When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I have always liked art. Throughout my life, my parents gave me art supplies and art lessons for my birthdays and Christmas rather than toys or dolls. I thought I wanted to be an art teacher, as this was the closest profession I had seen where art was created and enjoyed. With a business major, journalism minor and MBA, I have been able to realize my joy of creating new things every day in my professional career. Finding fresh approaches to communicating complex business issues and policies is more of an art than a science, so I feel like an artist every day. In my free time, I paint pictures of other people’s dogs to bring joy to others.

What would you do if you didn’t work in healthcare?

I suppose I would enjoy any career as long as I could be creative. I like my boss, I have an impact on other people’s lives and I have fun. Healthcare makes it all the sweeter.

What do you like most about working in healthcare marketing?

Healthcare is a purpose-driven industry and profession. Everyone in this field is passionate about what they do and why they do it. The marketing profession pushes you to think like the customer, to create ideas and messages that reach your audience, you are immediately rewarded or punished for great or poor marketing — and this will never be boring.

What frustrates you most about working in healthcare marketing?

I am frustrated that healthcare is lumped into one category. It is difficult to differentiate when polarizing opinions on pharmaceutical companies are shared by individuals who are also caring for loved ones with access to the highest quality and efficacious medicines. As a spokesperson for the generics industry, I continue to spotlight the role generics and biosimilars play in our healthcare system and in our lives — from reducing out-of-pocket costs and driving increased access to critical medicines for patients, to promoting sustainability and spurring innovation.

Who was your mentor? What made her or him an effective mentor?

I’d like to spotlight MaryLynn Carver, hiring manager and coach when I transitioned from agency life to corporate life. She counseled me, she challenged me, she told me when to speed up and when to slow down, she inspired me, she encouraged me. She was a working mom of three, a cool jazz singer and someone who embraced life and made sure those around her were also enjoying what they were doing and growing. I’ve never told her this, and she may be surprised if she ends up reading this here!

What are you doing to mentor others — to send the career ladder back down, so to speak?

I am passionate about mentoring, particularly women. I have mentored many women over the years, formally, informally, scheduled, ad hoc. I lead the Women in Leadership group at my company. I am particularly keen on giving time to college students and new grads when they reach out from LinkedIn, Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association or other. I have been recognized externally for my mentoring efforts, but my inspiration is when I get a “thank-you” from someone whom I had mentored as they share their success since we met.

What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you?

They know I am competitive and an athlete. Maybe what they don’t know is that I have never owned an Apple watch, health monitor or app. I rely on listening to my body, exercising every day, eating well, sleeping and giving my best today because I have no idea what tomorrow may look like. My main goal is to keep the wolf at the door.

What are the three things in your daily workspace that you can’t live without?

Water. Pen. Pad of paper. I’m old school in my to-do lists and taking notes.

What is your favorite book (or TV show, movie, band or song)? What about it resonates strongly with you?

Unfair question. I enjoyed Brene Brown’s Atlas of the Heart and found myself driving under the speed limit when I listened. When I finished [Amor Towles’] The Lincoln Highway, I was compelled to listen to A Gentleman in Moscow — amazing writing! I laughed out loud with Kevin Hart’s I Can’t Make This Up and [Nita Prose’s] The Maid, and I cried with [Ann Pachett’s] The Dutch House. I thought again with [Adam Grant’s] Think Again, and I appreciate my 20-something sons with [Meg Jay’s] The Defining Decade. I have greater compassion for people with Oprah’s What Happened to You and greater love for people with The Bible.

What’s on your to-do list for when you retire?

I try to do these things now, but hopefully will get even better at it:

Be more present for loved ones (no more computer or email!)
Play golf
Volunteer
Paint
Read
…and play with future grandbabies.