Her Story
About Brenda
My healthcare career spans over 30 years, beginning at Black River Memorial Hospital where I spent 18 years building my foundation in the industry. Today, I serve as the top senior sales associate at SureCost, where I've been for 2 years, specializing in pharmacy software solutions for hospital pharmacies and health systems. I work primarily on the acute care side, helping hospitals with purchasing, inventory management, drug shortage management, and formulary management through our one-stop pharmacy software solution. My typical day involves conducting Zoom demos with hospital teams, prospecting with our business development manager, following up with customers, and onboarding new sales associates. I'm passionate about relationship building and ensuring my customers are happy. Before SureCost, I worked for one of the big three pharmacy wholesalers, including Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen, where I achieved significant recognition. My career highlight was managing a $22 billion account with Express Scripts, a large pharmacy benefit manager, for 7 years at AmerisourceBergen. I'm also a certified pharmacy tech, which gives me deeper insight into the day-to-day challenges my customers face. Throughout my career, I've been passionate about women leadership, serving on women leadership councils and mentoring others in the field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Brenda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being authentic and honest with people. I've always believed in not faking it - I tell my customers that I'm not going to know or have the right answer to every question, even 30 years later. When they ask me something I can't answer, I tell them here's my idea or how I would respond, but I promise to consult with my subject matter experts and follow up. My boss even tells me today, just be Brenda - don't show up as sales Brenda, just be myself, because that's how you connect with people. It's all about relationship building and making sure my customers are happy. I've also been fortunate to have connections guide my career - from a conversation at Country Kitchen that led me to apply at the hospital, to the mentors and leaders I've worked with along the way. I truly feel like the guy upstairs has been watching over and guiding my career path.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received, and what I carry in my heart and tell my customers today, is don't fake it. Be very honest and be authentic. You're not going to know or have the right answer to every question your customers have. Thirty years later, I still get questions I can't answer. I always tell them when they ask me something I don't know - here's my idea or here's how I would respond to that, but I'm going to promise you I'm going to go consult with my subject matter experts, and I promise I'll follow up and get back to you. So don't fake it, be authentic, be yourself. My boss even tells me today, just be Brenda. Don't show up and run my demos as sales Brenda, just be Brenda, because it's how you connect with people.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If I had to do it all over again, I would find a mentor. Whether it's job shadowing them or having a monthly connect call - you know, like that lady Nicole was sharing about yesterday who has done so much. Even in my career stage now, I always try to look for that mentor. I would also say to continue to read sales books, because there isn't one proven sales methodology. Just keep reading, further your education, and learn from the best. You know, just hearing about someone and thinking what hasn't she done - it's about continuing to keep furthering yourself and truly finding a mentor, somebody you connect with that can help guide your career.
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