A key to ‘winning’ in today’s market — and other trends pharma leaders are tracking

Each year, the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) meets to honor exemplary leaders having an impact across the life sciences. In addition to naming a Woman of the Year, the nonprofit recognizes a wide array of healthcare pros with two other honors: The HBA Luminary Award and the HBA Rising Star Award.

Last week, we highlighted viewpoints from the this year’s class of Luminaries who shared the “superpowers” that have made them standout leaders. For this second installment of our HBA series, we caught up with some of the 99 senior-level women identified as Rising Stars by their organizations for being high-potential leaders and role models to learn how they’re focusing their talents on some of the industry’s most complex challenges.

Here’s where they’re seeing challenges and opportunities — including a look at why precision health is one of the major ways companies can “win” in today’s market.

Personalized communications

“Nobody wants a one-size-fits-all approach, especially when it comes to someone’s health and wellbeing. Whether it’s a personalized website experience or client email, personalization is the key to long and healthy relationships with customers and colleagues.”

Cali Mangel, associate director, engagement strategy, Calcium USA

Trial diversity

“Patients becoming more involved in owning their healthcare has created huge opportunities for clinical trial technology innovations to reduce patient burden, integrate participation in clinical trials as a healthcare option and allow more diversity.”

Sheetal Telang, vice president, Americas head of therapeutic strategy, therapeutic science and strategy unit, IQVIA

A public health crisis

“The opioid crisis continues to have devastating impacts on our communities. To tackle this public health emergency, we are dedicated to pursuing scientific advancements in testing and deploying innovative technologies. We are committed to delivering answers to healthcare professionals and patients on the journey to recovery.”

Lisa Pfefferle, vice president, laboratory operations, Labcorp Diagnostics

Digital transformation

“One of the biggest trends I am tracking is the implementation of the new industry evolution Pharma 4.0 and how digital transformation and automation will meet extremely complex product portfolios and lifecycles, including implications faced due to increasingly complex regulatory challenges in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.”

Swetha Krishnan, senior director, quality systems compliance, Alkermes

Precision health

“Consumers/patients are looking for more personalized solutions in the context of precision health. We’ve seen an increasing demand to test/assess personal health, and obtain personalized health solutions, e.g. supplements, in the comfort of their own home. Companies that are able to address this trend are winning in the market.”

Ying Zhang, business development and licensing, consumer health, Bayer U.S.

International markets

“My current focus on international markets means that tracking healthcare policy updates, health priorities and infrastructure is critical. Policies and strategies that facilitate expansion of ‘Western’ companies into China, or enable them to do business with local Chinese companies, are particularly interesting because of the huge number of patients who will benefit.”

Caroline Stafford, director, expansion planning, EUR/INT, Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Tackling health equity

“I’m very interested in seeing how organizations continue to evolve their positioning on racial health inequities and gender parity. In the last few years there has been a huge focus on this, and strong commitments were made. I’m looking forward to seeing the continued impact and how this important effort continues to progress and truly transform care for patients of color.”

Shelina Ramnarine, director, health equity community engagement, global community impact, Johnson & Johnson

AI marketing strategies

“Customer-centricity is a top priority for our organization, which is why I actively follow trends in AI-powered omnichannel marketing strategies, such as personalization and predictive analytics. By prioritizing customer needs, we can create meaningful interactions that build trust, foster loyalty, and ultimately deliver solutions more effectively in today’s market.”

Taryn LaPointe, senior manager, customer marketing, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals