Kate Gamble Foster

Director of Data, AI & Governance in Regulated Healthcare | Portfolio & Transformation Lead

United States

About

Senior technology leader with 15+ years of experience driving data, AI and governance strategy in regulated healthcare and pharmaceutical enterprises. Proven ability to design and operationalize enterprise data governance frameworks, AI oversight models, and analytics-driven decision systems that improve clinical, operational, and financial outcomes. Leads large-scale enterprise data and AI portfolios ($300M+), translating strategy into funded investments, governed roadmaps and delivered capabilities across global R&D. Deep expertise in regulated environments spanning clinical development, data platforms and analytics ecosystems. Recognized for building scalable governance and decision frameworks for data, AI and analytics, partnering with executive leadership to prioritize investments and enable digital transformation at scale. Critical Capabilities: Data Strategy & Enterprise Data Governance | AI Governance & Responsible AI Frameworks | Analytics & Decision Intelligence Enablement | Clinical & Regulated Data Ecosystems | Data Quality, Stewardship & Compliance | Enterprise Technology Portfolio Execution | Product / Platform Roadmap Governance | Cross-functional Transformation Leadership | Financial Planning & Investment Prioritization

Experience

  • GSK (9 yrs 11 mos)
    • Director, Development Tech Strategy & PMO / R&D Digital Tech
      Feb 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 6 mos

      For $29.2B pharma company, leading data, AI, and governance strategy execution across development technology portfolios, including financial governance, operating model design, and executive decision support. • Leading enterprise data, AI and delivery governance for the $215M (2026) development portfolio, including $112M in AI investments, ensuring end-to-end prioritization, funding and execution of AI-enabled clinical development capabilities to accelerate trial timelines and improve efficiency through data-driven automation. • Directed the $120M (2025) development data, technology, and AI acceleration portfolio, establishing governance frameworks for demand intake, prioritization, and forecasting, enabling structured investment decisions and enterprise alignment across R&D digital initiatives. • Defined & operationalized investment governance frameworks, enabling quantification of value (risk, ROI, productivity) across data, AI & technology initiatives & ensuring alignment of funding with strategic priorities. • Developed and contributed to enterprise AI governance & operating standards, partnering with Technology & R&D to establish AI SOPs ensuring regulatory compliance, responsible AI adoption & scalable deployment.

    • Director, Portfolio Lead, Digital, Data & Analytics (DDA), Global RD Development
      Apr 2022 - Jan 2023 · 10 mos

      Led DDA portfolio governance & execution strategy for a $301M portfolio, driving data-enabled, digital transformation. • Defined and implemented portfolio governance and operating model for the $301M development portfolio, securing $86M in funding for data and AI-enabled acceleration initiatives aligned to enterprise R&D priorities. • Developed business cases and financial models leveraging advanced analytics and AI/ML-driven insights to optimize clinical recruitment, site selection and asset progression across global development programs. • Monitored portfolio performance using data-driven governance dashboards and analytics, ensuring delivery alignment across scope, schedule, budget and strategic R&D objectives. • Partnered with cross-functional stakeholders to evaluate data quality, transparency, and adoption, identifying opportunities to improve decision intelligence across clinical development operations.

    • Director / Agile Lead, Digital Data & Analytics (DDA), Global R&D Development
      Feb 2021 - Apr 2022 · 1 yr 3 mos

      Led Agile transformation enabling delivery of ~100 scalable data and analytics capabilities supporting upper quartile performance across R&D development. • Secured $6M annual investment to build enterprise capabilities in Agile, data-driven delivery, and digital product operating models, enabling scalable execution of data and analytics initiatives across R&D functions. • Embedded Agile/SAFe practices to enable faster delivery of data, analytics, and digital capabilities, improving cross-functional decision-making across ClinOps, Biostats, Regulatory, Safety, and Medical functions. • Defined maturity models and performance frameworks enabling data-informed delivery governance, improving transparency, predictability, and value realization across R&D transformation programs.

  • Manager, Advisory / Healthcare & Life Sciences at KPMG
    Sep 2014 - Sep 2016 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    For a $24.8B consulting firm, led enterprise separation and governance programs, focusing on technology, data and operational transition strategy. • Led post separation governance and execution across 66 countries, completing 1,000+ transition projects and ensuring continuity of critical systems, data flows and regulatory operations. • Managed $250M PMO overseeing 345+ projects, establishing governance for scope, financial tracking, risk management,and executive reporting across global technology separation programs. • Led enterprise transformation planning for regulatory labeling impacting 11,000+ product labels,. • Secured new work at Baxter on Labeling, IT P/TMO & Global Business Services valued at $7.6M.

  • Senior Consultant (NTT Data) / IT Program Manager (AbbVie) at NTT DATA Corporation
    Aug 2011 - Sep 2014 · 3 yrs 2 mos

    For $19B pharma, Led regulatory and safety systems separation and enterprise IT transformation strategy during the Abbott–AbbVie corporate split. • Led enterprise regulatory, safety, and clinical IT separation program strategy, coordinating 7 workstreams and 15,000+ global users across complex regulated systems and data environments. • Delivered end-to-end program governance including planning, execution oversight, and transition service agreements for a $21.5M separation initiative, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational continuity. • Developed integrated RQS IT strategy and roadmap, defining future-state architecture and transformation priorities for regulatory, safety, and R&D quality systems within a highly regulated enterprise environment.

  • Roles in Software development, Data science, Business Analytics at Earlier Career
    Jul 1991 - Feb 2003 · 11 yrs 8 mos

    Technical and analytical roles spanning venture-backed healthcare technology (CB Technologies - clinical trial software and EDC product commercialization), quantitative marketing research, economic forecasting, engineering software, and government IT, including predictive modeling, econometrics, and decision-support systems for financial services, energy, and federal clients (DARPA, EPRI).