Ana Covaski

I think a big part of my success comes from being curious and not waiting to be invited into conversations.Having an interest and a passion in what I do means I'm willing and wanting to participate in conversations that go a little outside my scope sometimes. That mindset has helped me learn faster, build relationships, and create opportunities for myself along the way, which helped me grow and succeed in my career.

The best career advice I've received is that we, as women, have to do what we think is right and stand up for ourselves. We can't let other people make us feel like we're not good enough to do whatever role we're in, or that we don't have the knowledge, assertiveness, or experience that they think we should have. That “negative” can come from others, but also from within, through things like impostor syndrome, and it’s important not to let either define how we see ourselves. At the same time, we need to be humble enough to recognize that no matter how much experience or knowledge we gain, there will always be something new to learn about our work, our market, our skills, and even about ourselves. It’s about knowing your worth while staying open to growth, and aligning yourself with people who believe in you and in the potential you have.

My advice to women entering this industry is to not give up on the first no, or the second, or the third, because there will be many of them. Rejection is part of the process, not a reflection of your potential. Believe in what you do, have a clear direction, and stay connected to what genuinely interests you, because having passion for the work makes all the difference when things get challenging. It’s also important to remember that this industry is full of people who genuinely care. There are incredible women and men who are supportive, who want to see others grow, and who believe in the impact of what we do in healthcare. So keep going. Be passionante, stay curious, and don’t let rejection define your path.

I think one of the biggest challenges in this industry is navigating complex processes and reaching the right people. There are many layers, stakeholders, and moving pieces, which can make it difficult to identify who is responsible for what and how to move things forward efficiently.That said, this also reinforces the importance of building strong relationships with the right stakeholders, while also staying open to connecting with others along the way. Not every interaction leads directly to the immediate objective, but networking is one of the most valuable investments any professional can make, and those connections often become relevant over time.

On the opportunity side, we are moving closer to precision medicine becoming the foundation of healthcare. Being part of this space means having the chance to contribute to how healthcare evolves on a global scale, which is both exciting and meaningful.

The values most important to me are empathy, truly listening to the people around me, and choosing kindness in every situation. I try to be the person I needed at different points in my life, especially for those who are just starting out. Transparency and honesty are also very important to me. I believe trust is built through open and genuine communication.

And above all, I value having passion for what you do. If there is no passion behind it, it’s hard to find meaning in the work. These values guide both how I show up professionally and how I live my personal life.