Diana L. Foster, Ph.D., is a seasoned leader in the clinical research industry with a career spanning site ownership, global recruitment innovation, and executive leadership. Dr. Foster started her career in clinical trials on the clinical research side of the industry where she co-owned Metroplex Clinical Research Center in Dallas, TX. At that time, MCRC was one of the largest private research sites in the country and focused on Rheumatology and Immunology. In the 1990s, she founded one of the first site management organizations, Rheumatology Research International, a network of 50 clinical sites. She later launched D. Anderson & Company, a global patient recruitment firm that supported major pharmaceutical clients across 100+ countries. After its acquisition, Dr. Foster co-founded Total Clinical Trials Management, a Dallas-based CRO, which she eventually rebranded as Total Diversity Clinical Trial Management, where she served as Founder and CEO for over a decade, championing inclusive research practices.
She has recently transitioned into strategic consulting, advising organizations on site development, patient engagement, and diversity strategy in clinical trials.
For nearly a decade, she served as Vice President of Strategy and Development for the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS), where she led global partnerships and launched the organization’s landmark diversity programs. She developed and authored the Diversity Site Assessment Tool (DSAT), which remains a widely used framework in the industry.
An internationally recognized thought leader, Dr. Foster has written seven influential industry books, including Global Issues in Patient Recruitment and Retention and Diversity in Clinical Trials: Best Practices and Perspectives for Industry and Clinical Research Sites, co-authored with Dr. Jerome Adams, former U.S. Surgeon General and Chair of the Board at TOTAL Diversity.
Her accolades include recognition as an International Woman of Influence by the Global EXEC Women’s International Council, being named a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and induction into PharmaVOICE’s 100 Most Inspiring People in the Life-Sciences Industry.
She served as Chairman of the Board for the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the Arthritis Health Professionals. She has also held leadership roles with the American Pain Society and the American College of Rheumatology. She holds a Ph.D. in Research and Statistics from Texas Woman’s University and is a passionate advocate for equity in research and women in business.