Her Story
About Rae
Rae Caelo has spent 18 years in the biotech industry. She started her career in a leadership and development program at Johnson and Johnson, beginning as an engineer and rotating through the four sectors in different information technology domains. After a year and a half of rotations, she was placed as a business relationship manager for specialty pharma in internal medicine at Janssen, supporting commercial operations. Caelo holds an MBA in Supply Chain and Global Logistics, a degree from Duke in oncology and pathology, and a certificate in organizational dynamics. She maintains PMP and Smartsheet certifications and is a member of HBA and PMI. She attributes her success to being resourceful and self-training, diversifying her expertise by becoming a subject matter expert in multiple areas before moving on, and keeping her certifications updated to stay relevant. Caelo volunteers her time and professional services to the Alzheimer's organization, the pet community center in Nashville, and the cancer organization in Philadelphia. Her most important values are her family, community, and friends.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rae
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being resourceful and self-training. I stay thorough in multiple areas rather than skimming, becoming an SME in each before moving on. I keep certifications updated like PMPs and Smartsheet to stay relevant across diverse roles.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do a mind map of where you are and where you are going. Jot down interests, look at successful people, get a mentor immediately. Emulate those doing it well. Be confident and apply even if you don't have 95% of requirements, like men do with 50%.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is incorporating AI into our work, understanding when and how to use it appropriately. It's also hard to create immediate value without established trust as a contractor, creating a catch-22 situation post-pandemic with AI disruption.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My family, community, and friends are most important to me.
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