68TWENTYFOURSEVENBIOPHARMA Issue 3 / October 2025 WOMEN IN SCIENCE Never allow yourself to be discouraged by difficulties or prejudices. Even today, in a world that is increasingly open to women, such situations still exist. I suggest looking at them as a challenge, with the mindset of: “Here I am and I will change your perception”. That has often been my approach, even with a smile, as if to say, “I’m not afraid of comparison”. I also see in today’s younger generations a remarkable dynamism, which is very positive if it is directed toward finding their own path. It should not become an escape from difficulties, but rather an effort to transform those difficulties into opportunities for growth. Clara Usanna: Create a strong network, success in business doesn’t happen in isolation. Networking offers the opportunity to see things from a different angle, exchange ideas, learn from diverse perspectives and find opportunities you might not otherwise find. Embracing continuous learning, stepping into areas that may seem outside your comfort zone. Develop leadership skills and try to have strategic vision, be focused and concrete, think positively, become the point of reference for your partners, colleagues and people you are reporting to. Enjoy your work! Patricia Luhrs: As you begin your career path, I would suggest for anyone to build a strong network and mentorship for learning and career advancement. I believe that first you need to see what position you are applying for and what piques your interest because there are so many great opportunities to choose from. As I mentioned earlier, I stayed within the business side of the industry, so Customer Service was a great start for me. Learn as much as you can and feel good about your career path. Focus on what you want and not what others expect from you. Do not take criticism and negative feedback personally, accept the feedback because it will become valuable to you in the years to come. What career path led you to this prestigious role at PROCOS SpA? Sonia Rasi: My journey at PROCOS began almost 26 years ago, when I joined as a junior accountant. At that time, I had only a few months of prior experience in another company, so I was very young and at the start of my professional life. Some might say I have had a ‘single company’ career, but PROCOS has evolved so much over the years that I never felt I was standing still. At the same time, I was given the opportunity to move across several departments, which made my path extremely dynamic and enriching. After accounting, I moved into the logistics office and, later, during some of the most difficult years, I joined the sales team. These changes were initially driven by company needs, but they became part of my own attitude and way of working. This multi-disciplinary experience gave me a complete picture of an increasingly complex organisation and helped me develop a broad set of skills. With the acquisition of PROCOS by CBC, I returned to finance, but with a much wider perspective. I became deputy head of administration and when the head of administration retired in 2009, it was a natural step for me to take over the role. Later, between 2021 and 2022, I also took on management control responsibilities. Today, I proudly hold the position of Financial Director. Looking back, I can see how every shift – even the most challenging ones—contributed to my growth and prepared me for this role. Who inspired you, as a younger woman? Clara Usanna: I have been dealing as a salesperson in PROCOS for many years and this gave me the opportunity to interact and meet a lot of people and leaders in the pharma industries worldwide and many of them significantly inspired me and helped me to build up a strong background crucial for my work and for my career. I am constantly and daily inspired by my colleagues Managers and Directors, who are openly sharing their ideas, suggestions and knowledge, and supporting my learning and in increasing my skills and my passion for this job. Patricia Luhrs: There were many people who came in and out of my life that I looked up to over the years. One person who stands out to me very much was my first boss, Elizabeth A. Oliver. When I began working in the pharmaceutical industry, she was someone who mentored and coached me to be my ‘professional best’. She was fearless and firm, but equally compassionate and caring. She provided me with guidance about the Generic Product development process and how and where to obtain the correct information. She requested I sit with her in every meeting and through many phone calls, so I would understand the process and demands of the customers and each API manufacturer. Today, she has remained in this industry, current working as VicePresident Business Development at Primera Analytical Solutions Corp. with offices located in Cranbury and Princeton, both in New Jersey. We continue to stay in touch to this day as Elizabeth is an amazing person and someone I will always look up to. Of course, thinking back the main person who inspired me was my
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