Robin Edmonds is Preparing to Lead in Bioscience with an MBA

Robin Edmonds considers herself a jack-of-all-trades. From conducting research at large medical institutions to managing lab operations at a startup, she is continuously expanding her skillset. Now, as the operations program manager at biotechnology firm Clarametyx Biosciences, she is ready to combine her scientific expertise with the skills she’s learning in Case Western Reserve University’s online MBA in Healthcare Management program. 

As a mom of two with a husband in the military, Case Western Reserve’s flexible online  program is helping Edmonds prepare to take on the boardroom while still allowing her to enjoy dinner with her family after work—one of her favorite ways to decompress.  

Here, Edmonds discusses why she chose Case Western Reserve, how she has expanded her network through the program and what it takes to maintain work-life balance while striving for an executive-level role. 

What was your professional experience leading up to pursuing the online MBA in Healthcare Management?

I earned a biology degree in 2009 and a degree in medical laboratory science shortly after. After a stint in Chicago at Northwestern Medicine, I returned to Columbus, Ohio, and worked on high-containment research projects at Battelle Memorial Institute for about three years. 

I always planned to go into startups, and after I gained experience in both clinical settings and research, I moved to a tiny lab out of Powell, Ohio, called Gnome Diagnostics. When the pandemic hit, I used my polymerase chain reaction (PCR) capabilities to develop a COVID-19 test, which enabled me to serve my community. That felt very high stakes, and I wore nearly every professional hat besides CEO while developing and marketing the test. That sparked my interest in building my business expertise to eventually achieve that CEO title.

I now work for a biotech firm called Clarametyx Biosciences. We developed one product that is in phase one of clinical trials, and we are in the early stages of developing a second product. I was hired to manage program operations, but I wear many hats. 

What drew you to Case Western Reserve? Why did you select our online MBA in Healthcare Management program?

I have diverse interests and always loved the business side of biosciences, but never understood the financial mechanics behind it. After I ruled out earning a finance degree, an MBA seemed like the obvious choice. 

I looked at both in-person and online programs throughout Ohio, and I really liked what Case Western Reserve had to offer in terms of the program’s learning format and the school’s reputation. I appreciated the healthcare aspect because, even though I will not necessarily be in clinical settings in the future, I anticipate my career continuing to revolve around the biosciences. 

I also weighed the pros and cons of online vs. in-person programs. I have two children and a husband in the military, so ultimately I determined the time, energy and effort it would take to travel to campus every week for in-person classes was not realistic.

What has your experience been like as an online student at Case Western Reserve so far?

It has been fantastic! Looking back, I did not realize how much better an online program would be for my learning style. I like to pause recordings, take screenshots and rewatch content, which helps me better understand course concepts.  

What has surprised you about learning online? 

I have gained a lot of networking value out of the program, and no one is more surprised about this than me. I have become really good friends with my classmates and developed relationships beyond class discussions. The peer-to-peer connections developed organically because there is a lot of group work so, by necessity, we are in constant contact with each other, and we have formed deeper connections through collaboration.

What projects or assignments stand out so far?

I loved completing my corporate finance project for the “Financial Management” course. I developed a financial plan for a corporation and performed an evaluation for a non-publicly traded company. I really loved learning how to think about corporate finance practices and how to best put them to use. 

What have you learned that you can apply or have applied in a professional setting?

I am one of five employees at my company so, by nature, we work outside our traditional job responsibilities. It is well-known among my colleagues that I am earning this MBA, and our CEO now brings me into board meetings even though I am considered a junior member of the team.

I am already applying my education to finance, strategy and operations at Clarametyx. I was hired as an operations program manager and after completing the “Operations Management” course through the online MBA program, I realized I was doing my job the hard way before. My operations management skills have gotten way better, and I am seeing the returns daily. 

You attended a residency. What were your biggest takeaways from that experience?

The residency was a great exposure opportunity. We were split into groups and visited institutions that align with our interests. I work in entrepreneurship and startups, and I spent three days at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals meeting pretty much every business unit within each organization. I work for a company that is embedded in the healthcare community, so I met many professionals who were connected to my coworkers or past colleagues, and it felt like a good expansion of my network.  

I was particularly struck by the fact that everyone was very engaged and went out of their way to connect with the students and make sure we were asking questions and getting answers. I really felt like they cared about meeting us, learning about us and ensuring we learned from them. 

How have your interactions with classmates contributed to your experience?

The quality of people pursuing this degree is so high. Working on group projects, every single person in each group has clicked quickly, been committed to the team’s success and brought a unique perspective. We learn from each other and collaborate to help each other be more successful. Over time, a number of classmates have turned into really good friends, and our small local group meets in person for fun when we can. 

What kind of support have you received from program staff and faculty? 

The staff and faculty have been absolutely incredible. Lindsey Walkemeyer, a senior enrollment advisor, was instrumental in getting me to apply. I initially thought I did not have the grades to earn a spot in the program and was hesitant about going back to school, but she was so encouraging and gave me the confidence I needed. Lily Coye, our student success coach, checks in frequently and I appreciate how invested she is in our success. 

The real MVP is Suzanne Healy, [assistant dean and] online MBA program director, who has gone above and beyond to make this program what it is. While I know it is a group effort, her work is very visible. As the inaugural cohort, my classmates and I tend to want detailed answers to our questions right away, and Suzanne always provides great information very quickly. We were also able to spend time getting to know her during the residency, which was another bonus of the in-person experience. 

How does earning an MBA fit into your career goals?

I am already seeing the payoff at work. I am being pulled into board meetings and getting exposure to senior leadership, but I believe having an MBA behind my name will continue to open more doors that would not have been opened otherwise. 

I have also learned much more about leadership. I can be a dominating personality, and the soft skills I have learned through this program have taught me to be a more gentle leader, which will help me communicate at a higher level. I plan to stay in the biosciences field, and having business knowledge with a healthcare lens will continue to help me advance. 

Have you been able to maintain balance between school, work and personal life?

I found my footing pretty quickly in terms of balance. To an extent, you do not have much of a choice because none of the balls you are juggling can drop. I am pretty comfortable working in high gear, so the transition was not too difficult. I also have so much support personally, professionally and at Case Western Reserve.

What advice do you have for other candidates considering the online MBA in Healthcare Management program?

Keep an open mind. Your plans do not necessarily work out how you think they will, but my experience has shown that it often works out much better. Go into the program curious and looking to make connections because it is not the type of program where you simply show up, do your work and tap out. The real benefit is getting to know your peers and the professionals you get to interact with along the way.