Kendal Whitlock

Kendal Whitlock is a healthcare innovator and clinical research leader with more than 20 years of experience driving equity, efficiency, and innovation in clinical trials. She currently serves as Head of Digital Optimization, Real-World Evidence (RWE) Clinical Trials at Walgreens Boots Alliance, where she leverages digital health, real-world data, and patient engagement strategies to expand access and diversity in clinical studies. Kendal views this work not just as a profession, but as a calling—shaping a more inclusive future for clinical research.

Before joining Walgreens, Kendal spent over a decade at Boehringer Ingelheim, where she held leadership roles in business innovation, medical education, and strategic engagement. Her work included developing decentralized trial strategies, building external collaborations, and advancing patient-centered research models. Earlier in her career, she served as Program Director for Oncology at SciMed and as a Medical Science Liaison at Forest Laboratories.

Kendal studied pre-med before earning her Master’s in Public Health, building her career on the design and execution of better clinical trials. She has continued to strengthen her expertise through advanced programs, including a certificate in Drug and Medical Device Development from MIT xPRO, behavioral science studies at Columbia Business School, and leadership development in advancing health equity from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

A passionate advocate for mentorship and representation, Kendal’s formative experiences were shaped by role models who inspired her commitment to science and community impact. Today, she serves on boards including the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, contributing to initiatives that amplify African American voices and cultural heritage.

Kendal’s career is guided by her vision for a future where clinical trials are more accessible, efficient, and equitable—reducing barriers for patients and creating stronger, more diverse foundations for medical innovation.