Rupal Patel

I attribute my success to the meaning I find in this work. Nearly 20 years in, what has kept me in this industry is knowing that the solutions we build have a direct and tangible impact on patients' lives. Working in rare disease and oncology, I've seen firsthand what it means for a family to finally access a medication they've been searching for, or to receive financial assistance through a foundation program when they had run out of options. Those experiences are a constant reminder of why this work matters. Beyond that, I credit my technical foundation. Starting as a developer gave me a depth of understanding that continues to shape how I approach problem solving and leadership today. And I would be remiss not to acknowledge my team. Execution at scale requires people who are genuinely invested in the mission, and I've been fortunate to work alongside professionals who bring that commitment every day.

The best advice I received early in my career was to stop trying to be good at everything. Pick one thing, go deep, and build real strength in that area before expanding. That stuck with me because it goes against the instinct to do it all, especially when you're ambitious and eager to prove yourself. Over time I've seen firsthand how much more impact you make when you're truly excellent at something rather than spread thin across too many things. Master your craft first, then grow from there.

My advice to younger women entering this field is simple: be confident, be curious, and don't let anyone or anything make you feel like you don't belong. From my own experience and watching other women in leadership, we tend to over-prepare and leave no stone unturned, so trust that preparation. I lead a team of 15, and every single one of them is a man. There are moments where I have to remind myself that I've earned my seat at that table, and so will you. Don't be intimidated by being the only woman in the room. See it as an opportunity to open the door wider for the women coming up behind you.

The biggest challenge I see in this field is one that doesn't get talked about enough: patients who are already facing some of the hardest moments of their lives, whether that's a rare disease diagnosis or a cancer treatment plan, and then having to turn around and navigate a maze of insurance approvals, prior authorizations, financial assistance programs, and pharmacy logistics on top of it all. That gap between a doctor writing a prescription and a patient actually receiving their medication is where so much falls apart. A lot of my work centers on closing that gap through technology, making the systems that connect patients to their specialty medications smarter, faster, and more accessible. When it works, someone gets a life-changing therapy, and that's what keeps me going.

Commitment and impact are at the core of everything I do, both personally and professionally. If I'm putting my time and energy into something, I want to know it's actually moving the needle. That mindset also shapes how I handle mistakes. I own them, learn from them, and move on quickly. There's no value in holding onto something that isn't working, so I'd rather acknowledge it, stop, and use that lesson to do better the next time around. And through all of it, I believe in speaking up. Whether it's a concern, an idea, or a hard truth, staying quiet rarely serves anyone well.