What was your first job in the industry? Manufacturing supervisor in a pharma plant.
Which companies have you worked for? McNeil Consumer Products (Johnson & Johnson) and GlaxoSmithKline.
What is the best advice you have received that has helped your career? Don't be afraid to ask questions and always come with possible solutions.
Why did you decide to work in this industry? I wanted to be a doctor but didn’t see how I could afford it. This industry keeps me close to healthcare/medicine and helping people.
What has been your most challenging opportunity? Being seen as a leader. I was always considered a “good” worker. I had to make sure that my efforts and accomplishments were also understood as being those of a “leader” as well.
What advice would you give a young person considering this industry? Understand this is a very competitive environment where you will need to be persistent and seek mentors to help navigate the process of setting up informational meetings that lead to opportunities.
How is your career different than what you envisioned when you started? It has been more rewarding than I ever thought possible, extremely complex, very high paced, full of experiences.
Where did you go to school and what is your educational background? Drexel University, BS in Engineering. LaSalle University, MBA Marketing.
What has been the biggest thrill of your career? Being on a launch team and real crisis management.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of the industry's focus on diversity initiatives? The benefits related to multicultural initiatives are huge as the disparities in healthcare are widely known. Unfortunately, this area is seldom funded to make a difference and typically first to be eliminated when funding is tight.
