Innovatia

Through this experience I became very interest- ed in training salespeople to be better prepared when they meet with doctors to add more val- ue to the engagement. I pursued further studies in HR, studying human development, learning and communication, and honing these skills as a field-force effectiveness manager. I then moved on to other opportunities in marketing, commer- cial development and executive leadership roles across ANZ, Europe and Asia. When I first entered the workplace, it was overwhelmingly male dominated, particularly in leadership roles, but as I moved through my career this reality has been redefined. I took inspiration from senior managers with leadership capabilities I admired. Throughout my career I actively sought feedback and advice from these leaders which has been invaluable in shaping my own leadership and career journey. I never saw my gender as a reason not to aspire to

new opportunities and challenges. I was as open with my mentors and managers on my aspira- tions as they were on where I added value to the organisation and where I needed to improve. The modern-day pharmaceutical industry boasts a strong representation of women in sen- ior management roles. This is evident in Pfizer’s leadership team, which is 60 per cent female in Australia and 75 per cent female in New Zealand. I am the second female Managing Director for Pfizer ANZ, being fortunate to follow the trailblaz- ing legacy of my predecessor Melissa McGregor, a “The process of solving challenges and fostering innovation begins with diversity in thought and approaches.”

ADDING VALUE WITH SCIENCE Egalitarian yet often complex, science has the ability to directly impact the lives of people in our local community. It is a practitioner’s responsibility to translate scientific knowledge into advice and solutions that have tangible meaning for patients. By Anne Harris S cience has always fascinated me – the beauty of discovery and the process of un- ravelling, analysing and working through a versal purpose to lead through science and fos- ter a better world by improving patient access to quality medicines.

problem. My curiosity led me to major in microbi- ology and biochemistry at university. The rigour of the scientific method, the reliance on facts and independent analysis, and the knowledge that there is always more to learn, were the basis of its intellectual appeal. I did not know what job my degree would lead to, but I trusted that science would open up op- portunities for interesting and engaging work that could make a real difference to people. After graduating from university, I worked at a microbiology laboratory in a teaching hospital. I was impressed with the people who worked in this area, but I soon realised laboratory research was not the right environment for me. When considering job options, I spoke to sev- eral people who worked in the pharmaceutical industry to ask about their experiences, and the perception of “big pharma” as driven purely by a profit motive. I learned that there was a uni-

I came to understand there is value in diverse financial models to translate research into ac- cess to medicines, including those supported by government, not for profit organisations and in- dustry. Taking the time to learn more helped me understand that I could find my place in a com- mercial industry which has a bold vision to im- prove the health and lives of my community and across the world. I started out like many in the innovative med- icines industry, “carrying the bag” as a sales rep and meeting general practitioners to discuss new medicines in chronic disease areas, like cardiovas- cular disease, diabetes and obesity, and visiting hospitals to meet with mental health specialists to discuss their challenges in treating patients with depression. My role enabled me to inform health practitioners about new data, scientific break- throughs, clinical trials and approved medicines that deliver improved health outcomes to patients.

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