What is the best advice someone has ever given you?
“Be a good person”. That’s what my mom told me a few days before she passed away. At first, this may sound very basic, but it is a powerful reminder that we should not overlook. If you asked twenty people what it means to be “a good person”, chances are you would get different answers. Knowing my mom, she asked me to be kind, to care for others, to focus on doing good and avoid harming people. I try to live up to this principle. What does be a “good person” mean to you?

What advice would you give us?

Be accountable- we should be in the driving seat of our own lives. Don’t blame others. I know sometimes is tempting, but instead, focus on what YOU can do. Ultimately, I think is better to hold yourself accountable rather than blaming others, at least you will be able to do something about it.

An essential quality to lead…

Put people first! In the end, it’s always about people. People management is a broad concept, and a good leader commits time to it. Great leaders ensure direction is communicated and understood, provide clarity, make people development a top priority, coach rather than criticize, hold people accountable, aim high, create passion to win for the organization and customers, take people with them, are open to feedback, and treat people with respect.

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

I am able to find great content on LinkedIn. I follow great leaders with different backgrounds from various industries, covering all sorts of business topics. As for books, I recommend “12 rules for life” by Jordan B. Peterson. I found it provocative and useful. Peterson discusses attitudes to avoid chaos and elaborates on “rules” to approach and make the most out of life.

Have you always been clear about your professional goal?

Not at all. I ended up in Pharma by mere chance and because I needed to get a job. I started working when I was 18 and knew very little about the industry or setting professional goals. After changing jobs a few times, I was fortunate enough to join an organization that gave me opportunities. I have been privileged to work with many leaders and mentors who ultimately shaped who I am as a person. My professional goals have changed and evolved over time. I would say: start early, track your progress, revisit and update your goals, have fun, and enjoy your own professional journey.

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

I think many people assume that I am an extrovert. I have held general management roles for the past 15 years, which is probably why they see me as an outgoing person. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy being around people, but I also need significant time to myself to recharge my batteries.

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

AI. The innovation we can realize with the extraordinary computing power of AI and machine learning is immense. I believe Pharma’s discovery and development is at a pivotal moment, as AI rapidly advances our understanding of disease biology and new modalities. This will lead to greater efficiencies and shorten the time required to achieve future breakthroughs.

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

I respect people with self-awareness who stand for what they believe is good for the team, the business, and society. I admire those who live up to their core values. What makes people extraordinary is the way they think, how they act, and how their actions influence others. On the other hand, I do not tolerate dishonest individuals and those who do not show respect for others.

What is the bravest decision you have made in your life?

Living abroad for the very first time, we moved from Mexico City to Zurich in Switzerland. I was scared to death and remember how difficult it was to leave friends, family, and my home country. Since then, it has been a challenging but rewarding and incredible journey. I owe a lot to my family, who have been a great support to me through our seven international moves. We have learned together to embrace change with courage and optimism.

Which top managers would you like to nominate?

Nelson de Franco, Principal Consultant at NFJ Consulting.

David Palacios, Founder and CEO at InvolvCare Innovations LLC.