Malika Gibbs
Malika Gibbs is a distinguished pharmaceutical industry leader, consultant, and entrepreneur with a career dedicated to advancing innovation, operational excellence, and investment within the life sciences sector. With expertise spanning fundraising, process improvement, and regulatory compliance, she has worked across nearly every facet of the pharmaceutical industry. Early in her career, she served as Director of the Forensic Scientific Institute for two years, where she achieved a remarkable record of zero citations and zero observations from regulatory agencies, including the FDA and FBI. Throughout her work in pharmaceutical manufacturing and scientific leadership, Malika has consistently maintained the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and accountability.
A professional licensed engineer with a master’s degree in chemical engineering, Malika is also a Master Black Belt in Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma, bringing advanced expertise in operational optimization and performance management. Her ability to drive results is exemplified by one of her most notable achievements—raising $15 million for Bristol Myers in just six months. Recognized for her leadership and impact, she was honored as Woman of the Year in Puerto Rico in 2007. In addition to her industry work, Malika serves as a consultant at a School of Medicine where she also teaches courses, sharing her extensive knowledge and experience with the next generation of professionals.
Currently, Malika is pursuing her long-held vision of opening the first woman-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Puerto Rico through her organization, Pharm PR Inc. After more than two decades advocating for this opportunity, she is now meeting with government leaders to present her plans for advancing pharmaceutical innovation and economic growth on the island. Known for her discipline and passion for personal development—including completing the prestigious Dale Carnegie training—Malika begins each day at 4:40 AM, participates in a global motivational call, and balances her professional pursuits with an active lifestyle that includes marathon running and a love for elegant fashion. With a global perspective and unwavering determination, she continues to champion progress for women in science, industry, and leadership.
• Licensed Engineer
• Master Black Belt Six Sigma
• Master Black Belt Lean Six Sigma
• University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez | Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering
• Woman of the Year in Puerto Rico 2007
• Dale Carnegie Gold Principle Award
• Mastermind (Harvard University affiliated global organization)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to passion, focus, and fearlessness. My passion drives me to dedicate myself fully to every project and challenge I take on. Focus allows me to stay committed to my goals, even in the face of obstacles or setbacks. And fearlessness gives me the courage to take bold steps, embrace new opportunities, and persist when others might hesitate. Together, these qualities have shaped my journey and allowed me to achieve the results I’m most proud of.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received came during my very first week on the job. My boss told me to present all the achievements to the president of the company, and I went there with a gown that was really bad, with glasses, and I was very bored. So I decided to take training on that and become another woman. I took the Dale Carnegie training, a 6-month program, and I got the gold principle award. That experience taught me the importance of presentation and confidence, and it transformed me professionally.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be the best in all your areas. Feel happy forever doing whatever you want. Break all the barriers in your mind and start being yourself. Do the things that we should do. Don't let fears hold you back - get them out of your mind. I have been criticized a lot, but I don't mind. If you're being criticized, it just shows you're doing something right.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is that it is male-dominated, and it has been very difficult for a woman to be over a man here in Puerto Rico. I realized this since I was young, which is why I decided to get a master's degree instead of just a bachelor's degree. Even though I have more education than most men, they just pay me the same as them. But I have made a lot more money than them on my own. The opportunity right now is that after 20 years of struggling, men in power are finally allowing us to move forward. They are finally giving me the meetings to present my plan to open the first woman-owned pharmaceutical industry in Puerto Rico.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, integrity, and fearlessness in pursuing my goals. I believe in being truthful and transparent in all my interactions, holding myself accountable, and maintaining a strong moral compass. At the same time, I approach my ambitions with courage and determination, never letting fear hold me back from chasing what I want to achieve. These principles guide every decision I make and shape the way I lead and live.