Sujata Kulkarni
Why did you choose a career in biopharma?
Growing up, I didn’t have the option to pursue medicine due to various reasons, so I had to select a field that aligned with my interests. This is when my journey into advanced science started, and I developed a passion for biotechnology, which eventually guided me onto this career path. I was inspired by the work culture of some biotech companies and the recognition they received in the news and the workshops by such companies. This motivated me to do good in my studies and commit to building a career in this field. Moreover, the biopharma industry is constantly evolving with continuous innovations aimed at treating people battling various diseases. The multidisciplinary nature of biopharma, involving chemistry, biology, engineering, and regulatory affairs working together to bring a product from concept to market, is another attractive aspect. As someone who is now part of the Regulatory Affairs profession, I have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful advancements in health and make a positive impact on society, whether directly or indirectly.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
Being a woman in the pharma industry means being part of a transformative field where one’s contributions can impact global health. Women in pharma are increasingly making significant contributions across all levels, from research and development to leadership positions. There’s a growing sense of community among women in the industry, and I’d feel stronger and more united in our common goal to improve healthcare and help each other grow. For me it would represent not just a career, but a legacy of breaking barriers and pushing boundaries for a better tomorrow. Knowing that my work has the potential to improve global health would provide a sense of fulfillment and pride.
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
What I enjoy about working for Syner-G/Sequoia is the flexibility it provides, allowing me to manage my time more effectively and maintain a healthy work-life balance. I appreciate the comfort of working in my own space, which helps me stay focused and productive. Plus, the ability to avoid long commutes gives me more time to invest in both my personal and professional growth.
I also really value the recognition from management, which provides a sense of pride and satisfaction in my work. It motivates me to continue performing at my best and reinforces that my contributions are truly valued. The combination of recognition and growth makes the experience even more rewarding.
What inspires you?
What inspires me the most is seeing how people overcome challenges and make a positive impact, whether it’s in their personal lives or in the larger world. Stories of resilience, determination, and creativity, especially when they lead to meaningful change, are incredibly motivating. I’m also deeply inspired by individuals who work toward social good.
I’m also inspired by the small, everyday acts of kindness that often go unnoticed. It’s amazing how a simple gesture, whether it’s helping someone in need, offering words of encouragement, or just showing empathy, can have such a profound impact. These acts remind me that change doesn’t always have to come from grand gestures; sometimes it’s the little things that create the most meaningful ripples in the world.
Lyndsey Brumbach
Why did you choose a career in biopharma?
I chose a career in life sciences because I genuinely wanted to make a difference in patient care. Like many people, I’ve witnessed how cancer and chronic diseases have affected my loved ones, and I guess you could say I feel this deep calling to in some way to be one of the “helpers”. I initially thought about going into healthcare, but I started my career in an oncology diagnostics laboratory right after college, and that experience really changed my life.
Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to be a part of some of the most amazing teams dedicated to building products and solutions to improve patient outcomes. Their passion has only ignited a deeper passion within me, and I truly feel like this type of work gives me a sense of purpose bigger than myself and is a big part of my “why”.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
It’s an honor and a privilege to be working as a woman in this industry. I recently read a statistic that young children are now more likely to draw scientists as women, and it absolutely made my day. We’ve come a long way, and while there’s still more progress to be made, I’m really grateful for all the women who have paved the way and for those that have lifted me up throughout my career. I’m also really excited about the advancements and innovation happening in women’s health, and I think prioritization of those initiatives will be a key part of our future progress.
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
I really value the work-life balance and the ability to work remotely. As a working mother of two young children, this flexibility has been really important for me in this season of life. But I think what moves me the most is our mission to help our partners advance human health – this really aligns with that deep calling I mentioned above about somehow being one of the “helpers”.
The impact Syner-G and Sequoia has made in the industry has been nothing short of remarkable, and it’s uplifting to know that so many patients have benefited from the work we’ve accomplished alongside our clients.
What inspires you?
People. I find most people to be incredibly resilient, and I’m always fascinated when I get to hear their stories. I truly believe the power of our stories has the potential to change the world.
Marie Monaghan
Why did you choose a career in biopharma?
I started my journey in life sciences in high school and have always had a deep curiosity and passion in the field. I’m fascinated by the development of treatments for illnesses.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
Women, like all leaders, bring diverse strengths to their teams and the biopharma industry. We tend to be driven by empathy and compassion while supporting others and can truly foster growth and innovation.
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
Team work and camaraderie! I am fortunate to be able to collaborate with compassionate and highly intelligent people every day.
What inspires you?
My mother’s words inspire me. I was raised by a strong hardworking woman who inspired us to keep our head down and keep working at what’s important to us. Today, my brother and I are both in biopharma.
Sarah Threlkeld
Why did you choose a career in biopharma?
I was a chemical engineering major, and through a co-op program was able to experience working at a fuel cell research company, a pharmaceutical company, and a steel mill. As I debated what industry to get into, the challenge and purpose of the work in pharmaceuticals really struck a chord with me.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
To be a woman in this industry is to navigate your power and contributions, and to work hard on boundaries with others. I see my early career interactions within manufacturing and engineering as strengthening my ability to deal with conflict and understand others. No matter the work environment, having a strong team that supports each other through the challenges and finding the right way to set relationships off on the right foot can be extra critical as a woman in the industry. As a leader, I work to protect my team and share my lessons on work boundaries.
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
Consulting work has been an extremely rewarding career, and Sequoia has always had a people first culture that has meant a lot to myself and my team. I like that I can help my clients solve problems, support a team of business analysts and project managers and their growth, and look for new ways to help our clients. The combination of these aspects keeps my work engaging and forward-moving, even if one area lags.
What inspires you?
The women leadership at Sequoia has always been inspiring to me. I find our women leaders to be compassionate, effective, and incredibly smart. Being mentored by women that have gone through similar challenges and overcome them has been a wonderful aspect of this work.
Julia DiFiore
Why did you choose a career in biopharma?
Starting in high school, I became passionate about science and its ability to transform lives. As I was exploring career possibilities throughout college and graduate school, the biopharma industry stood out as a place where I could use my interest in science and unique skill set to contribute to innovative advancements that improve the lives of people around the world. Knowing that my work plays a role in bringing life-changing therapies to those who need them is extremely rewarding.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
Being a woman in this industry is meaningful to me, as it demonstrates the success of those who advocated for change and helped pave the way for greater inclusion in STEM. Thanks to their efforts, more women like me have opportunities to lead, innovate, and shape the future of the biopharma industry. While there is still a lot of progress to be made, I am proud to contribute to this continually evolving industry and to be part of a generation pushing for even more equity and representation.
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
At Syner-G/Sequoia, I appreciate the balance of purpose, collaboration, and flexibility. Everyone fosters an environment where professional growth of individuals is important, teamwork is valued, and work-life balance is truly supported. Having flexibility in the workplace allows me to do my best work and contribute to meaningful projects, while maintaining balance with my personal goals and ambitions.
What inspires you?
I am often inspired by my colleagues and their dedication to doing their best work and mentoring others. I regularly see experienced individuals take the time to mentor and guide junior colleagues, which creates an environment of continuous learning and growth. Everyone’s generosity in sharing knowledge and aiming for excellence motivates me to do the same.
Priya Puthussery Chathoth
Priya Puthussery ChathothWhy did you choose a career in biopharma?
Growing up, the very fact drugs could save lives, intrigued me and Biopharma is at the forefront of scientific innovation. I wanted to contribute to the development of life-saving medications and treatments.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
Being a woman in any industry can be both challenging and rewarding. Women have made significant contributions in the Bio Pharma field and are uniquely positioned to address health issues impacting females around the world.
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
I joined SynerG biopharma when we had a handful of team members and the growth I have seen is significant. Syner-G taught me the values I uphold to this day, and I have been blessed to have great women mentors at Syner-G, who really helped me to be what I am today, and I like to empower other women in the team to experience the same.
What inspires you?
The team culture with kind and positive intentions inspires me the most! I believe in working collaboratively to bring lifesaving treatments to patients.
Polly McMurrin
Why did you choose a career in biopharma?
I am a biomedical scientist, and I want to make products that will directly benefit patients.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
For about 10 years, I was a volunteer for BE WiSE, a community outreach program to engage middle-school and high-school girls in STEM careers. I always enjoy talking to BE WiSE members about all of the different careers in STEM fields. As a woman in the biopharma industry, I wish there was a program like BE WiSE for my younger self. There are scientific researchers who study the mechanisms of disease, scientists working in drug discovery, business leaders who spearhead the effort to make therapies available, and so many more individuals who work to make sure that the products are safe and effective – women in this industry contribute to every step of the way from discovery to delivering therapies to patients in need. My experience with the BE WiSE program gave me the opportunity to speak to my younger self about amazing careers in STEM, the women who contribute to the mission of helping people, and how to advocate for and uplift each other.
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
As a consultant, I enjoy helping others solve problems, which is what I do to support clients. Sequoia’s mission of being the warm blanket for clients and helping clients find solutions is very much aligned with how I find my work purposeful and rewarding. I also believe in the idea of bringing your whole self – your whole perspective – to work; this is your educational, professional, and personal background that allows you to contribute your unique perspective to your work. At Syner-G/Sequoia, I have a supportive community of people who advocate for one another to contribute their perspective to achieve shared goals. In doing so, we support and celebrate a diverse and collaborative community, as well as ideas that come from our unique perspectives. In addition, I have the work/life balance that allows me to be a scientist, a parent, a happy member of my community at work and outside of work – to be my whole self.
What inspires you?
The collaboration between people to innovate, find new solutions, make new therapies, and build cool, new tools/technology to improve people’s lives. Every achievement in this industry happens because there is a team of people behind it.
Katie Winder
Why did you choose a career in biopharma?
My whole life I had wanted a career in the life sciences space where I could help people improve their lives. What that looked like evolved over time, but I felt drawn to the pharmaceutical space. The possibilities are endless in this place where we can address so many health issues and be part of saving lives.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
I am so proud to work beside so many extremely talented women in an industry that directly impacts the lives of so many people that need our help. Because of so many different women before me, I get the privilege to be a leader that can be strong as a woman and make a difference without as much challenge as previous generations faced.
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
I am valued and respected for the work that I do as part of the Syner-G/Sequoia team. When I need support from my teammates, they show up and stand up for me and for what is right. I truly love the extensive wealth of knowledge within the company and I am a better person for being around this team.
What inspires you?
God has blessed my life and my relationship with him and my family is immensely inspiring. I want to be better and do better for it and for the people that I am able to help in this life. I also am inspired by being around people with grit, tenacity, and a love of learning.
Hillary Squires
Why did you choose a career in biopharma?
Biopharma is an exciting field that brings together several fields I have great interest in; biology, medicine, and technology. My work feels meaningful and offers the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking treatments that can improve or save lives.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
I find it empowering to have the opportunity to contribute in an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of a growing community of women who are shaping the future of the industry and paving the way for the next generation of women in STEM fields.
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
I love the flexibility of working for Syner-G, which greatly improves my ability to achieve work-life balance. Each project has unique challenges and offers unique ways to collaborate, so I am always learning something new.
What inspires you?
Curiosity inspires me. In biopharma, innovation and discovery are constant. Curiosity drives me to seek new knowledge, ask questions, and challenge existing boundaries. It is the spark behind my drive to solve complex problems, search for answers, and be a lifelong learner.
Jenae Luellen
Why did you choose a career in biopharma?
Growing up, my mom was a pharmaceutical sales representative who truly believed in the products she sold and the power of biopharma to improve quality of life for patients. She inspired me to analyze the world around me and to take part in something so much bigger than myself. I knew I wanted to have an impact on this world and this career was so appealing because you can make a tangible difference for those around you. It is so rewarding to see a client’s project come to fruition and know that the hard work and dedication poured into these products and devices can truly improve or even save lives.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
Being a woman in this industry is taking part in a greater goal to help those around us and the world in general, one discovery at a time. This industry is so much bigger than one person or one accomplishment. Biopharma is an enormous and diverse network of ingenuity and life changing sciences, and being a small part of that is incredible in itself. Women bring so many valuable attributes to the industry including strength, resilience, creativity, and compassion. Women make up about half of the workforce in the biopharma industry, and I am grateful to work alongside such passionate and hard-working women and my other colleagues in such an inclusive field of science.
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
My colleagues and clients are some of the most inspiring and hard-working individuals I have ever had the pleasure of working with. My management, leadership, and colleagues include incredible women with so much knowledge and ambition. I have never seen a more dedicated workforce and it is so rewarding to take part in so many successful projects. My favorite part of this career is being able to celebrate the accomplishments and milestones with my clients.
What inspires you?
This field is filled with individuals who are willing to push the boundaries of knowledge and progress. There are so many people who work tirelessly to work to make the world a better place and improve the lives of patients across the world and for future generations. Oftentimes, breakthroughs and progress can take numerous years, even decades, and it can be so difficult to persevere despite setbacks. It inspires me to work alongside so many individuals that really exceed limits and defy convention to find solutions every day. The compassion, growth, and ambition I witness daily truly inspires me to continue the work that we do.
Growing up in Colorado and having the opportunity to continue working here has always inspired me and continues to inspire me every day by being surrounded by such breathtaking beauty in nature. I am a huge plant enthusiast and seeing nature persist, thrive and continue to be awe inspiring is a daily reminder of how beautiful life is and how important it is to not only enjoy but respect and protect the life around us.
Liza Lamb
Why did you choose a career in biopharma?
In my senior year of university (1992), I was trying to understand what career opportunities were available for Chemical Engineers coming out of college. Was it going to be in Coatings & Polymers? Food & Beverage? Cosmetics? My Senior Advisor suggested to me that I should consider an “up and coming industry called Biotechnology”. He offered for me to audit one of his Master-level courses that was an Intro to Biotechnology. During that course, we toured Genentech (South San Francisco) and Amgen (Thousand Oaks). I fell in love with the science and medicine being worked on by both companies and was very intrigued by the work being done by people gowned up in cleanrooms. I ended up doing my Senior Project on Transgenics in Farm Animals and then pursued a position with Genentech, where I spent the first 20 years of my career!
What does it mean to you to be a woman in this industry?
It is very humbling to be in this industry in its entirety and even more so to be a woman in a technical leadership role. I have had the honor to work with many of the very best scientific and technically minded professionals throughout my career. As an engineer, I have faced the challenges of being in a historically male-dominated profession. Progressing through my career I always admired the many female engineers, scientists, architects, construction professionals, etc. that I worked with, many of whom provided me with guidance and mentorship. In the span of my career, I have seen how the industry has evolved and accepted women in technical and leadership roles and I am thrilled to be one!
What do you like about working for Syner-G/Sequoia?
I enjoy that the work we do for our clients ultimately serves patients. Knowing that what we do protects and ultimately saves or improves the quality of lives of others energizes me on a daily basis.
On a personal level, I love our culture. In addition to a culture of collaboration and openness, I find that Syner-G/Sequoia has a true focus on our team members and working to keep the work-life balance geared to their individual needs.
What inspires you?
Innovation in medicine and the impact on patient lives is what inspires me. For a very long time, I held a passion around breast cancer and breast cancer research because of a few immediate relations having gone through the journey. Through the years, I have found that there is such a greater need. More recently, experiencing a global pandemic is the latest in reinforcing my passion and inspiration in our field of work. The ability to help out in any way to “take on” the global pandemic is actually what brought me to Sequoia 4 years ago. I haven’t looked back since!