Nominated by Yolanda McLean.

What is the best advice someone has ever given you?

I am highly competitive, and this trait can sometimes have a negative impact on my life. A few years back, someone advised me to “run my own race” and as an athlete, this advice deeply resonated with me. It shifted my perspective on both work and home life. I initially wrote those words on a sticky note, which eventually inspired a painting that now hangs in my office.

This visual reminder helps me stay focused on my own journey and prevents my competitiveness from overshadowing my true self and my life goals.

What advice would you give us?

When you are confident in your values and make decisions that align with them, you won’t stray from your true self or the leader you aspire to be. In 2023, a mentor of mine asked me a pivotal question: “What are your values?” To my embarrassment, I realized I had no clear answer. Through several sessions, we engaged in various exercises that helped me identify my core values.

Now, whenever I face stress or difficult decisions, returning to these core values enables me to stay true to myself and simplifies the decision-making process.

An essential quality to lead…

Throughout my experience working with numerous senior leaders, I have observed that one crucial trait for successful leadership is being genuine and honest. It’s not only vital to be truthful with others but also with oneself, which can often be more challenging. In our fast-evolving technological world, maintaining honesty is more crucial than ever to build trust with those you lead. Trust forms the cornerstone of psychological safety, and without an environment where people feel safe to voice their concerns, leadership can quickly devolve into mere dictatorship.

What book, podcast, YouTube channel or any other type of content do you recommend us…

I recently read the book Ancestral Mindset by John Daniel.The book dives into timeless principles that guided our ancestors and demonstrates how applying these values—such as resilience, self-reliance, and a deeper connection to nature—can improve our mental and physical well-being. I found myself pausing often to reflect on how much we’ve strayed from these core principles and how returning to them could bring balance to my life.

What historical figure would you like to have on your team?

If I could choose any historical figure to have on my team, it would be Nelson Mandela. His life epitomizes my core values of courage, determination, and excellence. Mandela’s fearless fight against apartheid, his unwavering resolve during 27 years of imprisonment, and his pursuit of excellence in leading South Africa towards reconciliation and equality have continuously inspired me throughout my career. He is someone I would have loved to learn from today.

Have you always been clear about your professional objective?

Since I was a child, I was always asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” In my professional life, the question has become, “Where do you want to go in your career or what role do you see yourself ending your career in?” My honest answer has always been, “I don’t know.”.

My professional objectives have always been to learn, grow as an individual, and make an impact on others. I have been very fortunate that Takeda has surrounded me with some of the best leaders in the industry, and the learnings from my professional work have shaped who I am as a person far beyond the office walls. In short, I have been clear on my objective of wanting to grow and make an impact but have not always known how I would achieve that. To be honest, I don’t want to be clear on the how because it would limit my thinking about what comes next.

What is the most curious app you have on your mobile?

I have two small kids who love asking me questions that I don’t always have the answers to, so I keep the Wolfram Alpha app on my phone to provide detailed scientific facts at my fingertips. Fortunately, they don’t have phones yet, so for now, I still have all the answers.

What do people assume about you, and that isn’t true?

I am an open and authentic person. Truthfully, I don’t think there are many misconceptions about me.

What do you think will be the next revolution in your sector/industry?

The next revolution in the pharmaceutical industry will likely be driven by advancements in personalized medicine and artificial intelligence (AI). Personalized medicine will tailor treatments to individual patients based on their genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment, resulting in more effective and targeted therapies. AI and machine learning will play a crucial role in drug discovery, optimizing clinical trials, and predicting patient outcomes, significantly reducing the time and cost of bringing new drugs to market. I hope these innovations will enhance treatment efficacy and improve patient care.

What do you admire and do not tolerate in a person?

I have a deep admiration for curious individuals, especially those who strive to understand rather than make judgments. I have little tolerance for unkindness, a topic I frequently discuss with my children. One book we reference often is “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” which illustrates that everyone carries an invisible bucket. Acts of kindness fill both their bucket and yours, whereas unkind actions deplete both. This principle is central to how I am raising my children and how I coach my teams, focusing on the impact of their actions on others and their own happiness.

Which three top managers would you like to nominate?

Kristy Yates, Sr. Quality Control Manager – Microbiology, at Takeda.

Paul Hanson, Head (VP) – Life Cycle Management, Innovation, and Strategy at Takeda.

Jennifer Clark, Vice President, Sponsorship & Sales for the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce.