Kathleen Brunner loves puzzles and complex challenges. It makes sense, then, that she would launch a company that finds tech solutions in the life sciences industry.
Brunner is the chief executive officer and president of Acumen Analytics Inc., and she has nearly 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, executive, investor and board member. Brunner has worked with top life sciences and Fortune 500 companies, contributing to their success through her go-to- market experience, technical knowledge, strategic thinking and execution. As the founder of Acumen, Brunner has led the company to achieve double- digit growth.
Brunner has overcome challenges as one of the few women in the technology and life sciences industries, and she uses her position to inspire and support other women. Brunner serves as a mentor, nonprofit board member and advisor to young professionals, particularly focusing on encouraging girls and women to pursue careers in STEM.
“I firmly believe that resilience is key to success in this industry,” Brunner said. “It requires perseverance and the ability to bounce back from setbacks and failures. At the same time, it also requires the foresight to identify trends and anticipate changes, allowing us to stay ahead of the curve and develop solutions that can withstand the test of time.
“Since our founding in 2006, Acumen has undergone several transformations. We transitioned into a technology solution provider and built and sold several software products for life science customers, resulting in several multimillion dollar exits for them. In 2019, we built and sold a software product for one of the largest quality management software providers for the life sciences and manufacturing industries. Today, we are doing it again. We are building another patent-pending technology solution that has already received a nomination for Innovation in April. We are on track for an even bigger success than in 2019. It is an exciting time for us as we work on bringing this product to market and watching it grow.”
In addition to her role as CEO, Brunner hosts the “Life Sphere” podcast, where she shares knowledge, highlights exceptional women in the life sciences field and explores industry trends and advancements.
Acumen has received numerous awards and accolades, including recognition as a top Philadelphia Life Science Company, a Top Philadelphia Women-Owned Business and placements on the INC 5000 list.
Brunner holds leadership positions with the Union League of Philadelphia Young Member Mentor program and Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Leadership Council. She also serves on the board of Saint Joseph’s University Managing Human Capital and Saint Joseph’s University Loyola Society. She serves as a mentor for PACT’s Mentor Connect program, which leverages the wisdom and insight of the Ben Franklin and PACT communities for the progress of their entrepreneurs. She also serves on the boards of the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs, Ithaca College Cybersecurity Board, Team Pennsylvania and Pearl S. Buck International.
