​Beyond the Bench: Building a Career in Scientific Sales Leadership

​Transitioning from the lab into a commercial role can feel like a leap, but your scientific background is more relevant than you may think. This session breaks down how research experience translates into sales and commercial leadership, offering clear guidance on navigating the shift with intention and confidence.

​You’ll walk away with practical insight into:

• ​Building On Your Scientific Foundation
  How to leverage your technical expertise, curiosity, and problem-solving skills as strengths in a customer-facing, commercial environment.

• ​Clarifying Your Career Direction
  How to identify which commercial paths (sales, solutions consulting, BD) align with your interests, strengths, and long-term goals.

• ​Translating Lab Experience Into Commercial Roles
  Turning bench skills into value-driven conversations with customers.

​Who Should Attend Life sciences professionals at any stage of their career who want to understand the evolving landscape and take actionable steps to advance, pivot, or strengthen their career trajectory.

​About the Expert

​Charlie Kivolowitz

​Charlie is the Associate Director – North America Sales at BlueWhale Bio. He brings a sales expertise honed by more than a decade as a lab scientist prior to his transition to the life science sales sector. Prior to BlueWhale, he was a Technical Sales Specialist – Cell Therapy at BioIVT and a Senior Technical Account Manager at Slingshot Biosciences. He is a long time cell therapy enthusiast with a background in Flow Cytometry, Assay Development, and Theater. He is also a proud member of Team T cell. 

​LinkedIn

​About the Program

​Career Catalyst

​Career Catalyst is BioBuzz’s flagship weekly virtual series connecting life sciences professionals with experts and actionable insights. The program runs every Tuesday @ 12 PM EST for approximately 45 minutes:

• ​20-minute expert presentation

• ​25-minute live, open Q&A

​Sessions rotate through four thematic tracks with new experts each week, ensuring content stays relevant for life sciences professionals at every career stage. Each track is community-led and hosted by our Career Community Ambassadors.

​Tracks include:

​➡️ Career Navigation — Networking, skill-building, and strategies to advance your career across all life sciences disciplines. Hosted by Crystal Richards, Principal & Owner, MindsparQ.

​➡️ Focus: Emerging — Deep dives on trends, innovations, and opportunities shaping the life sciences ecosystem and their relevance to your professional growth. Hosted by Jake Rodriguez, Marketing Director, Triangle Biotech Tuesday.

​➡️ Biomanufacturing — Insights into the backbone of biotech success, shaping the industry and your career. Hosted by Paris McKenzie, Manufacturing Technician, Longeviti Neuro Solutions.

​➡️ CQV & Validation — Insights into compliance, quality systems, and operational standards that underpin high-performing life sciences organizations and support your professional growth. Hosted by Kayla Britt, Founder & Principal Consultant, Britt Biocomputing.

​Sponsors

​Bio-Trac​

​With over 30 years of expertise, Bio-Trac® workshops have trained more than 17,000 scientists and engaged 300 scientist instructors. Designed by active researchers and open to the scientific community, these workshops equip bench and research scientists with the latest lab techniques and provide training on cutting-edge biotechnology advancements to a global audience across all biotech sectors.

​LinkedIn | Website

​Workforce Genetics

​Workforce Genetics (WGx) is a premier recruiting firm serving the life sciences, MedTech, and healthcare sectors, supporting companies from startup to commercial. The firm delivers transformative talent strategies through retained and executive search, contingent search, and outsourced talent acquisition.

​LinkedIn | Website

​​Important Information

​BioBuzz's Career Catalyst sessions are intended to provide insights, guidance, and support for professionals navigating their careers. These sessions are not a platform for selling services, recruitment pitches, or business solicitations. They are designed for job seekers and those looking to make connections and build community.

​Please be respectful of fellow participants and help ensure this remains a valuable, trusted resource for all.

​Participants who engage in solicitation, promotional activity, or behavior that disrupts the intent of the session will be asked to leave.

​Repeated or serious violations may result in removal from the session and exclusion from future Career Catalyst events.

​Want to be an expert guest?

​If you’re interested in sharing your knowledge with the BioBuzz community, get in touch via hello [@] biobuzz.io.