Real Time with WLP Women Leaders in Pharma

Real Time with WLP’s 31st episode features Kim Ferras, Senior Biopharmaceutical Representative at Amgen, speaking to the importance of Self-investment:  How to make Physical Fitness a Sustainable Priority.

 

With over 20 years’ experience, Kim, speaks frankly with Virginia Fairbanks, Mental Health Specialist, Lundbeck, on how health and fitness can play a vital role in humanizing the workplace, and can lead to career growth and improving overall business results.  Kim shares her philosophy of making physical fitness achievable and sustainable within one’s personal and professional life. 

This month’s podcast features Dyisha Reliford, VP, DEI Strategic Initiatives with Cencora, sharing why health equity is such an important topic that is re-emerging within our industry for our 30th episode of Real Time with WLP.

In this podcast, Dyisha speaks with Angelina Braithwaite, Director, Strategic Client Engagement at Brunel where she shares her own personal journey and how it shaped her professional role in DEI and health based initiatives. Dyisha’s perspective is an opportunity for reflection on how leaders at all levels can instill change during this authentic and inspiring conversation.

Episode 29’s podcast features Domenico Beneveneto, Vice President of the Canadian Business Unit at MIP, our second male guest in our Real Time with WLP series. In this podcast, Domenico speaks with Jody Franklin, Director, Partnerships & Commercial Sales, CPhA, where he shares his philosophy on how one’s own approach as a leader can create workplace opportunities for women to succeed.  Take time to reflect on how women professionals can more proactively seize opportunities.

About Domenico Benevento

Domenico is a highly accomplished leader with nearly two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and medical consumables industries. Currently serving as the Vice President for the Canadian business unit at MIP, Domenico holds the reins in shaping the strategic direction and overseeing the commercial management of the Canadian division. Known for his customer and stakeholder-centric approach, he brings a distinctive perspective to problem-solving, ensuring that MIP's business aligns seamlessly with the needs of all those involved.

Domenico's journey began as an award-winning sales representative, demonstrating proficiency across diverse disease areas including Cardiology, Cystic Fibrosis, and Oncology. His versatility extends to contributions in sales, marketing, training, commercial operations and fostering collaborations
with government bodies, all aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility through innovative solutions.

Valuing purpose-driven leadership, Domenico's strategic vision is
centered on driving performance and positive outcomes for MIP in Canada. He champions a collaborative, growth-oriented workplace culture, prioritizing the development and well-being of his team while maintaining an unwavering commitment to innovation and performance.

Episode 28 is a special year-end podcast featuring some of our inspiring past guests (Christine Sakdalan, Chris Cummins, Dr. Carol Parker, Vanessa Roknic, Emma Charles, and Dana Singleton).  In this final podcast of 2023, they reflect on what they wish they had known earlier in their careers and share these moments that will inspire you to take pause for your own professional reflection.

This month’s Real Time with WLP podcast episode is with Dana Singleton, Senior Vice President & Sector Lead – Health at Edelman.  In conversation with Jessica Lovett, Dana explores Finding Balance in your Life as a Rule, not a Goal.

She shares her view on the concept of balance, exploring its misconceptions and dynamic nature when managing different aspects of life.  As a woman leader responsible for managing teams, she has practical guidance on achieving personal balance and on how she supports her teams with their own self-investment.  Take a few minutes for yourself & listen to this thought-provoking conversation.


With more than 18 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare areas, Dana is responsible for the strategic development of multi-faceted communications campaigns, senior level client counsel and account direction.  Dana excels at bringing together teams to execute integrated campaigns involving Edelman’s social and digital teams, paid & performance, earned media experts, and insights and analytics. Whether focused on planning, client relations or training, Dana is a team player who enjoys collaborating with colleagues in all sectors and
specialties.



At Edelman, Dana leads accounts for Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme, GSK, AstraZeneca, Merck Canada Inc. Her extensive experience includes work in a diverse number of therapeutic areas including neurology, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, mental health, chronic pain, digestive
health, cardiovascular health and diabetes. Throughout her career, Dana has worked with stakeholder groups including the Eczema Society of Canada, Crohn's and Colitis Canada, PKD Foundation of Canada, Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Arthritis Society. 



On behalf of her clients, she and her teams have been recognized in Canada and internationally with industry awards from the Canadian Public Relations Society, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Canadian Marketing Association. Dana also serves as the Canadian lead for GWEN, Edelman’s Global Women’s Equality Network.

In this episode of Real Time with WLP, Emma Charles, Senior Vice President- Intercontinental Markets, Bristol Myers Squibb and Cindy Woodcock from the WLP Mentoring Committee and Program Lead, Stakeholder Engagement at Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), talk about "The Critical Role of Authenticity as a Mentor".

Emma describes what authenticity means to her and how it contributes to building positive relationships between mentors and mentees. We explore the “What If” approach and its impact on fostering authentic connections.


Emma Charles is Senior Vice President of Intercontinental Markets at Bristol Myers Squibb. In this role, Emma oversees a diverse region, with responsibilities for 70+ markets across the world, including China, Asia, Australia, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, Brazil and the Middle East. Prior to becoming SVP of Intercon, Emma was Vice President, General Manager & Board Member of BMS Italy for over six years.

Before joining BMS, Emma spent more than nine years at Pfizer as Central European, Turkey & Israel Cluster lead, Head of Strategy & Business Development for Europe and Regional Lead of Rare Diseases and Neurosciences for Europe. She was with Janssen in both France and the U.S., leading commercial divisions within their neurosciences business. Emma began her career at Pasteur Merieux (now Sanofi Pasteur) working within their vaccine business as Marketing Manager of South East Asia and Global Brand Manager of Vaccines.

Emma is passionate about accelerating and expanding access of innovative medicines to patients and about fostering employee engagement that thrives on diversity, inclusion and a strong speak-up culture. Her biopharma career spans more than 25 years across commercial, corporate strategy and business development operations. Emma graduated from a leading French business school in Paris, in Marketing & Finance. Emma currently resides in Rome, Italy with her family.