Sophia Sharp-Donaldson

As the Site Head of Kite Oceanside, Sophia Sharp-Donaldson leads the company’s vertically integrated viral vector commercial manufacturing organization in support of the company’s innovative cell therapies for patients diagnosed with certain indications of blood cancer. Under her stewardship, the facility has received regulatory approvals around the world and expanded its portfolio to manufacture lentiviral vectors in addition to retroviral vectors. Sophia joined Kite in 2019, bringing more than 25 years of experience across the biotech industry where she has held transformational leadership roles spanning small and large molecules as well as autologous and allogeneic cell therapies. Sophia is an advisor to multiple Gilead and Kite employee resource groups and also sponsors Kite’s Oceanside ESG initiatives. She is active in community advocacy through The Links, Inc., San Diego Chapter, where she serves as Chair of an Achiever leadership program for high school boys. Sophia also is a 2022 Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Luminary Award recipient. She holds a master’s degree in information systems from Stevens Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in production management & business administration from the University of Southern Indiana.