reach and mentor others while continuing to deliver value in the life sciences space.

I am deeply inspired by the impact of science and medicine on people’s lives, both professionally and personally. Having a husband with an immune-compromised lung disease, two young children, and aging parents have given me a unique perspective on the critical importance of quality and innovation in life sciences. I take my role seriously, knowing that even a small lapse in quality or contamination can have devastating consequences for patients. It’s incredible to see how far our industry has come, and I’m even more excited about the advancements that lie ahead and the potential to make a lasting difference.