Recognizing This Year’s Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Luminaries and Rising Stars

HBA Luminary

What is your role?

I lead the dynamic and amazing legal team for North America, Alliance Management, and Global Specialty Care teams. Our teams provide strategic legal advice and support to our business partners across these areas of the value chain.

Is there someone who has made a significant impact on your professional life?

When I started my career as an in-house lawyer, I never had any intention of moving into a business role. I was fortunate enough, though, to have a mentor on the business side who not only saw potential in me that I didn't see in myself, but also pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone even after I expressed reluctance to do so. It had an indelible impact on my career and I'm so grateful for it, but it's also really inspired me to pay it forward to those I mentor now.

Is there a Sanofi benefit or resource you’ve found helps advance women?

I have the incredible privilege of serving as one of the executive sponsors for Women Inspiring Sanofi Excellence (WISE), an employee resource group (ERG) that helps the future leaders of Sanofi develop skills and tools to grow professionally. It's such an incredible organization filled with amazing female leaders and male allies who do that important work on top of their very busy day jobs. I'm so grateful to them for their contributions and the ways that they work to make their corner of Sanofi a better and brighter place.

What is the best leadership advice you’ve received in your career?

Two things: If you're not a little bit uncomfortable and stretched on a regular basis in your job, then you're too comfortable and it's time to move on to something bigger. And secondly, although it's maybe a bit trite: run your own race – you have to lead and work in a way that's true to who YOU ARE.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Don't overthink it.

I spent way too much time early in my career thinking about what potential future career scenarios might look like, and reality ended up looking nothing like any of the plans I'd laid out, but it was way more fun. Do the things that will stretch you and put you in proximity to people who inspire and challenge you, and in whatever role you're in, be the person that runs towards the problems and the rest will work itself out.

What does it mean to you to be named an HBA Luminary?

I am incredibly grateful to all the mentors and sponsors who shaped the leader I am today – I stand on their shoulders. I'm incredibly humbled by the honor and I have a renewed commitment to continue to pay it forward.

HBA Luminary

What is your role?

I’m responsible for the financial strategy, execution, and performance of the Specialty Care business and North America Region. I oversee our financial functions and capabilities, maintaining a high level of integrity and transparency. I’m also responsible for the people development and culture of our North America One Finance team.

Is there someone who has made a significant impact on your professional life?

My daughter, Laura, has been an extraordinary source of inspiration for me to lead by example. She is pursuing a career in STEM, and she inspires me to actively contribute to the creation of a better future for her and future generations of women. In a world where gender bias still lurks in various forms, I am reminded daily of the importance of championing equality and empowerment.

Is there a Sanofi benefit or resource you’ve found helps advance women?

ERGs provide wonderful resources for employees to feel empowered, supported, and inspired to take the next step in their careers. I am an Executive Sponsor of the Hispanic Latino Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA) ERG and, I also established the Women Leading in Finance group which provides support and empowerment for women and allies working in finance.

What is the best leadership advice you’ve received in your career?

“When do you think you will be ready to be a CFO?” Until that day, that vision never crossed my mind, I never thought I could. 

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

“Yes, you can, why not?”

When in doubt always ask yourself why not? Set your vision, constantly remind yourself of it, and share that with others. The path might not be a straight line, but that will keep you focused to achieve your aspirations. And as you progress your career, never forget to pay it forward.

What does it mean to you to be named an HBA Luminary?

I am humbled and honored to receive this award. One of my most impactful role models I have had in my career was a HBA Luminary recipient in 2020. Sharing this award with her and so many other extraordinary women is a great honor. This also comes with great responsibility to continue to further advance and impact the future of women in the workplace and our society.

HBA Rising Star

What is your role?

I’m responsible for Manufacturing Operational performance in delivering timely supply for one of our flu vaccines.

Is there someone who has made a significant impact on your professional life?

My mother. She has always been my role model and bestowed on me the value of education and hard work.

Is there a Sanofi benefit or resource you’ve particularly found helps advance women?

This honor has me interested in finding additional opportunities and benefits within Sanofi; however, I am part of the external group ‘Women in Manufacturing’ which is a national association dedicated to supporting, promoting, and inspiring women in all manufacturing job functions.

What is the best leadership advice you’ve received in your career?

I always remember two things. First is to always be open minded to feedback, opinions, and new ideas. The second is to know when to practice the art of speaking last.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

First and most important, make yourself a priority. In addition, balance your work and personal lives – strive to practice self-management in both areas.

What does it mean to you to be named an HBA Rising Star?

It’s such an honor to be recognized and to represent our vaccines franchise. I’m humbled by the recognition which has given me an opportunity to reflect on my accomplishments and identify opportunities to help advance the next generation of women leaders.