Meet María-Pía Orihuela, General Manager at Roche Ecuador, she is the Health Committee Chair at the American Chamber of Commerce in Ecuador, during the last ten years she has been a promoter of high-impact initiatives towards women’s self-care in collaboration with several public and private stakeholders in Latin America.
“The definition of success is very personal. In my opinion, it is important to do what you are passionate about, what you like and what fulfills your personal purpose. At the same time being bold to pursue your highest dreams knowing that the path will not always be paved but full of learnings”.
Who is María-Pía? Define yourself.
María Pia is a woman, who loves being a mother. She is also a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend, who dreams about the possibility of being a better person every day and about the possibility of making a change for a better world. I am also an engineer with the soul of a psychologist living inside myself. I love my dogs and the blessing of the nature that surrounds me.
How were you as a kid?
I am the oldest daughter of five. I was an introverted and extremely sensitive girl whose dream was serving others, traveling, and flying high. I wanted to become an air hostess; it is funny now how things relate. Later as a teenager I discovered myself loving physics, geometry and algebra and very soon decided that I wanted to become an engineer which was somewhat yet strange for women.
You Graduated as an Industrial Engineer at Universidad de Lima, you hold an MBA at Quantic School of Business and Technology, and you have post-graduate studies from MIT Sloan University, Public Health Institute (Mexico), INSEAD Singapore, ESAN University (Lima), Montevideo University, Universidad de Los Andes (Bogotá). Why did you choose those courses of study?
Throughout my career in the pharmaceutical industry I understood that several and different stakeholders are key to improving healthcare. Very soon I became engaged to the most important stakeholder, the patients we serve. How could I help them to get faster access to solutions that could change their health outcomes, making a difference between life and death? Which made a perfect match with the Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá) course on Design Thinking & Customer Centric Innovation. Later, understanding that the healthcare systems are responsible for providing coverage while at the same time remaining sustainable, I decided to better understand healthcare sustainability from the inside at the Public Health Institute in México. Other interesting courses throughout my career have been focused on marketing, value creation and leadership. That core inner value of service that I discovered in my early years remains with me and guides me to continue preparing myself to serve and support for a better world.
You have more than 20 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry. You started your Pharma professional experience in Perú where you developed a marketing career complemented afterward with several international roles across Latin America. During your international career, you assumed responsibility roles for different countries such as Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, and Region LATAM (Chicago, IL based). You were recognized as one of the best-valued business leaders in Ecuador by Merco (Corporate Reputation Business Monitor). What´s the recipe for your success?
There is no magic or unique recipe, pathways can be different, and all are valid. Furthermore, the definition of success is very personal. In my opinion, it is important to do what you are passionate about, what you like and what fulfills your personal purpose. At the same time being bold to pursue your highest dreams knowing that the path will not always be paved but full of learnings. Always believe in the power you have within yourself. It is a creative power and capable of everything you desire. Being a good human being, fulfilled and happy, is undoubtedly the most important thing in life.
Do you have any particular philosophy that guides your career decisions?
My career decisions are driven by the alignment with my personal purpose, and by the dream of generating a greater impact on people's lives.
What are the things that make you prouder to be part of Roche?
I feel very proud that at Roche we are focused on purpose driven, which is very authentic, and we live it every day throughout the organization. This purpose allows us to really change the lives of patients and their families, with our innovation we can change the natural course of different diseases such as cancer, hemophilia, spinal muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, etc. Finally, I am also proud of the diversity and inclusion that we live at Roche. For example, at Roche Ecuador we have collaborators of 10 nationalities, different genders, religions, generations, and preferences. All together we seek to change lives.
As a member of the C-suite of Roche, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else does?
Always being curious, having a continuous learning mindset. Not being afraid of doing, knowing that perfection is not the way but learning from mistakes and adjusting fast.
Your leadership positively impacts diversity, healthcare, and female empowerment. During the last ten years you have been a promoter of high-impact initiatives toward women’s self-care in collaboration with several public and private stakeholders in Latin America and you have been the spokesperson and leader of the “Decide Por Ti” initiative, which aims to empower women in their healthcare, you launched together with the Ñañas Women's Soccer Club and the Ministry of Sports in Ecuador, “Decide Por Ti” reached more than 40 million impressions through online, offline and social media, what does it drive you?
Knowing that you can make a change in people's lives, the dream of helping to make a better world. For me, it is always very inspiring to know that you are not alone, that there are many people who want to make a change for a better world. Connecting those purposes develop a greater joint strength where better results and greater impact is possible together.
“It is important to have supporting networks. Family, friends and/or a partner play an important role in accompanying our path, and that is also independent of your gender, we all can and should benefit from this”.
What does a normal workday look like for you?
Highly dynamic; balancing external meetings with internal ones. With some pauses where sharing a coffee with colleagues at the office is a gift. Lots of teamwork and collaboration, leveraging on our Roche networked way of working. In summary, a normal workday for me is very gratifying.
What do you love most about your job? & What is the most difficult part?
I love everyday inspiration of the possibility to make a significant difference in people's lives. However, the most difficult part of this is that there are still many barriers preventing broad healthcare coverage for innovative treatments which makes this a long run race. We know that the latest health technologies can change severe disease prognosis and that reinforces our resilience and perseverance to make a change.
What is one strategy that has helped you to grow on your professional ladder?
Always being curious, having a continuous learning mindset. Not being afraid of doing, knowing that perfection is not the way but learning from mistakes and adjusting fast.
Do you have a book, podcast, or talk that’s had a deep impact on your thinking?
There are several ones. Today I would like to highlight “Grit” by Angela Duckworth, she also has a ted talk about her research and findings. She states that achievement is a result of passion and perseverance, beyond innate talent. For her, grit includes three key components: 1) sustained interest, 2) sustained effort; 3) long-term goals.
“To face the external challenges in a better shape we need to strengthen the inner us. Believe in ourselves, lower our perfectionism and be bold to pursue what we want and what we know we can do”.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I love spending time with my family and pets. Indulging myself enjoying natural sightseeing’s, mountains or beaches and solving puzzles.
Many authors say women can and must strive to have everything – a shining career, a blossoming family life, and a perfectly balanced lifestyle all at once, others point out that– then women are placing unrealistic expectations on themselves if they believe they can have it all, you have two kids and you are married, so according to your experience, what do you think about these statements?
In my opinion, it is biased to believe that there are or should be differences because of our gender or from any other reason. Human beings are unique and different, with all kinds of talents and capabilities, and that is wonderful. We all have the right to live the life we want, the one that fills us up and makes us happy, and it is always possible. Of course, it is important to have supporting networks. Family, friends and/or a partner play an important role in accompanying our path, and that is also independent of your gender, we all can and should benefit from this.
What are your plans for the future?
I like to live every day to its full potential. When thinking about the future I envision myself continuing supporting women, however from a different position. Probably focusing more on vulnerable communities and entrepreneurs.
There is still the glass ceiling for women in the world: Fewer opportunities, jobs underpaid just for that fact of being a woman, etc. Have you experimented with the glass ceiling? If yes, what are the biggest challenges you have faced and how have you overcome them?
Yes, unfortunately, it is still a reality for women around the world. Gender bias exists generating barriers for professional growth. The biggest challenges are both external and internal to us. To face the external challenges in a better shape we need to strengthen the inner us. Believe in ourselves, lower our perfectionism and be bold to pursue what we want and what we know we can do. With this self-confidence and self-awareness, we are better prepared to show our commitment and our capabilities.
What tips, can you give to young girls who want to become like you?
Set goals, clear objectives, to dream and never doubt your potential. With work and perseverance, it is possible to reach what we want.
I think in your position, many people may have the wrong idea of who you are, and what you are (professionally), with this idea in mind, what is being María-Pía and what´s not?
María Pia is a woman, who loves being a mother, a daughter, a sister, and dreams with the possibility of making a change for people around the world.
Maria Pia is not a perfect model, does not have a perfect life and still believe that balance, love, gratitude, and happiness are the way to go.
Who is the woman you admire the most and why?
I admire lots of women, a list would be too long, however I can mention those who serve their countries like Kamala Harris, and those who serve their homes like my mom, I admire all of those who are able to live their purpose to the fullest. I also admire all of my colleagues who live their lives in so many different and real ways.
Name: María-Pía Orihuela
Sector: Pharmaceutical
Company: Roche Ecuador
Designation: General Manager
Country: Ecuador
Social media:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/orihuelamariapia/
