Her Story
About Tabitha
Tabitha Simonds serves as a DP Compliance Specialist at Pfizer, working in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and focusing on compliance, quality, and patient safety. Based in Paw Paw, Michigan, she has spent approximately four and a half years with Pfizer and currently oversees compliance activities across drug product manufacturing departments encompassing 15 areas and more than 300 colleagues. Her responsibilities include ensuring that documentation and manufacturing processes meet regulatory requirements, conducting audits and pre-audit walkthroughs, delivering training, confirming that standard operating procedures (SOPs) and on-the-job training (OJT) align with established requirements, and verifying that colleagues consistently follow approved protocols.
Prior to joining Pfizer, Simonds worked at Eurofins, where she was involved in laboratory testing of food products intended for both human and animal consumption, with a focus on identifying allergens and bacteria. Her professional approach is grounded in conscientiousness, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to quality. She believes that maintaining the highest standards in pharmaceutical manufacturing is about far more than meeting federal regulations; it is about protecting patients and ensuring that the products they rely on are safe, effective, and produced with the utmost care. This patient-centered perspective continues to drive her dedication to compliance and operational excellence.
Simonds also believes strongly in continuous growth and encourages young women entering the industry to remain confident, learn from experienced professionals, and view every career experience as an opportunity to develop new skills. She embraces the idea that career paths do not always follow a straight line and that moving in different directions can provide valuable experiences that ultimately lead to long-term success. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Simonds is committed to giving back to her community through 12 Loaves and Fishes, where she donates excess produce from her large garden to help provide fresh food to families in need. Her commitment to quality, patient safety, professional development, and community service reflects a career guided by purpose, integrity, and compassion.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tabitha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being a highly conscientious professional who understands the profound responsibility that comes with working in industries that directly impact the safety and lives of patients and customers. I am deeply committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and ensuring that products are produced with the utmost care, precision, and integrity. While regulatory requirements are important, my motivation goes beyond compliance; I am driven by the knowledge that the quality of these products can directly affect a person’s health, well-being, and even their life. Knowing that patients and their families depend on these products gives me a strong sense of purpose and motivates me to continually strive for excellence.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to build a well-rounded career by embracing opportunities that allow me to grow, learn, and take on new challenges rather than following a single, predictable path. I believe in being proactive, continuously developing my skills, and understanding the broader impact of my work, particularly when it comes to quality, compliance, and patient safety. At the same time, I have learned the importance of staying connected to the community and using my knowledge and resources to make a positive difference. My career has taught me that success is not simply about professional advancement, but about continually growing, maintaining high standards, and contributing to the well-being of others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to remain confident in themselves and not allow the experience or accomplishments of others to feel intimidating. Instead, view those experiences as opportunities to learn, grow, and develop new skills. Career paths are not always linear, and sometimes moving left or right provides valuable experiences that ultimately help you reach your destination. Stay focused, keep learning, embrace new opportunities, and continue moving forward with confidence.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my professional and personal life are integrity, accountability, conscientiousness, and a strong commitment to quality. I believe in doing things the right way, not simply to meet regulations or expectations, but because the people who depend on our work deserve the highest level of care and safety. In my professional life, I am driven by the responsibility to protect patients and ensure that quality remains at the highest possible standard. Knowing that my work can have a meaningful impact on people’s health and well-being motivates me to approach every responsibility with care, diligence, and purpose.
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