Meet Member
Angelina Habimana
What is the biggest challenge facing women leaders in our industry today and how do you overcome it?
In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges women are facing is multitasking. The balance between our professional life and our personal life is more difficult to achieve than ever before. As a result of these unprecedented times and the transition to working from home, many of us have reorganized our family life and constantly try to find ways to maintain our focus and performance at work, all while wearing multiple hats. The pause during the daily commute no longer exists and it is much harder to carve out time (or activities) to recharge and reenergize.
The reality is that multitasking is a constant and it is so important to make time for the things that bring me joy.
Reading: I have to admit that I am addicted to detective novels and suspense movies however I have recently decided to change my focus to biographical books and documentaries for a little while.
Exercise: I try to find some time for a quick walk to change the scene from my home office and to embrace the benefits of physical activity.
People: I stay connected and involved in different networks and I value my exchanges and learnings with women leaders from our industry, particularly the forums where we can empower each other. But most importantly, leveraging one of the available platforms to stay connected with my family almost daily.
What is the leadership/business framework you use most often to help you lead effectively?
Our workplace is where we spend most of our active life and I believe leaders need to walk the talk by demonstrating the desired values and helping to shape the team environment. For me respect is a value of utmost importance. I embrace authenticity and create a safe space for idea exchanges. If I want to know what my team thinks and how they feel, it will be easier if I am also open about my feelings and my thinking. I try to have a consistent approach with my team by using measurable KPIs, coaching, giving positive feedback as soon as possible and addressing difficult conversations when needed.
What trend in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry does not get enough attention?
Personalised medicine could have an enormous impact on healthcare especially in the current context as it is aiming at predicting, among others, how a patient will respond to a drug. For this endeavor to be successful, we must examine our role as pharma, be clear on our use of data and engage patients along the way.
The pharma industry is deeply committed to developing new drugs to address unmet medical needs. We are delivering drugs more efficiently than ever before through innovation, rapid drug development and more specific targeting at the site of action. During the assessment of a new drug, regulatory authorities want to know which patients will be good responders and which ones will be more vulnerable in terms of safety profile. This is still a question that is not always easy to answer for certain drugs.
We have access to an incredible amount of data related to the genome and the environment, which are both involved and intertwined in the disease we may have. However, translating this data to understand the complexity of life is still a challenge.
Lastly, we need to consider patients. Patients want to proactively manage their own health, be involved in the treatment decisions and often consult the internet before getting the feedback from their treating physician. Personalised medicine could help empower patients to be more proactive and informed about their condition and how to address it.
What is a leader’s role in creating culture?
The role of a leader is important in creating a culture. Having a clear vision and a mission is essential to create a culture in order for the team to have a shared sense of purpose. Therefore, the vision and mission needs to motivate all team members and it is the role of the leader to translate this vision and mission in daily activities. A leader should also set the values that the team will have to refer. Respect, collaboration, performance, leadership, and development are examples of values a leader will want for their team.
What does Black History Month mean to me?
Black History Month is about remembering our collective past and those that had to endure and confront unfairness/injustice. Their story, their suffering and their courage have cleared the path for future black generations. Black History Month is also about the acknowledgement and celebration of our Black talents and the evolution of our beliefs as a society. It is the hope for a better future for a society where we will be more skilled to identify our unconscious bias and how to avoid them. Black History Month is a time where black people from different cultures and origins seize the opportunity to share about their culture and their aspirations.