Donald A. Deieso, PhD

Donald A. Deieso, PhD has devoted his life to public health and being a champion for patients of all backgrounds, all over the world. Particularly, his work has centered on improving the clinical trial experience for patients and their caregivers, spearheading numerous initiatives to transform research processes and accelerate their adoption across the life sciences industry.

Dr. Deieso founded WIRB-Copernicus Group (WCG) in 2012 and led its growth to an organization that now encompasses 5 operating divisions, 2,500 global employees, and over 25 office locations worldwide. He served as executive chairman of the company beginning in 2012 and assumed the additional role of CEO from October 2013 to May 2022. From 2011 through 2019, Dr. Deieso served as an operating partner and co-head of the Healthcare Group at Arsenal Capital Partners.

Prior to WCG, Dr. Deieso was CEO of a number of publicly-traded and privately-held companies in the healthcare, life sciences, technology, and engineering industries. Among them, he led an organization ranked a Deloitte Fast 500 Company for three consecutive years. Additionally, Dr. Deieso has held senior positions in federal and state regulatory agencies.

In recognition of his ability to influence change across the life sciences industry over his career, Dr. Deieso has been named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, one of the 20 Innovators Changing the Face of the Clinical Trials Industry by CenterWatch, and among PharmaVOICE’s 100 Most Inspiring Leaders in Life Sciences. In 2020, he received the coveted Red Jacket Award, which honors individuals who have been recognized multiple times throughout the years as a PharmaVOICE 100 honoree and continue to demonstrate a commitment to leadership, innovation, mentoring and philanthropy. In 2019, Dr. Deieso received the Red Door Award for Leadership from Gilda’s Club of NYC for his financial support of cancer patient care. Throughout his career, Dr. Deieso has made a relentless commitment to doing what is right for patients during clinical trial participation, while reducing the burden on both participants and caregivers.

Underscoring his passion and dedication to changing the status quo in healthcare more broadly, Dr. Deieso also serves as a member of the board of directors for BioIVT, TractManager, and Inspire. He holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Manhattan College, and an MS and PhD from Rutgers University, where he served on the faculty. Dr. Deieso lectures and writes frequently on compliance matters related to clinical research and compliance within the life science industry.

In addition, Dr. Deieso is a former member of the board of trustees for the Kenan Institute of the University of North Carolina and The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. He also previously served on the board of directors for Certara, Breckenridge Financial Services, and IMDS.