MM+M Hall of Femme 2021 honorees announced – Hall of Femme – MM+M – Medical Marketing and Media

Now in its sixth year, the MM+M Hall of Femme honors the luminaries of the industry who have led healthcare marketing through good times and bad. In just the past year, many of these standout leaders have steered their companies through the COVID-19 pandemic. And they dont take their responsibilities for granted: Theyve also helped usher in the next generation of women ready to take the reins. Those Women to Watch are also highlighted here, and all will be honored at the MM+M Hall of Femme virtual event on June 3. Register here.

Women are now leaving the workforce at four times the rate of men. What needs to be done to alleviate this?

This stat indicates that women are losing choice. Between the pay gap issue and domestic inequities at home, we have a sad state of affairs. To reverse this trend, wed need a major cultural reset of expectations for women at home, at work and policies that ensure subsidies for childcare and equal compensation. In the meanwhile, we can all make a difference right now. We can hire women, compensate them equally and provide flexibility for them to better navigate home/work life.

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Who was your mentor and what are you now doing to send the elevator back down?

There were many times in my career when I stumbled. I found out later sometimes much later that the long arm of Kathryn West, a legend in the oncology advocacy world, had reached out to provide silent assistance. Sending the elevator down is critical, but what you do when you see that the elevator is stuck on the way back up may be far more important. While I actively seek to hire women at my company, I also actively monitor their career progression and intervene, where appropriate and necessary, to ensure that stumbles do not become derailers.

What is your golden rule at work?

One of my favorite golden rules is Dont overthink things. Being lighter in our approach and not taking everything so seriously allows for flexibility and fluidity. It allows us to revel in the gray versus being rigid in the black and white.

Women are now leaving the workforce at four times the rate of men. What needs to be done to alleviate this? Who was your mentor and what are you now doing to send the elevator back down?

The pandemics effects on women are extremely concerning. To continue progressing on the gender equality front, we must listen to what women need within the workplace and from their employers, whether thats gender pay parity, childcare assistance, flexible work accommodations or career coaching.

Personally, as a senior leader who is also a woman of color, Im passionate about DEI. Most recently, I became an executive sponsor of Reckitts ERGs, one of which is dedicated to women. Creating change on an individual level is also incredibly powerful, so I carve out time each week to make myself readily available to women and people of color looking for advice, encouragement and feedback.

Who was your mentor and what are you now doing to send the elevator back down?

I have had formal and informal mentors over the years working in pharma. The best mentor I had is a peer who gave me precious advice. He told me to be selfish. Women leaders tend to do it all, they flex and extend themselves to the point they run the risk of burnout. Being selfish means that you allow yourself to identify your needs as a leader and carve out time and resources to meet these needs. I send the elevator back down by serving as a mentor and being a role model within my organization fostering diversity and inclusion.

Women are now leaving the workforce at four times the rate of men. What needs to be done to alleviate this?

Women lift up economies and businesses. Its imperative for companies to adopt a culture of empathy to help stop the burnout and set the tone that women matter to their business. Every company must adjust the norms and expectations that can cause employee stress and burnout. Because we cant afford to lose another single woman to the She-cession.

Women are now leaving the workforce at four times the rate of men. What needs to be done to alleviate this?

First, we need to recognize that the thoughts and considerations of new leaders careers are different than in past generations. Once we can identify these differences, and understand what motivates todays women, we can inspire and energize them to find their voice in the workplace.

What are the first things you plan to do when the pandemic ends?

I became president of Razorfish Health at the pandemics peak, and Im looking forward to meeting colleagues Ive only seen on Zoom and elbow bumping with others I havent seen in ages. And while I never thought Id say I miss OHare, I do miss traveling and cant wait to take my family to visit places the kids have only seen on Netflix.

What is your golden rule at work?

Treat others with dignity and respect, communicate with empathy and most importantly, actively listen.

How have you coped with the unique challenges of the past 12 months?

As both an executive and a mother, I have been in the same position as every woman through the pandemic figuring out how to keep our organization moving forward while I raise my children, maintain my house and turn into a schoolteacher. In between it all, I try to make sure I take a little time for myself along the way whether its going for a run or reading a book or just taking a long, hot bath while listening to a podcast.

One of the big things I learned was to stop demanding so much of myself. I always want to accomplish it all, and this experience taught me that sometimes, its OK to give something 80% if it means I have the resources I need for something else.

Women are now leaving the workforce at four times the rate of men. What needs to be done to alleviate this?

One thing the pandemic taught us is that productivity is enhanced, not reduced by a remote working environment. Companies should also consider additional benefits or financial assistance for childcare.

We need to close the gender pay gap to give families a choice on who fulfills the primary caregiver role, men are great caregivers too!

I am a huge advocate for corporate reentry programs designed to ensure a smooth transition for women going back to work.

What are the first things you plan to do when the pandemic ends?

How have you coped with the unique challenges of the past 12 months?

Running five miles outside, every day, very early in the morning. Even in the frigid cold. Its remarkably clarifying and I feel so self-righteous for the rest of the day!

What is your golden rule at work?

Sleep on it. When faced with a significant decision or conflict at work, I think its important to pause, not make a quick decision and sleep on the decision or reaction. Things always look different the next day with a clear head.

Who was your mentor and what are you now doing to send the elevator back down?

To send the elevator back down, I stay aware of and call out the small biases that guide our everyday decisions. Such as our mental model of what a leader looks like. And more importantly, sounds like. We need to actively re-write those mental models in order to make it equally easy for anyone of any background or identity to succeed in business. The truth is, we have a lot of work to do.

What is your golden rule at work?

I have a few rules I have developed along the way. 1. Be authentic, keep perspective and enjoy the journey. 2. Never let others define your value; you own it and your destiny. 3. When you get there, send the elevator back down.

What is your golden rule at work?

Its important to think big and have a relentlessly positive attitude. I encourage everyone to be persistent and committed to the goals they set for themselves, their team and the organization.

What is your golden rule at work?

I lead with two rules. Never confuse motion with action and the greatest human need is to feel significant. Results and kindness matter equally. I know that not only do you get more flies with honey, but that when people are respected they will harness constructive feedback and improve results. When people are treated with kindness, no matter what the request, they will over-deliver.

How have you coped with the unique challenges of the past 12 months?

Ive tried to be kind to myself as much as possible. Its not always easy, but it is so important. In this world, many of us have been on camera for 8-10 hours a day with few breaks. During off time, I try to enjoy my family more and stress less about the house and the little things that dont matter as much.

Who was your mentor and what are you now doing to send the elevator back down?

One woman who has been a role model to me is my mother, who has easily had a nine-career life as a refugee activist, realtor, restaurant owner, newspaper publisher, local TV producer, two-time Presidential appointee and more. Two mentors in my 20s were Alexandra Morehouse McReynolds, the CMO of Banner Health, and Shelly Porges, founder and managing partner of Beyond the Billion & The Billion Dollar Fund for Women.

What is your golden rule at work?

Be yourself and dont apologize for it. Society can put the burden of shame on those who dont match the ideal image of successful. And yet, our unique stories build critical qualities for success. For me, growing up in poverty taught me creativity, character, resilience and discipline it also made me hungry to strive for more.

We all have our stories; they should be told and they should be embraced.

How have you coped with the unique challenges of the past 12 months?

From a business perspective, Ive never worked harder: I was laser-focused on meeting Snows growth targets and preserving our culture, which it had taken 20 years to build. On a personal level, the pandemic took business travels out of the equation. This opened up a window into self-care: I started to practice Pilates at home and feel a lot stronger, flexible and balanced.

Who was your mentor and what are you doing/have you done to send the elevator back down?

While Ive had many people Ive formally mentored, I also try to make an impact on people in everyday interactions. My hope is that they can take away something from our interaction that will help shape them as a leader. Recently, I had a staffer tell me that I made a huge impact when I replied family comes first to his email about missing a staff meeting due to his daughters recital.

Who was your mentor and what are you now doing to send the elevator back down?

I never really had a mentor in the business world, unfortunately, and many times felt like I had to fight a lot of battles without a blueprint or support. Being in the position where I am now as a leader in the People & Culture space, crafting and shaping our companys policies is one way I can contribute on a daily basis to help ensure that other women have smoother paths climbing the ranks than I did.

Sally AllainHead of JLABS @ Washington, DC Johnson & Johnson Innovation

Hillary BergmanAccount supervisor Wunderman Thompson Health

Jessica BottingDirector, social media Klick Health

Alexandra CharlesVP, account group supervisor The Lynx Group

Amber ChenevertGroup director, strategy & insights; Culture Studio lead VMLY&R

Lindsay DanylakVP Spectrum Science

Genevieve DesmondDirector of brand experience and product marketing Akili Interactive

Michelle EdwardsVP, human resources & operations Heartbeat

Erin FitzgeraldVP, group director, account management Digitas Health

Katrina Sergeev GaryDirector of patient marketing & engagement Argenx

Abenaa (Abby) HayePractice leader, DEI engagement Real Chemistry

Alison LeafSenior program manager Seven Bridges

Elizabeth McSheaDirector, social media CMI Media Group

Lauren MurphyDirector, consumer marketing Biohaven Pharmaceuticals

Katie RamirezVP, digital GCI Health

Kristi Reeves-PenningtonTrelegy consumer marketing director, COPD and asthma GSK

Kara ReheisVP, marketing Daiichi Sankyo

Nikki SidiVP, global strategic marketing, surgical Johnson & Johnson Vision

Takae TakahashiSVP, associate creative director Havas Health & You / Havas Health Plus

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MM+M Hall of Femme 2021 honorees announced - Hall of Femme - MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media