Deirdre Hake of Gene Editing Institute Named a Philadelphia Business Journal Woman of Influence

Deirdre Hake, MBA, director of strategy and business development at ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute, has been honored as a 2024 Philadelphia Business Journal Woman of Influence. She was among 30 women across the greater Philadelphia area to receive this honor.

“On behalf of the Gene Editing Institute’s exceptional scientists and educators, I am proud to receive this recognition,” Hake said. “I am grateful to stand alongside my fellow honorees who represent such tremendous commitment to career and community. I believe this achievement is a demonstration of the innovation and ambition that our organization supports, and I look forward to showcasing the excellence of our team for years to come.”

Hake leads the Gene Editing Institute’s operations and strategy. Among her accomplishments are the launch of the first Learning Lab in the nation integrated with a professional gene editing lab, where high school students receive hands-on experience with CRISPR gene editing and learn about careers in genomic science. Since its pilot in April 2023, more than 850 students from the tri-state area have completed a gene editing experiment at the Lab.

Working with a team of researchers, she manages the licensing of DECODR, a software program created by the Gene Editing Institute that has revolutionized the way scientists the world over evaluate the effectiveness of CRISPR gene editing. She also helped establish a DECODR student internship program, which has contributed additional resources and support to DECODR and its user base while providing hands-on career experience for students. This interaction with home-grown talent in Delaware is an example of Hake’s commitment to fostering the next generation of professionals through an inclusive and innovative environment.

Hake’s role also extends to handling the recruitment and development of scientists, educators and administrative teams within the Institute. She created the buy-back program for staff training and workshops, where the Institute offers to pay for a certain amount of career-focused skill building amongst its employees. This encourages team members to take time to develop their resumes and portfolios.

“Deirdre drives our institute’s growth with great passion. She is so deserving to be listed among the most influential leaders in the region,” said Eric Kmiec, Ph.D., executive director and chief scientific officer of ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute. “With her dedication and hard work, Deirdre will continue to be a superstar, setting the stage for more exciting growth in research and education at the Gene Editing Institute.”

Hake was also named a Delaware Today Women in Business honoree in 2023, for her exceptional leadership and her role in outstanding program growth.