Dr. James Campbell

At Booz Allen Hamilton: Based in Melbourne from 1999-2001, James was a member of the home team. Before Booz Allen, he earned an MBA from Melbourne Business School. This complemented his PhD in biochemistry and four years experience leading a genetic engineering research team at the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO).

What did you learn at Booz Allen? Booz Allen offers so many opportunities for growth and development. The things that stand out for me are refining the science of strategic thinking, confirming the value of analysis-driven problem solving, exposure to the highest levels of management, and learning how to implement change.

Booz Allen prepared me well for my first position beyond the firm — with the commercial arm of Australia's leading research university, the University of Melbourne. I sat on the investment committee of the pre-seed VC fund UniSeed Pty Ltd, and served as a director of three biotech start-ups. It was a fantastic position, and the combination of my experience at Booz Allen coupled with a scientific background gave me the requisite tools for biotech venture capital.

How valuable was the Booz Allen experience to your current position? I arrived at the company in mid-2002 at the request of our CEO Greg Collier, one of Australia's leading biotechnologists. Greg was looking to implement a substantial transformation program in a company that the previous management had let drift. This was the perfect "brief" for a Booz Allen alumni — rigorous strategy-based transformation. After a year of restructuring, and some strategic acquisitions of both companies and theraputic assets the company has flourished and enhanced its reputation in the market significantly. The company listed on the NASDAQ exchange in 2005.

What was your best Booz Allen experience? Two things stand out. An intense three-month project I worked on with Douwe Tideman and a client team was the kind of a assignment you dream about: one-on-one time with an outstanding partner, total immersion into the client and their business, being part of a dedicated client team that faced a substantial and difficult business problem — topped off by our regular access to the CEO and the board, and the client's commitment to implement the strategy.

On a broader scale, the quality of my Booz Allen colleagues endures to this day. I've been fortunate to carry forward a collection of these outstanding individuals as friends. It's an incredible asset and something I value very highly.

So what is it that drives you today? It's the excitement of being involved in the thought leadership of biotechnology, which has the potential to dramatically enhance the quality of life for many millions of people.

Many people assume that modern medicine understands most of how the human system works. It doesn't. Our science is so unique that we have identified a range of novel therapeutics that are associated with core human diseases such as cancer, obesity and diabetes. These and other biotechnology developments over the coming decade will totally change the face of therapeutic interventions.

Contributing to this exciting and dynamic field is a perfect fit for both my experience and my aspirations.

I'm new to Booz Allen. What's your advice? You should know three things:

• Know that Booz Allen rarely makes hiring mistakes. You have been appointed because you are an outstanding individual, and you do belong.



• Know that Booz Allen will support you in your development needs, and will offer you unparalleled opportunities for growth and development.



• Know yourself. You don't do your clients any favors if you're not absolutely comfortable with who you are, where you are, and where you're going. Have the courage to leave when it is no longer fun and is not giving you the growth opportunities you deserve.

profile updated January 2007