Can you share your journey into a STEM career? What initially drew you to this field, and how did you navigate your pathway into it?

I grew up surrounded by family members and friends who dedicated their life to helping patients and making an impact in the community. My grandfather was a pharmacist, owned a retail pharmacy, and passed on his commitment, compassion and business acumen to my mom and my aunt – my role models who drew me to a career in healthcare. Choosing to take on a STEM pathway was my chance to build on their legacy and help patients get access to life saving treatments and improve healthcare outcomes. I navigated a pathway by exploring the opportunities, inspired by role models and mentors, guided by passion, purpose and the determination to innovate for impact. 

Have you had a mentor or role model who influenced your career trajectory? How important do you think mentorship is for women in STEM?

Having role models and mentors is important in any career, especially STEM to guide you and help prepare for and navigate through challenges, embrace opportunities, and motivate success. I have had many mentors who I have relied on for advice, coaching and advocacy who provided invaluable insights, facilitated immense growth and development and ultimately propelled career advancements. Each has contributed to an enduring and positive influence on my personal and professional journey. 

As a woman in STEM, have you encountered any challenges or barriers along your career path? How did you overcome them?

The challenges I faced were those similar to women in other professions typically dominated by male counterparts. I was often overlooked for leadership roles, challenged by work-life balance, and not provided with equal opportunities. As a role model for other women, I was able to overcome these barriers by continuously challenging the status quo, redefining work-life harmony over balance and advocating for myself and the change I wanted to see.

What are key skills or qualities that you believe have contributed to success in your career? How can aspiring professionals develop these skills?

The healthcare landscape, personal and professional circumstances, and the world itself is constantly changing and ever evolving. Agility and resiliency, while maintaining compassion, have been key drivers to my success. Aspiring professionals can seek to gain the skillsets through continuous development, accepting and learning from mistakes, taking chances, and surrounding myself with those that inspire positive change.

What advice would you give to young women who are aspiring to pursue careers in STEM fields?

Explore the opportunities with a ‘nothing is impossible, can do’ mindset, letting the moments in life define you, not derail you. Seek out diverse experiences that build skillsets and create opportunities for advancement, remember why you chose to take the journey within STEM. Surround yourself with a diverse network of people who champion your growth and inspire you to thrive.