Who We Are
We are a dedicated team of clinical research experts commited to improving clinical trial diversity. We equip clinical research professionals with the knowledge and skills to enroll more representative patient populations into clinical trials to ensure that medicines are safe and effective for all people. We do this by offering an e-Learning and instructor-led clinical trial diversity training and certification course, complemented by a patient recruitment strategy consultancy and clinical trial diversity plans.
Our Commitment to Clinical Research Professionals
We partner with clinical research professionals, offering solutions to ensure the recruitment process is not only efficient, but also representative of diverse populations. Knowing that medical conditions often intersect with diverse genetic, socio-economic, and environmental factors, it is imperative that clinical trials reflect the intended users of the medical innovation.
Our Leadership Team
Clinical Trial Diversity Leaders and Trial Equity Co-founders: Ashni Niemeyer, COO & Head of Product Development and Dr. Otis Johnson, Co-Founder & Principal Consultant
Ashni Niemeyer, MSc, B. Eng (she/her)
Ashni Niemeyer, with 22 years in clinical trial operations and corporate training, has a proven record in operationalizing award-winning DEI strategies, supporting M&As, and leading global teams to expand and enhance operational excellence and the customer experience. In her role as the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Product Development at Trial Equity, Ashni brings a unique blend of strategic vision and operational acumen to drive innovative solutions in clinical trial diversity.
Ashni has a bachelors in electronics engineering, a masters in business and certifications in knowledge management, change management and diversity, equity and inclusion. She is uniquely qualified to help organizations operationalize their DEI and environmental aspirations, having achieved measurable success through assessments like employee engagement and customer satisfaction (CSAT) scores, Ecovadis, Carbon Disclosure Program (CDP) and the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
She comes to Trial Equity after having most recently serving as the Senior Director of Operational Excellence at Clario where she led the global Knowledge Management, Quality Management, Escalation Management and Vendor Management functions for clinical trials.
Ashni believes in collaborating closely with business leaders to help them balance doing well with doing good. She is an expert in developing and executing DEI and environmental strategies that are firmly embedded into the business strategy. She applies her expert knowledge of people and business operations to help her customers implement visionary roadmaps and achieve meaningful organizational change on their journey of growth and transformation.
Otis Johnson, PhD, MPA (he/him)
Dr. Otis Johnson stands out as a leading authority in clinical research and championing clinical trial diversity within the pharmaceutical industry. His career began with a transformative 13-year tenure at Merck & Co., where he played a critical role in the approval of Singulair for exercise-induced bronchospasm and founding the Global Trial Optimization group.
His expertise flourished at Syneos Health and ICON, where he spearheaded advancements in inclusive clinical development strategies, focusing on feasibility, clinical informatics, and patient recruitment.
As a product management executive at Clario, Otis significantly contributed to the growth of the Trial Oversight analytics product line, turning it into a $30 million venture. He also elevated the organization’s ESG ratings in his role as the Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability Officer.
In his current role as Co-founder and Principal Consultant of Trial Equity, Otis works to equip clinical research professionals with the knowledge and skills to enroll more representative, diverse patient populations into clinical trials to ensure that medicines are safe and effective for all people.
Recognized as a PharmaVoice 100 Most Inspiring Industry Leader, a top DE&I Leader by Mogul, and honored with the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Honorable Mentor Award, Dr. Johnson continues to shine as a timely industry disruptor in shaping the future of health equity in clinical trials.
Why We Prioritize Diversity
Imagine a loved one relying on a medication for a critical condition, yet facing uncertainty because the drug wasn't sufficiently tested on people with their demographic or genetic makeup. This is the consequence of inadequate participant diversity in clinical trials. Simply put, without participant diversity, there's no quality.
In clinical research, diversity is essential, not optional. By championing diverse participation, we address these gaps, ensuring that medical breakthroughs are universally applicable. This commitment not only strengthens the research's validity, but also bolsters trust in medical advancements across diverse communities. Through intentional inclusion, we strive to ensure that medical discoveries are relevant, effective, and beneficial across diverse populations.
