Fortrea Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Fortrea has 9 executives leading key functions including finance, IT strategy, AI/ML, vendor management, administration, operations, clinical pharmacology, and commercial development.

Driven by scientific rigor, Fortrea is dedicated to transforming medical ideas into proven therapies, supporting the entire clinical development process with innovative problem-solving.

Leadership Roles at Fortrea

  • Chief Financial Officer - Jill McConnell
  • Chief Operations Officer & President, Clinical Development - Mark Morais
  • President, Clinical Pharmacology Services - Scott Dove
  • Chief Medical Officer and President, Clinical Pharmacology Services - Oren Cohen
  • President & Chief Commercial Officer - Drayton Virkler
  • IT Strategy Partner & Chief Information Officer, Office of The (Ocio) - Priyank Sameer
  • Director, Artificial Intelligence & Chief Information Officer, Machine Learning Office of - Pankaj Bakshi
  • Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Vendor Management-Office - Madeshwaran Rajendran
  • Chief Administrative Officer - David Cooper
  • Jill McConnell - Chief Financial Officer

    Jill McConnell, the Chief Financial Officer at Fortrea, directs all financial operations and strategic fiscal planning. Overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, McConnell ensures robust fiscal health across the organization. This leadership role involves managing investment strategies and optimizing capital allocation to support Fortrea's global expansion and research initiatives. By analyzing market trends and financial performance, Jill McConnell drives profitability and shareholder value. The Chief Financial Officer's oversight extends to risk management and compliance, safeguarding the company's assets and financial integrity. This position is critical for sustaining Fortrea's mission of advancing medical therapies through meticulous financial stewardship.

    Mark Morais - Chief Operations Officer & President, Clinical Development

    Mark Morais, the Chief Operations Officer & President, Clinical Development at Fortrea, drives the execution of all clinical development services. Overseeing the end-to-end clinical trial process, Morais ensures scientific rigor and operational excellence across global projects. This leadership role involves managing cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality research solutions that accelerate the journey from medical concept to approved therapy. By optimizing operational workflows and resource deployment, Mark Morais enhances Fortrea's capacity to serve clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. The Chief Operations Officer's focus includes implementing innovative strategies to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and improve trial efficiency. This position is pivotal in realizing Fortrea's commitment to transforming promising medical ideas into proven treatments.

    Scott Dove - President, Clinical Pharmacology Services

    Scott Dove, the President, Clinical Pharmacology Services at Fortrea, leads the specialized division focused on early-phase clinical trials and drug metabolism studies. Overseeing the scientific and operational aspects of pharmacology services, Dove ensures the delivery of critical data for drug development. This leadership role involves guiding teams of experts in designing and executing complex studies that assess drug safety and efficacy in human subjects. By advancing the capabilities within clinical pharmacology, Scott Dove supports clients in making informed decisions during the initial stages of therapeutic development. The President, Clinical Pharmacology Services's mandate includes fostering scientific innovation and maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance. This position is integral to Fortrea's comprehensive approach to transforming medical ideas into viable therapies.

    Oren Cohen - Chief Medical Officer and President, Clinical Pharmacology Services

    Oren Cohen, the Chief Medical Officer and President, Clinical Pharmacology Services at Fortrea, provides critical medical and scientific leadership for early-phase research. Overseeing the clinical strategy and execution of pharmacology studies, Cohen ensures the scientific integrity and ethical conduct of trials. This leadership role involves guiding the interpretation of complex clinical data and advising clients on therapeutic development pathways. By leveraging extensive medical expertise, Oren Cohen enhances Fortrea's ability to navigate the intricacies of drug development and regulatory requirements. The Chief Medical Officer's focus includes driving innovation in clinical trial design and ensuring patient safety. This dual role is essential for translating scientific insights into tangible therapeutic advancements.

    Drayton Virkler - President & Chief Commercial Officer

    Drayton Virkler, the President & Chief Commercial Officer at Fortrea, directs all commercial strategies and market engagement initiatives. Overseeing sales, business development, and client relations, Virkler drives revenue growth and expands Fortrea's global market presence. This leadership role involves identifying new opportunities and forging strategic partnerships within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries. By championing Fortrea's comprehensive clinical research solutions, Drayton Virkler ensures alignment between client needs and service delivery. The Chief Commercial Officer's focus includes developing innovative go-to-market strategies and enhancing customer engagement. This position is critical for sustaining Fortrea's mission of transforming medical ideas into proven therapies through effective commercial outreach.

    Priyank Sameer - IT Strategy Partner & Chief Information Officer, Office of The (Ocio)

    Priyank Sameer, the IT Strategy Partner & Chief Information Officer, Office of The (Ocio) at Fortrea, architects the overarching technology strategy. Overseeing the integration of IT solutions and digital transformation initiatives, Sameer ensures technological alignment with business objectives. This leadership role involves guiding the development and implementation of robust IT infrastructure to support Fortrea's complex clinical research operations across multiple continents. By fostering innovation in technology adoption, Priyank Sameer enhances operational efficiency and data security. The Chief Information Officer's focus includes optimizing enterprise systems and driving digital capabilities that accelerate the delivery of clinical research services. This strategic position is vital for maintaining Fortrea's competitive edge in the global healthcare market.

    Pankaj Bakshi - Director, Artificial Intelligence & Chief Information Officer, Machine Learning Office of

    Pankaj Bakshi, the Director, Artificial Intelligence & Chief Information Officer, Machine Learning Office of at Fortrea, spearheads the advancement of AI and machine learning capabilities. Overseeing the strategic deployment of AI technologies within clinical research, Bakshi drives innovation in data analysis and predictive modeling. This leadership role involves developing and implementing cutting-edge ML solutions that enhance the efficiency and accuracy of clinical trial processes. By exploring novel applications of artificial intelligence, Pankaj Bakshi aims to accelerate the transformation of medical ideas into proven therapies. The Chief Information Officer, Machine Learning Office of's mandate includes fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making and ensuring the ethical application of AI. This position is crucial for positioning Fortrea at the forefront of technological innovation in healthcare R&D.

    Madeshwaran Rajendran - Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Vendor Management-Office

    Madeshwaran Rajendran, the Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Vendor Management-Office at Fortrea, manages the strategic oversight of all IT vendor relationships and contracts. Overseeing procurement, performance, and integration of third-party technology solutions, Rajendran ensures optimal value and service delivery. This leadership role involves establishing strong partnerships with technology providers to support Fortrea's global clinical research operations. By optimizing vendor performance and negotiating favorable terms, Madeshwaran Rajendran contributes to cost efficiency and technological advancement. The Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Vendor Management-Office's responsibilities include ensuring vendor compliance with security and regulatory standards. This position is essential for maintaining a resilient and effective technology ecosystem supporting Fortrea's mission.

    David Cooper - Chief Administrative Officer

    David Cooper, the Chief Administrative Officer at Fortrea, directs the comprehensive administrative functions supporting global operations. Overseeing facilities management, corporate services, and operational efficiency initiatives, Cooper ensures a seamless working environment for all employees. This leadership role involves optimizing resource allocation and implementing best practices across administrative departments to enhance productivity and support Fortrea's core mission. By streamlining internal processes and managing corporate infrastructure, David Cooper contributes to the company's overall effectiveness. The Chief Administrative Officer's purview includes ensuring compliance with corporate policies and fostering a productive organizational culture. This position is fundamental to the smooth functioning of Fortrea's extensive network of research facilities and specialized teams.
    David Cooper

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Fortrea Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Fortrea?
    Fortrea is led by Jill McConnell (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Mark Morais (Chief Operations Officer & President, Clinical Development) and Scott Dove (President, Clinical Pharmacology Services).
    Who is part of Fortrea’s executive team?
    The executive team of Fortrea includes leaders such as Jill McConnell (Chief Financial Officer), Mark Morais (Chief Operations Officer & President, Clinical Development), Scott Dove (President, Clinical Pharmacology Services) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Fortrea have?
    Fortrea has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Fortrea’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Fortrea includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer & President, Clinical Development, President, Clinical Pharmacology Services, Chief Medical Officer and President, Clinical Pharmacology Services, President & Chief Commercial Officer.