Her Story
About Reyna
I grew up in a very Latino family on the west side of St. Paul with parents who were immigrants. I graduated from high school and went to UW River Falls, where I graduated, then started my journey in the financial industry. I did business development for 11 years and worked with a team I loved, but then me and my whole team got laid off. Someone gave me an opportunity in healthcare, and I took it. That unfortunate layoff motivated me because it pushed me to realize that no job is a stable job, and that you have to continue to challenge yourself with each thing that comes your way. I've been at Gillette for about 5 years now, starting as a Provider Relations Liaison and recently promoted to Strategic Accounts Manager about 5 months ago. I work with larger health systems on relationship building to make sure they know how to send families over that need specialized care, ensuring kids get the care they need in a pediatric specialty environment. I also oversee the provider relations team now. Learning everything in this new industry quickly is probably one of the things I'm most proud of - that relationship-building skill set I had transferred over to the healthcare system.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Reyna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think my parents have really helped me to be successful. You know, they came into this country not knowing the culture, not knowing the language, and I always, when I'm having a rough day, I just think if they can go to a different country and raise us kids and be successful, then my day is not so bad. The way I grew up, the way my parents raised me was very hardworking. Nothing is given to you for free, and as a Latina woman, you gotta work even harder sometimes. That work ethic and perspective really keeps me going.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have ever received was, don't take it personal. That's hard as a woman, and I'll tell you that, that's hard. Being a woman, that's very, very hard. But it's important advice that I try to live by.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
When someone says no, don't have that as your final answer. You know, only because it's a no today, it doesn't mean that it's going to be a no tomorrow. I think you have to keep that in mind, because you'll get a lot of no's, but it doesn't mean you should give up, and that's the only answer that you'll get. Keep pushing forward and don't let no be the final answer.
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