Meet Our 2024 HBA Rising Star
We recently interviewed Samantha Midwinter, Senior Sales Specialist – NeuroHealth, who is this year’s Teva 2024 HBA Rising Star. We asked Samantha to share some more about herself and how the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) has impacted her career. Read her full interview below:
Can you tell us a bit about your career journey within the healthcare industry and how you became involved with the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association?
After college, I began my career as an accountant, serving pharmaceutical clients. However, I realized my passion was with really in the healthcare industry. Three years ago, I took the opportunity to join Teva's US Commercial Sales Operations group. To continue to expand my skills while in that role, I explored various responsibilities through networking and taking on additional projects. Recently, I transitioned to the Sales organization, specifically the NeuroHealth team, where I continue to thrive and grow daily.
During my time at the Parsippany home office, I sought opportunities to connect with women across the organization. Joining the Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) proved to be a transformative decision as it enabled me to interact with extraordinary women from diverse roles and levels within Teva. Additionally, I became an ambassador for the group. This experience led me to join the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, which has been invaluable for my career development, both within and beyond Teva.
This year, Teva's theme for International Women's Day had a focus on how diverse teams can innovate and outperform. In your experience, how have you seen diversity within the teams you've been a part of contribute to innovation and overall success?
Diverse teams spark creativity and learning. In my current role, I collaborate with colleagues from varied backgrounds, enriching our environment with diverse perspectives. This allows us to experiment with different approaches and continuously improve. As someone who is earlier in their career, I benefit from the freedom to ask questions and receive swift feedback for growth.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women who are aspiring to advance their careers?
Find your tribe. Start to seek out mentors and peers whom you whole-heartedly trust to give you candid feedback and push you to reach your full potential. Keep in mind that these people don’t necessarily need to have the exact career path or experiences you’re looking to have and it is better if they are professionally diverse. My tribe is a set of people I am constantly checking in with and seeking their opinion on both my short-term and long-term career goals. They are people I admire and respect, and they continue to be an integral part of my career journey.
Define a great leader—What are three traits you think great leaders possess?
Leadership hinges on three key qualities: resilience, empathy, and authenticity.
Resilience is essential for bouncing back from tough challenges, emerging stronger each time.
Empathy fosters trust and cooperation by allowing leaders to understand and connect with their team's emotions and experiences, tailoring their approach accordingly.
Authenticity inspires others to be their best selves, creating a culture of openness and empowerment where individuals embrace their uniqueness and strengths.
What is one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of female leaders?
Put yourself in a position to create opportunities, don’t just wait for them to be offered. When starting in a role, stay curious and continuously seek to expand your knowledge and skills. Networking with a range of people can also open doors, so invest time in building meaningful relationships both inside and outside of your daily circles. Be adaptable, open-minded, and willing to embrace change. Having a balance of these qualities will eventually attract opportunities, especially if you’re willing to ask for them.
