Continuing the celebration of the International Day of Women & Girls in Science and International Women’s Day 2024, we launch our second EmpowHER article spotlighting extraordinary women shaping the landscape of life sciences. In this installment, we highlight the insights and leadership philosophy of Marcia Swank, Vice President of Ophthalmology at TFS HealthScience. Join us as we explore Marcia’s journey, strategies, and the pivotal role of diversity in her leadership, contributing to the narrative of women empowerment in life sciences. 

Interested in reading our first EmpowHER spotlight on Bin Pan? Read here! 

 

Embracing Diversity and Pioneering Innovation in Ophthalmology with Marcia Swank

 

1. What defining moment in your career propelled you into a leadership role, and how has it shaped your approach to leading your business unit?

First, I think of life and career as two very different things. I value them much differently. I chose to think of a career as just that, a career — an accomplishment, a learned trade, a compilation of your time spent on building a trade or skill. A carefully built career is something to be proud of. 

I think life gives us many “defining” moments. The key to it is recognizing them and not taking them for granted. I would challenge people to look back over their life and think deeply. I would bet, that there are many defining moments that led to “defining moments,” as a result of your actions and mindset. I choose to believe that all the good and all the bad moments in life lead a person to the precise moment and place that they are supposed to be. 

Unfortunately, it took a life-threatening experience for me to really stop and approach life and career much differently. A defining moment. Although I was already in a leadership role at that time, it was this life experience that propelled me into being a better leader. It taught me that life is far more than a career, it is about what you do with your time on this planet, how you grow as a person, and how you treat other people. It taught me that life is much bigger than you and everyone else and you can’t “be a lifeguard, if you can’t swim.”

It invoked boundaries for the non-wavering of who I am as a person, just to gain acceptability or permission from others; for the things that I wanted to do or the things that are most important to me. You don’t need acceptance to be great. You don’t need permission to excel or change. That experience propelled me by giving me a fierce determination to go after the things that matter most to me and to help show others that they can do the same. I learned to accept others where they are and support them to be where they want to be. I aim to encourage and build a team of warriors that support one another!
 

2. In navigating challenges specific to your industry, what strategies have you found most effective in ensuring sustained success for your business unit?

A business in clinical research is so rewarding, however, the successes also come with some depletion and stress. Anytime you are doing work that brings health and healing to others, you deplete a bit of your own energy to make it happen. This is a result of what it takes both on the clinical and business side of things. With this, we must celebrate the small successes along the way that lead to the larger successes. 

To sustain business, you must be nimble and know when to be quick and when to take your time. We all have deliverables, and we must make every effort to meet them but also know when to not compromise at the expense of time. You must consistently build by securing that business, but also being strategic in what business to target and when, projecting the next quarter, the next 6 months, the next year. 

You must analyze the market against your therapeutic expertise, current trends, and potential investments in terms of your people, technology, and processes. You must be honest about your strengths and weaknesses as a business unit and have a plan to address them. Financially, you strategically plan for sales, backlog, and revenue but it isn’t enough to plan. Break it down further with timelines for your small actions, leading to your big actions. What will it take to get you from 10% to 100%? When will you assess this again? What has changed? Analyze your business, not only from a quantitative viewpoint, but a qualitative viewpoint.  

Okay, we’ve looked at this now with business attributes, what about personal attributes of yourself and your team members? What are you exhibiting to your audience, to your clients, but most importantly; to yourself and each other? I think the best “strategy” for this is authenticity and humility. People don’t need a salesman; they need someone to support what their trying to achieve and to help bring comprehensive strategy and life to it. 

Are you the person always trying to shine above someone else to obtain greater status? Are you the person that likes to be the smartest person in the room or are you the person who likes to exhibit your knowledge but has no problem with someone else shining brighter than you? You could be either, but if you’re going to be a person that scales a business, then you will want those people that can shine brighter than you. Team members should be encouraging this of one another. This is the making of a winning team and a winning company.

 

3. What woman has inspired you most to pursue your career in life sciences/research, and how has her influence shaped your professional journey?

Though there are many inspiring women in this field, it was actually a few men that were mentors in pursuing my career. I worked for a physician that told me that I was bored and doing his job! He told me that my potential was far more than working in a job assisting him. He paid me to go observe surgeries. This led me to a career at an office of a world-renowned corneal surgeon and clinical research pioneer. We were the first clinic to perform or provide many new surgeries or treatments for patients globally. 

It was here that I saw the clinical research side and the patient side. It was inspiring! I remember crying with two specific patients, holding their hands, when they could see for the first time. This is something you don’t forget. With this, I could also see the gaps and I wanted to be a part of the change for improving how clinical research was conducted. 

The third man and most important one in pursuing my career in life sciences was my father. When I was a little girl, I came to him very seriously, and told him that I wanted to be just like Mary Poppins because she was confident and could do anything. He told me that he believed that I could do anything and do it better than Mary Poppins. And since he was my favorite person ever, I believed him! He repeated this to me my entire life up until his last day on this earth. I still believe him, and I instill this in all my children every day. 

My father went through several clinical trials for the treatment of hepatitis C. Going through this made me realize and fully appreciate the selflessness and hope of clinical research participants and their families.
 

4. As a champion for diversity and inclusion, how have you actively fostered an inclusive culture within your team, and what impact has it had on your unit’s dynamics?

Encouraging compassion, humility, and authenticity is important to me. One of my mottos is to love people where they are. On the good days and the bad days, I encourage my teams to be there for one another. Having a global presence contributes positively to both the company’s expansion and the personal development of individuals within the organization. It is important to be culturally aware and accepting. 

One of the ways that I like to foster an inclusive culture is to have days where we “share happiness” by sharing pics of things that make us happy. Another way is ensuring that we always have an activity if we travel somewhere for a meeting. A team that knows each other and values each other is the foundation of a strong team.

 

5. Can you share an example of a time when you felt particularly supported or empowered in your role at TFS?

When TFS was in the earlier phases of our growth as a company, I had a client who wanted us to bid on a phase III, gene therapy study with over 450 patients, 23 countries, and 158 sites. At the time, we had individuals who had gene therapy experience but not experience as a company. We didn’t have the number of resources with the requirements requested by the client. We had the expertise; it was just a matter of pulling it all together efficiently. 

I knew from my previous experience at a larger CRO, that the strategy for this trial was going to be more rigorous than what TFS had been used to. I knew that we were going to have to change a few processes to make this happen. Anytime you have rapid change, you have apprehensive mindsets. I was very honest with my client and TFS about what we were going to have to do, to deliver this trial. Because of our relationship, this client trusted me to do what was needed. 

These are the kind of relationships that you value and hold on to. I was thankful to my Head of CDS and CEO, who trusted me to do what was needed and supported me 100%. We were able to adjust our processes and obtain several resources with the qualification requested by the sponsor. They were even active in that process. I felt empowered to do what was needed and I was so happy that I was trusted to put my experience into action, with my team, to win that study.

 

6. In the face of technological advancements and remote work trends, how do you ensure your business unit remains agile and innovative, staying ahead in the competitive landscape of your industry?

I encourage people to be “forever students” and strategic thinkers. Not every high-profile advancement turns out to be a good advancement and some advancements don’t get enough recognition. It’s important to educate yourself on the industry and strategically review against solid data and your offerings, as well as get the opinions and feedback of those that are within the industry.

 

7. As a woman in leadership, what advice do you have for aspiring female professionals looking to advance their careers and break through barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields?

As a young first-time mother, going to school, and pursuing a career, I found out quickly who was and was not a support to me. Through my experience, I recognized that it is essential for women to support each other in the professional realm (and life), transcending societal norms. Building confidence starts with acknowledging our worth and capabilities, while remaining respectful to others and their accomplishments — that is how I was raised. I raise my children with that same sense of independence, empowering them to solve complex problems on their own and learning through trial and error. That is what I suggest for everyone. 

Empower yourself by working diligently for what you want and embrace the independence to accomplish tasks on your own. While challenges may arise, allowing oneself to navigate through complex situations independently fosters growth and resilience. Establishing boundaries is crucial; be confident in asserting your limits and knowledge. Focus on respecting others for their accomplishments while maintaining your self-worth. 

Additional advice I have for aspiring young women (and men for that matter): 

1. Truly LIVE. Go experience life. Take risks. Learn from mistakes. Define what success means to you. For me, it is above all else, to be truly happy and content; at peace within myself. It’s my opinion that success is found through both academic and life experience — they go hand in hand.
2. Recognize that what we see externally is just a part of a person’s story. Ensure your work remains dynamic, avoiding complacency, and only take responsibility for tasks within your purview.
3. Foster self-belief and trust your intuition. Others will believe in you when you exude confidence in yourself. Seek validation from within, acknowledging your intuitive knowledge without needing external affirmation.
4. Dream big. Move forward with a GRIT that is unstoppable. Let the neigh-sayers fuel your passion to dream bigger. Except nothing less than that dream. One of my favorite quotes is one from Les brown that says,

“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.” 

5. Embrace effective communication with honesty and transparency. Understand that not everyone may appreciate candor, and that’s acceptable. Don’t let dissenting voices silence you, and avoid losing sleep over it.
6. Cultivate a perpetual student mindset. Acknowledge that there’s always more to learn, and continuous learning enhances your overall understanding. Dedicate your life to ongoing learning.
7. Refrain from unnecessary apologies and over-explanation. Understand that certain personalities may not warrant your energy. Remember that “No” is a complete sentence, requiring no further justification.
8. Emphasize the value of humility. Welcome constructive feedback from mentors and managers, utilizing it to enhance yourself. Strength lies not in arrogance but in the ability to learn from everyone, even in the face of challenging feedback.
9. Choose your battles wisely. Before engaging in a situation, assess its significance and whether your input truly matters. Allow others the opportunity to excel and learn from various experiences.
10. Lastly, connect with nature regularly! Establish a routine that enables you to disconnect and reset. While work is perpetual, recognize that time with your family is finite. Refill your cup by prioritizing self-care, understanding its constant need in life.

 

8. What advice would you give to allies who want to support women in science and research but aren’t sure how to be most effective?

My advice is simple — embrace integrity, approach others with genuine intentions, and extend your support. Foster strengths and provide resources for enhancing weaknesses. Practice active listening rather than excessive talking. Instead of rescuing, offer thoughtful suggestions.

 

9. What are your hopes for the future of women in science and research and what changes do you think are necessary to make those hopes a reality?

My hope is that there will stop being a consideration of gender when it comes to career abilities and successes. I aspire to see an industry and a world where individuals focus on inner growth, becoming effective leaders outwardly. While it may seem ambitious, I envision a future where we view people without being swayed by political views and agendas. Ultimately, I hope for a future where empowered women set unwavering standards for themselves, free from compromises for others’ agendas.

 

10. Looking ahead, what are your visions and goals for the future of your business unit, and how do you plan to lead your team towards continued success and growth?

Our business unit will continue scaling firstly in the confidence and passion for what we do and each other as a team, and in business with integrity and skill that is evident in value and quality. We will continue to be students of our industry and evaluate the latest trends against our current service offerings, analyzing the need to shift or remain steady. We will do so with strategy, process, and communication.

 

Connect with Marcia on LinkedIn!

 

TFS’ Commitment to Inclusive Innovation 

At TFS HealthScience, we are committed to fostering innovation through inclusion. Our goal is to create a professional work environment where every employee feels respected and valued, no matter gender, race, culture, or belief. 

Inclusion is not a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing journey. We strive to constantly communicate and organize initiatives to integrate inclusion as a core sustainable value of the business. Our EmpowHER campaign invites you to be part of this transformative journey. Connect with us, engage with our stories, and join the conversation! 

Contact a team member today or connect with us on LinkedIn!