Who I’m working for – and why it drives me every day

I grew up in Ft. Smith, Arkansas and, while much of my adult life has been spent on the West and East coasts of the United States, I still consider Arkansas "home."  The lessons, experiences and values instilled in me growing up in this small, southern town have shaped not only my career, but who I am as a person.  Since those early days in Arkansas, my professional journey has traversed a lot of ground - from college in St. Louis, graduate school in California,  small start-ups to larger biotech and pharmaceutical companies.  Today, I'm so fortunate that this journey has led me to a leadership position at Bristol Myers Squibb.

“Who are you working for?” This is one of the first questions new employees are asked when they start at Bristol Myers Squibb. Because, for many of our 30,000 colleagues, their motivation is tied to a loved one who is either waiting for a necessary medicine or has needed one.

The experience of losing my cousin to cancer made me want to effect change for patients – and that has shaped every career choice since. I’m motivated to work each day for her, and for the friends and family members who have been affected by serious diseases.

I believe in the power of science. Throughout my two decades in biopharma, I’ve seen tremendous advancements in how we treat conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS and cardiovascular disease. I now have the privilege of leading BMS as we chase the next generation of transformational medicines in oncology, hematology, neurology, cardiovascular and immunology. 

I believe in equitable access to life-changing medicines. We are relentless about changing outcomes and bringing hope to patients while actively working to pursue healthcare policies that balance today’s affordability with tomorrow’s innovation.

And I believe in the strength of BMS and our incredible teams to define what’s possible. I’ve had the honor of seeing our people thrive in so many ways – from accelerating research and discovery through advanced technologies to running groundbreaking clinical trials and beyond. I’ve even had the pleasure of cycling with them for our Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer charity ride. BMS teams show up at every turn, in all corners of the world and I stand proudly alongside them.

If you're passionate about bold science and the healthcare policy landscape – mixed in with the occasional cycling tips – follow my journey on LinkedIn.