Thirteen years ago, Kimberley Howarth-Munro joined QIAGEN on a six-month maternity cover contract as a scientist. She didn’t just find a job; she found a community.
Since then, her role has evolved into Associate Director, Dx Assay Development, overseeing resource planning for 140 people while directly managing a team of 20. Her focus is on building high-performing teams through training, development and collaboration.
Creating connection across teams
But Kimberley is just as well known for her role outside of the org chart: leading QIAGEN Manchester’s charity committee. When the previous lead stepped down, Kimberley took over without hesitation.
“It’s about more than fundraising,” Kimerbley explains. “It’s about bringing people together, whether they’re in the office or working remotely.”
Under her leadership, the committee runs four events a year, from bake-offs and plant sales to talent shows and tombolas, supporting causes like Francis House, Manchester Children’s Hospital, Coffee4Craig and Cancer Research UK, to name a few. Over the past decade, they’ve raised more than £30,000.
When purpose hits home
Kimberley’s belief in the power of community is rooted in a deep understanding of QIAGEN’s impact. Years into her career, her father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and the treatment that helped him was linked to a QIAGEN companion diagnostic previously worked on for bladder cancer.
“It brought home exactly why we do what we do. Even on the tough days, you remember that the work here is improving lives.”
Guiding growth beyond the workplace
Kimberley’s commitment to bringing people together doesn’t stop at work. A volunteer athletics coach twice a week, she helps athletes, including her own son, develop their skills and confidence. She sees parallels between coaching on the track and leading in the workplace: both are about unlocking potential and celebrating progress.
“We have so much knowledge and goodwill here at QIAGEN. When we share it, support each other and stay connected, we can do incredible things.”
For Kimberley, science and community go hand in hand. At QIAGEN, she makes community possible.