Ashley Sicks brings a track record of innovation, leadership and strategic execution to her role as senior director of quality control at Tolmar Inc., leading critical departments including microbiology, chemistry and stability. Her work demands a deep understanding of compliance, investigative analysis, and team management, as well commitment to operational excellence and cross-functional collaboration. She drives improvements in testing protocols and data integrity while promoting employee growth through team development, reflecting her belief that people are the core of every successful organization.
Ms. Sicks holds two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in microbiology from Colorado State University and another in comprehensive human biology from Chadron State College. Her academic training has provided a solid scientific foundation that supports her ability to lead technical teams and navigate complex regulatory environments. She is known for asking the right questions, identifying root causes and fostering collaboration across diverse disciplines to achieve measurable results.
Before assuming her current leadership position, Ms. Sicks was director of chemistry at Tolmar Inc., where she led a transformation of the company’s quality control laboratory. Under her direction, the laboratory saw dramatic improvements, including a reduction in non-value-added work, a sharp decrease in quality events and a significant drop in preventable errors. She also introduced systems for employee recognition and team engagement, which contributed to improved morale and retention.
Ms. Sicks’ earlier positions at Tolmar Inc. include laboratory operations manager, laboratory supervisor, quality control planner and QC analyst. She demonstrated a deep understanding of laboratory operations and regulatory compliance, building a reputation for reliability and forward-thinking leadership. Her consistent advancement within the company reflects both her technical expertise and her ability to lead teams through change and growth.
Before joining Tolmar Inc., Ms. Sicks gained experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries at companies such as Sandoz, Amgen, OPX Biotechnologies Inc. and Energy Laboratories Inc. This diverse background allowed her to refine her analytical skills and gain exposure to a variety of scientific disciplines and quality systems. Each role added to her understanding of the broader industry and helped shape her multifaceted approach to leadership.
Ms. Sicks attributes much of her drive and resilience to the example set by her mother, a single parent who worked full-time while earning a graduate degree. This powerful example instilled in her a strong work ethic and a belief in lifelong learning and perseverance. That mindset has guided her throughout her professional journey and continues to influence how she leads her teams.
In addition to her professional work, Ms. Sicks is involved in charitable causes, including support for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and community outreach through Tolmar Inc. She has been recognized by the company with awards for collaboration and team leadership, underscoring the impact of her contributions.
Looking to the future, Ms. Sicks remains focused on enhancing microbiological processes across her organization, reducing cycle times and further developing leadership talent within her teams. Her goals reflect a continued commitment to innovation, collaboration and sustained excellence in the pharmaceutical industry.