Her Story
About Stacey
I've been in biotech for 28 years, starting back in 1998. At first, I was nervous about sales because I had this impression of salespeople being pushy and obnoxious, and that's not who I am. But once I got into the industry and started meeting people, I quickly learned that I could adapt and use my skills to work with them. It wasn't about being pushy and aggressive, but about understanding what their goals were and what they were trying to achieve, then helping bridge that gap to get them there. It changed my whole perspective. I realized you don't have to be that way to be successful in sales - you just have to be personable and listen. Currently, I work in the rare disease space, focused on hemolytic anemias, calling primarily on hematologists. My strengths include relationship building, account management, and I've successfully launched multiple products in the hematology and oncology space, especially over the past 15 years. I'm super driven, very detail-oriented, and very collaborative. I work regularly with my market development managers and medical science liaisons, constantly discussing different accounts and different patients to help them gain access to medication, which is especially important in rare disease where there aren't a lot of options. I'm a great communicator with strong emotional intelligence, able to understand what my provider or customer is looking for and help them come up with solutions to reach their goals for their patients. I've built relationships with doctors over the years - some I called on 8 or 10 years ago - and I still have their cell phone numbers. They're still there for me when I need help. It's more a marathon versus a sprint.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Stacey
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying true to who I am and doing what's best for my customers. Throughout my career, I've seen people on teams who are looking out for themselves rather than the team doing well, but I've always tried to stick to who I am and do what's best for the provider I'm speaking to. I believe that when you do that, everything else will fall into place. I've always felt that people who work hard and do the right thing are going to be successful no matter what. I don't try to cut corners or find the easy way - I just do what's best. I also think being a good listener is one of the most important things we do every day in this industry. Taking the time to develop relationships has been crucial. I still have cell phone numbers of doctors I called on 8 or 10 years ago, and they're still there for me when I need help. It's more a marathon versus a sprint, and those relationships are ultimately what help you succeed.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I tell young women entering biotech to really dive in and understand their disease state, and if they have competitors in their space, understand their competitors just as well as they understand their own product. For me, it's about being a complete resource for my office, not just knowing my product but knowing what other options are out there for patients. The more knowledge I have, the better I can help put myself in the shoes of the provider when they're trying to make a decision. From a personality perspective, I tell them to be themselves, be genuine, and don't change who they are. I've seen people in this industry where everyone's looking out for themselves rather than the team doing well, but I tell them that whenever they stick to who they are and do what's best for their customer or the provider they're speaking to, everything else will fall into place. Stay in their lane, do what they know is right, because people that work hard and do the right thing are going to be successful no matter what. Don't try to cut corners and find the easy way - just do what's best. Take the time to develop those relationships, because that's ultimately what's going to help you succeed as well. It's more a marathon versus a sprint.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are being detail-oriented, doing things the right way the first time, and taking the time versus rushing through things. I like to complete tasks to the best of my ability. I'm very intentional and focused in everything I do, whether at work or at home. I believe in staying on top of things and not letting yourself fall behind. Time management is key - I live by a list almost every day and do things day by day to stay on top of all the little things so it doesn't become overwhelming. I'm also passionate about being genuine and authentic, not changing who I am to fit in. Leading with integrity is important to me - doing what's right even when it's not the easiest path. And relationships matter deeply to me. I love spending time with my family, my two daughters, and our two dogs. I'm really close with my younger daughter especially, and I'm soaking up every little minute with her before she goes to college.
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