The mandate: build a commercial organization

CNSide Diagnostics engaged Connexis Search Group on a retained basis to recruit its first Vice President of Sales. The newly created position would lead the development of a commercial sales team for the company’s specialized oncology testing business serving neuro-oncologists.

The challenge: strategy and execution in one leader

The role called for someone who could determine the size of the sales team, define the backgrounds of future hires, and establish an effective sales process. The leader also needed deep oncology experience and relationships that could help open conversations with key accounts and opinion leaders.

CNSide needed an executive who could make those strategic decisions while remaining directly involved in developing the business.

A search grounded in industry relationships

CNSide selected Connexis for its longstanding oncology recruiting experience and knowledge of the industry’s commercial leaders. Kevin Kinsella secured and led the engagement, using Connexis’s industry network to identify candidates suited to the mandate.

The team spoke with chief commercial officers to learn whom they would recommend for the position. Those conversations helped identify leaders with the combination of commercial strategy, team-building experience, and oncology relationships the client needed.

Helping define compensation for a new role

Connexis also worked closely with CNSide’s senior management and human resources team to provide input on a compensation model. Because this was the company’s first VP of Sales position, the engagement included helping the client think through compensation for the new executive role.

The result: an executive appointed to lead the buildout

Over approximately three months, Connexis presented about eight strong candidates for CNSide’s consideration. The selection process narrowed the field to two finalists and culminated in the placement of Samantha Fowlkes as Vice President and Head of Commercial Sales.

Samantha’s background includes senior leadership at Caris Life Sciences and earlier leadership positions at Genoptix Medical Laboratory and Labcorp. CNSide announced her appointment on September 16, 2026, with responsibility for commercial expansion and strengthening relationships across oncology and pathology.

Read CNSide’s public appointment announcement ↗