Ann Ehler
Ann Ehler is a highly accomplished sales and leadership professional with a proven track record of success in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Currently a Specialty Account Manager at Axsome Therapeutics, Ann leverages her expertise to educate healthcare professionals on a central nervous system product. Ann has made immediate impact in the newly expanded territory, which is evident as she is currently ranked in the top 10% of sales.
With over a decade of experience at Smith+Nephew, where she held roles including District Manager, Executive Sales Manager, and National Field Sales Trainer. Ann earned 2 Presidents Club awards and a National Team Work award. Her leadership has also been instrumental in mentoring and training sales managers, consistently driving team and organizational success.
When Ann transitioned from education, she won her first Presidents Club with Allergan Pharmaceuticals.
Known for her solutions-focused mindset, meticulous attention to detail, and collaborative spirit, Ann is passionate about excellence and driven to foster professional development and increase market share in her field.
• National Board Teaching Certification
• The University of Iowa- B.S.
• Nova Southeastern University- M.S.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to working hard, possessing an unwavering will to succeed, and maintaining the “day in and day out” grind that is needed to reach the top. This is demonstrated by the multiple “President Club” wins and current ranking in the top 10% with the present company.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my amazing mentor, Molly Samples. Molly was my District Manager with Smith and Nephew, and currently serves as an Area Vice President. As someone who was still new to the industry, I greatly benefited from Molly’s exceptional ability to recognize and develop potential. Through her leadership and mentorship, I gained strong skills in business acumen, negotiation and influential communication. Thus transforming me quickly into a valuable contributor in the field. Molly consistently led by example, and I had the privilege of learning from one of the best.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is that you can achieve anything with hard work and persistence. I recommend reading Mel Robbins’ book: “The Let Them Theory.” This book taught me that when you learn to stop wasting time on what others think or do and focus on taking responsibility for your own actions and the things that you can control, along with a consistent work ethic, and a desire to achieve, a person can soar!
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the ability to remain composed under intense pressure, particularly when navigating high stakes or controversial conversations. Maintaining calm in these these moments is essential, as it allows for thoughtful decision-making and the ability to guide clients towards the most effective strategic solutions.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are spending quality time with my family—my husband, son, and our 7-month-old German Shepherd, Siegfried—while maintaining a positive work-life balance, a strong drive, and consistent commitment to win.