“My degree has provided an incredible platform from which to launch my career.”
After graduating her Health Sciences degree, Romana began her career with Koti Technologies as a Market Research Analyst, investigating the demand for water purification products for hospital and healthcare facilities globally.
She then worked as a Research Analyst for Clubfoot Aotearoa, a non-profit supporting children born with the rare clubfoot disease. Romana’s role involved a large amount of data collation from family interviews and international partners to develop more effective healthcare models, particularly for providers in New Zealand and the Pacific.
Romana then moved to London, launching her career in the UK at The Royal Society within diversity and education policy administration, and later at Springer Nature publishing company assisting with the Scientific Data research journal.
Following this, Romana began specialising in the pharmaceutical sector as a Research Coordinator for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, managing research grants and events, including the annual Health Services Research and Pharmacy Practice (HSRPP) conference.
Romana then worked at Nicholas Hall, a consumer healthcare solutions company. As a Consultant, she researched the market for new, innovative health products and therapeutic devices; and develops business, sales, and R&D strategies for international clients. This included travelling to visit clients in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the USA.
After a period as a Project Manager at Reckitt (formerly Reckitt Benckiser) the global pharma company that owns Dettol, Durex, Strepsils, Gaviscon etc, she is now a Global Health & Social Impact Manager at Pfizer. We asked Romana what her role sees her doing and she replied:
"I have a broad range of responsibilities including product donations to International Health Partners in the UK, an organisation that provides essential health packs in humanitarian crises. I also manage the social impact strategy that requires relationship management with external charitable organisations that respond to the Social Determinants of Health. This ranges from social mobility, STEM outreach, sustainability and environment, people with complex disabilities, ageing populations and refugees. My responsibility is to engage internal Pfizer UK colleagues to volunteer with the charitable partners to create lasting social impact. Additionally, I work on health inequalities in the UK which includes attending conferences, managing external stakeholder relationships and responding to the UK's NHS Core20 Plus5 strategy which is a response to the 20% most deprived/ underserved populations in the UK. As part of this strategy, I also sit as a representative on a women's health coalition, and manage internal Pfizer UK colleague engagement with health inequalities data and external landscape. Lastly, I also support the Pfizer UK and regional Europe refugee leadership initiative whereby I work as part of the Diversity Equity Inclusion Council for Europe (DEICE) to support Pfizer Europe's strategy hire and mentor refugees."
Recently Romana was awarded a place to the Global Annual Summit - One Young World, where 4 people across the worldwide company were awarded a place. She has since been involved in a number of One Young Word initiatives, including joining them as an ambassador and completing the Gates Foundation Pandemic Preparedness Certificate.
Romana says that to any young alumni looking to move to London to be prepared to work hard as it's a competitive city, but that means there are so many opportunities. Embrace the challenges and new way of life. Be open minded, curious, socialise with different people and have fun!
