Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 8/1/2025 12:00:00 AM
Donald Heald, PhD, President, Tenacia CP Bio Consulting, LLC, Fulton, Maryland
What does being the 2025 Mentor Award Recipient mean to you?
I was surprised to receive the ASCPT mentoring award in recognition for something I really enjoy: interacting with and mentoring people. Working with the Student & Trainee Community leadership over the past 4 years has been a wonderful experience for me. I have been able to call on my experiences at the FDA and leading large global clinical pharmacology and bioanalytical groups to help guide these new leaders working in volunteer leadership positions. The STC leadership members have diverse backgrounds and live in different regions around the world. Developing interpersonal group dynamic skills was initially challenging, but the group established a solid foundation. As steering committee members accepted chair positions, their leadership skills and experience levels grew; they continued to build vibrant and energized leadership teams. I have been so proud of the past and current chairs and the steering committee members for reaching out to network with other ASCPT Communities, bringing forth fresh and innovative ideas, and working to accomplish annual goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed my one-to-one mentoring meetings. Listening to their ideas as they explored future opportunities after graduation has been rewarding. I am humbled and honored to receive this award.
What is the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Twenty minutes prior to giving a major presentation to the National Sales force (4,000 people) in Hawaii, I was approached by the Head of Marketing and asked to do a 15-minute impromptu skit with Mike Myers (famous for his role as the voice of Shrek and for roles in other comedic movies). My response was “Who is Mike Myers?” People were surprised by my reaction and said I would be perfect for the skit as the straight man. Mike was scheduled to provide evening entertainment but had to travel back to Hollywood earlier than expected, and he could not do his originally prepared skit. I met Mike in his dressing room as he was installing his false teeth. He outlined a skit for me. I would start my presentation, and he would enter the Hall from the back with his famous background music and pretend to be an annoying photographer while I started my presentation. After 10 minutes, Mike would wink as we tug back and forth with my “written” speech, and I would let go, and papers would fly everywhere. He would then fumble his way to the back of the Hall and out the door. We did the skit and the audience loved it. The video recording was interesting to watch—but I knew I would NEVER be a professional actor.
What is your favorite Society memory?
I have many fond memories, but one that stands out is my appointment to be an At-Large member of the ASCPT Board of Directors. My tenure started just before COVID shut everything down. The Board of Directors had to quickly make strategic and impactful decisions about the Annual Meeting as well as meet financial obligations, institute a DEI policy, review publication strategy, and, most importantly, keep members engaged as we moved into a world of digital meetings and presentations. During this challenging time, it was personally rewarding to work with other professionals to accomplish these goals and move the Society forward.
Who has inspired you in your career?
Although blessed with many people who have inspired me in my career, the first and lasting inspiration came from a slogan attributed to the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge: Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On!” has solved and will solve the problems of the human race.
I read this slogan when I started graduate school, and this has been an inspiration in my life and in my career. I wrote this slogan on the second page of my PhD dissertation, and I named my consulting company “Tenacia,” which is an Italian word meaning persistent or perseverance in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired. In our work and personal lives, there are tough times, challenges, and obstacles that get in the way of achieving a goal, and this quote has inspired me to push through those situations and to “Press On!”
Dr Heald has been a member of ASCPT since 2006.
