In this episode of Women Leadership Reframe, we sit down with Tanja Powers, a seasoned executive with 30 years of experience in the Pharma and BioTech industries. Tanja shares her journey from corporate leadership to a fulfilling portfolio career, offering valuable insights on redefining success, overcoming challenges, and creating impact in new ways.
Tanja's approach to leadership and personal growth focuses on self-awareness, continuous learning, and embracing new opportunities. In this episode, she offers valuable lessons for both aspiring leaders and those considering a transition to a portfolio career.
Tune in to this episode for an inspiring conversation on authentic leadership, overcoming career hurdles, and finding new ways to make a difference.
## Episode Highlights:
- (02:15) Challenges faced by women in pharma and biotech, including being the only woman in the room early in career
- (05:30) The importance of female mentors throughout your career and bringing your whole self to work
- (09:45) Qualities of admirable leaders: vulnerability, humility, and the ability to truly listen for understanding
- (14:20) Balancing responsibility with decision-making authority in leadership roles
- (17:35) Tanja's pivotal moment in transitioning from corporate life to a portfolio career
- (22:50) Exploring new opportunities: philanthropy, nonprofits, and giving back to the community
- (27:10) The concept of a portfolio career and redesigning life after corporate success
- (32:40) Tanja's experiments: leadership coaching certification, Encore fellowship, and volunteering in Nepal
- (37:15) Overcoming fears and embracing change in career transitions
- (41:30) The importance of rituals in life transitions and letting go of limiting beliefs
- (44:20) Tanja's vision for her legacy and impact on the next generation of leaders
## About Tanja Powers:
Tanja Powers is an executive leadership coach and non-profit board member. She has over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, with significant leadership roles in sales, marketing and access. In her most recent role at Genentech, she led the U.S. ophthalmology business, launching the blockbuster Vabysmo and managing a +2B P&L. Tanja has led large organizations, significant change initiatives, product launches and commercialization strategies. She spent a significant amount of her career focused on U.S. payers, negotiating product coverage and leading the account and marketing teams responsible for product access. Tanja has direct therapeutic experience in Ophthalmology, Virology, Urology and Gynecology. She is passionate about creating, growing and supporting high functioning teams and is known for her empowering approach and ability to collaborate across complex organizations. Tanja holds an undergraduate degree in journalism, an MBA and is a Hudson certified leadership coach. She is an active member of SV2 and a board member with Gateway Mountain Center.
## Key Quotes:
“I would tell my younger self, and also whisper in her ear, that your voice is important. Trust your gut and speak up because your perspective is important. That's why it's there.”
“I really appreciated having someone in my corner that I could go to with, ‘Hey, this just happened and it's not feeling right, or I don't know that I handled it correctly.’ I could really trust her feedback, and that was that was invaluable.” -on the importance of her first female mentor
“Magic really happens when you can bring your whole self to work. And I know that's a little bit cliche and sometimes overused, but when you can be yourself and you feel safe and you can speak up or have a differing opinion, I think it brings a whole new level of engagement and a better level of...
