MEET GRETCHEN SORENSEN
In 25 years of working with clients in Hong Kong, New York, Seattle and Washington, D.C., Gretchen Sorensen has transformed challenging circumstances and unique opportunities into measurable, positive returns. A broad range of leaders in the private and public sectors have called on her creativity, problem solving and organizational skills, including former President Bill Clinton, media pioneer Ted Turner and legendary biotechnology visionary, Dr. Leroy (Lee) Hood.
In 2006, Sorensen launched a consulting practice in biotechnology and high technology, to connect brilliant entrepreneurs effectively with their audiences.
Sorensen’s clients count on her ability to translate the paradigm shifting discoveries of new science and technologies into tangible value for investors, public policy makers and the marketplace. Utilizing private philanthropy, venture capital, government funding sources and strategic partnerships, Sorensen’s expertise and networks enable organizations to achieve their funding potential.
One of her most successful recent partnerships was working with Dr. Leroy Hood, who with his colleagues at Caltech invented the DNA Sequencer which enabled the Human Genome Project. In 2002, Sorensen joined his team at the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), a start-up non-profit research institution in Seattle. Sorensen and Hood created and executed an entrepreneurial strategy for fundraising and external relations. Their initial focus was on message development and a global communications plan to communicate the complex opportunities surrounding systems biology in a clear, compelling manner.
Together, they launched a development program and raised $25 million through private philanthropy focused on high net worth individuals, strategic partnerships and the federal appropriations process. Additionally, Sorensen led the effort to brand the Institute, pioneered the community relations program, and helped propel the Institute into international prominence through earned media and public relations.
Sorensen’s career began on Capitol Hill, working in senior positions on national campaigns, as well as senior legislative and strategy positions in Congress. In 1989, she joined the management team of the Goodwill Games, heading up government affairs and public relations for the event, which featured 2,500 athletes from around the world.
Following the success of the Goodwill Games, Sorensen was recruited by Turner Broadcasting to head up the Asia Pacific Australia corporate communications operation. She served throughout Asia as chief spokesperson and liaison with CNN Bureaus, promoting the corporate brand with print and broadcast media, as well as key government officials. Sorensen also managed public relations for all Turner products including the MGM Library in 14 countries as well as providing oversight for public relations and consultant relationships in the region.
In 1992, Sorensen was asked to co-chair the successful 1992 Clinton/Gore Presidential campaign in Washington State. At the same time, Sorensen worked with area clients, including Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. In 13 months, Sorensen raised $3 million for the Zoo’s capital campaign. Immediately after the election, Sorensen was tapped by the World University Games to direct all aspects of fundraising, public relations and advertising distribution.
Following the Games, Sorensen was appointed by President Clinton to lead the US Small Business Administration in Region X, encompassing Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. As Regional Administrator of this federal economic development agency in the Pacific Northwest, she administered all agency programs which included management of five state offices with approximately 150 personnel, a direct and guaranteed small business loan portfolio of more than $2B, and the SBIR (Small Business Innovation and Research) program of $100K-$2M grants for R&D performed by small firms. During this time she also served as the key liaison between the White House and the region on political and public policy issues and served as advisor for official visits of the President and Vice President of the United States.
In early 2000, Sorensen joined the management team at Onvia, a fast-paced technology company focused in the Business-to-Business (B2B) market. The company’s IPO raised $240 million, and within 18 months it completed five acquisitions, changed strategic direction -- acquiring Business-to-Government (B2G) capability, reduced staffing by 60 percent, diversified its retail products business, and significantly reduced it operating cash burn rate. As Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Gretchen was responsible for all company positioning and messaging and served as company spokesperson. She managed the pre–Initial Public Offering (IPO) media relations and all IPO related activities in New York City, including NASDAQ’s Marketsite event. She served as a member of the investor relations, marketing, and M&A integration teams and represented the company as a primary spokesperson at major events.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, Sorensen received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Evergreen State College and was a Lyndon Baines Johnson scholar. She serves as a member of the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association’s Comprehensive Biosciences Strategy Task Force and the Puget Sound Business Journal’s Women of Influence Advisory Board and is a past trustee of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Currently living in Seattle’s historic Queen Anne neighborhood, Sorensen enjoys travel, entertaining friends, reading thrillers, and walks in the neighborhood. She is married to Seattle Post Intelligencer pop music critic and entertainment writer Gene Stout.