Karen Chandler-Male – Trustee

Career Profile:

Karen Chandler-Male has over 25 years of communications, marketing and business development experience in the life sciences/healthcare sector with a focus on cancer diagnostics and gene therapy. She is director of Lifesciences Consultants Ltd, a successful strategic consultancy company working for a range of life science and healthcare companies both in the UK and US.

Karen holds a BSc. (Hons) degree in Biological Sciences and a post-graduate diploma in Marketing.

Why did you become a St Nicholas Hospice Care Trustee?

There are definitely two parts to this answer. On a professional level, I felt I would be able to add value to the Board by bringing many years of commercial and business experience gained in running a successful consultancy company in the lifesciences sector.

On a more personal level, I’ve supported and volunteered for the Hospice in a few different ways over the years – jumping out of planes, running, cycling to name a few events. I also volunteered on the in-patient ward a few years back and learnt very quickly the importance of a ‘cuppa’ in difficult times. I spent many Sunday mornings making tea for patients, their families and friends. It really is the small things that make the biggest difference.  I also saw first-hand the level of care given by the hospice team when my Grandad stayed on the ward for some respite care after his lung cancer diagnosis. The care provided to my Grandad and my whole family was amazing, helpful and caring. Another reason for becoming a trustees was to learn from the other trustees who all come from a wide range of backgrounds. Together we work with the Hospice team to ensure we all make a difference to patients’ lives.