Dr. Teri Stokes has worked as a Medical Technologist in hospitals, researches, and central laboratories. Her transition to computers came from troubleshooting systems reporting laboratory results. She joined Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) for a 16-year career focused on pharmaceutical computer solutions. Based in Basel, Switzerland 1990-1995, she developed DEC's computer validation consulting practice for customers across Europe and in Japan with a focus on reality-based compliance to global good practice (GCP, GLP, GMP) regulations.

Teri established her independent global consultancy in 1996 to coach validation teams, audit internal and external system suppliers, and train people on a common-sense approach to system compliance. She has satisfied clients in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. She has written three books and published many journal articles.