Explore how meaningful business transformation goes beyond systems and processes to fundamentally reshape how organizations think, collaborate, and lead. Discover three key lessons for driving lasting change through people engagement and customer-centric mindsets.
Her Story
About Maria
Maria Fantis is a global pharmaceutical leader with 25 years of experience driving customer experience transformation, strategic marketing, and commercial innovation across the healthcare industry. She currently serves as Customer Experience Transformation Lead, International Markets at AbbVie, where she leads a team of five and focuses on advancing customer-centric strategies, evolving operating models, and shaping the future of healthcare engagement. Throughout her career, Maria has held leadership roles with AbbVie, Allergan, Genzyme, and Actelion, building expertise across neuroscience, specialty care, global marketing, and commercial operations.
Maria’s career journey began in a laboratory environment after earning her science degree, where she developed a strong foundation in scientific research and problem-solving. She later transitioned into pharmaceutical sales, inspired by the opportunity to apply her scientific knowledge in a more collaborative, business-focused setting. Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from Flinders University, marketing education, and an MBA from Macquarie University Graduate School of Business, which she completed later in her career. This combination of science, business, and leadership expertise has enabled her to successfully connect innovation with strategic execution.
As a leader, Maria is passionate about empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and creating meaningful organizational change. In her current role, she supports her team’s growth, contributes to executive-level discussions, and challenges strategies to drive better outcomes for customers and patients. She is particularly focused on how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and new ways of working can transform the pharmaceutical industry. Maria has also completed the Hogan Assessment, gaining valuable insights into her leadership approach, strengths, and interpersonal dynamics. She continues to champion inclusive leadership, innovation, and the advancement of women in healthcare and STEM.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maria
01What do you attribute your success to?
Strong Female Role Models
Growing up in a family that pushed boundaries and celebrated successes - no matter how small
A life full of curiosity
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to “own it.” Those words have encouraged me to take ownership of my work, embrace opportunities to contribute in meaningful ways, and confidently use my voice when driving initiatives forward. This mindset has helped me step outside of my comfort zone, take responsibility for challenges, and approach my career with greater purpose, accountability, and confidence.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to remain curious, stay open-minded, and embrace opportunities with a willingness to learn and grow. I encourage them to say yes more often than no, take ownership of their work, and approach challenges with a creative, solution-oriented mindset. Being curious, thinking outside the box, and having the confidence to explore new ideas are essential qualities that can help build a successful and fulfilling career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunities in my field right now are the new and exciting spaces emerging for women to take on leadership roles within the pharmaceutical industry. As the industry continues to evolve through advancements in artificial intelligence, new operating models, and innovative approaches to healthcare, there are tremendous opportunities to drive meaningful change and shape the future. At the same time, the field faces challenges, including increased scrutiny from governments and administrations, particularly around access, affordability, and the traditional pharmaceutical business model. Navigating these changes will require adaptability, innovation, and strong leadership.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Maria
The lessons I have learned working within business transformation
How Purpose, Mindset, and Human Connection Drive Lasting Organizational Change
Business transformation is not just about changing systems, processes, or structures—it is about changing how we think, collaborate, and lead. Over the past two years, I have been helping transform our Global Customer Experience at AbbVie, and what I have learned is that successful transformation happens when people feel connected to the purpose behind the change.
A strong customer-centric mindset helps create that connection by encouraging us to remain focused on the customer, work with clarity and accountability, and continuously improve how we deliver value. Transformation is not a one-time initiative; it is a way of working that can shape culture and drive performance over time.
Throughout this experience, three lessons stand out to me:
1. Transformation starts with people.
Tools and processes are important, but lasting change comes from engaging people early and helping them understand the "why" behind the transformation.
2. Consistency builds credibility.
Bringing business transformation to life requires reinforcing the same behaviors, expectations, and commitments across teams and functions every day.
3. Small actions create big momentum.
Progress is often built through small, practical changes that, over time, improve how an organization serves its customers and achieves sustainable growth.
Being part of this journey has reinforced my belief that transformation is both strategic and human. When we align around a shared purpose and embrace the right mindset together, we create the conditions for meaningful and lasting impact.
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