Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Schmidt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Melissa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After earning my J.D. from New England School of Law (2001), I began my career in life sciences, serving as primary corporate counsel for Fresenius Medical Care North America’s services division. Five years later, I took the healthcare and compliance background I learned at Fresenius and moved into pharma with Sepracor Inc. (later renamed Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.). Through acquisition and corporate strategic change, I worked to guide the company through complex processes of regulatory approval (US and International), negotiation of business partnerships and integration of various subsidiary/affiliate and partner companies through the corporate governance process. When leaving Sunovion, I sought an opportunity that would allow me to share my broad range of experience with clients that are, in many cases, going through what I had already tackled. I love being able to utilize my past experiences to guide my current clients.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Is any career path ever smooth? Corporate America and law firms included, are still very much male-dominated. Women need to work hard and always be willing to jump into the middle of any project, business matter, crisis, etc. There are no free chances. We need to prove ourselves and often, advancement depends on being willing to take a step back in order to take two steps forward.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Contracts Associates – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As a former in-house attorney for the pharmaceutical industry, I now partner with pharmaceutical company clients to share my experiences in all phases of research and development, as well as, corporate strategy. I am proud of the breadth of experience that I am able to bring to the table and that I am able to take some of the weight off of the shoulders of small companies determined to succeed.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I see a greater recognition of the lack of women executives these days. Companies are acknowledging this fact and working to increase female representation at higher levels.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 508-768-8470
- Email: mschmidt@contractsassociates.com
Image Credit:
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals photographer
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