Our website is undergoing maintenance. Some functionality may not work. Please check back soon.
Event Speakers & Guests
Dr. Rose Blackburne, MD, MBA
Dr. Rose Blackburne is a recognized global thought leader in health equity, women's health, and clinical trial diversity. She is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN), and a prominent executive in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with 25 years of experience in healthcare, including 12 years as a practicing OB/GYN and over 15 years in clinical research.
Education: Earned her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine, completed residency at Columbia University/Harlem Hospital Center, and holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business Administration.
Executive Leadership: She serves as the Vice President, Head of Women's Health and Population Science Strategy, Thermo Fisher Scientific, where she provides strategic oversight for clinical research and drug development.
Industry Recognition: Recognized with the 2025/2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Lifetime Achievement Award for her leadership in Global Business Resource Groups.
Sharnece Thomas, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor, Sharnece Thomas, specializes in perinatal mental health and corporate consulting. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University, with additional training in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Sharnece brings a unique blend of therapeutic expertise and corporate insight to her work, helping organizations develop strategies that support women navigating perinatal mental health challenges in the workplace. Her counseling approach is grounded in the belief that every individual has the inner strength to work through life’s difficulties. She partners with clients to help them access those strengths, build new skills, and cultivate a more positive outlook on life.
Her integrative style draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and person-centered approaches, allowing her to tailor sessions to each client’s unique needs. She has extensive experience working with a wide range of mental health conditions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorders, Depression, and Anxiety. She also supports clients in managing grief and loss, self-esteem, financial stress, and workplace-related issues.