ELEVATE: Audrey Greenberg on Pivoting with Purpose

Navigating Career Pivots with Audrey Greenberg – Insights from the Elevate Series

In the pharmaceutical outsourcing industry, where change is constant, navigating career transitions and pivots is a skill that can redefine your professional journey. As part of the "Elevate: Women Leading the Way in Pharma Outsourcing" series from Vector Talent, we sat down with the inspiring Audrey Greenberg to explore how to recognise opportunities, overcome uncertainty, and shape a meaningful career path.

With over 25 years of experience spanning industries like biotechnology, real estate, and financial services, Audrey has built an impressive career as a trailblazing entrepreneur and executive. From co-founding startups that achieved valuations exceeding £1 billion to serving as a board member for public and nonprofit organisations, Audrey’s story is one of bold decisions, resilience, and a commitment to mission-driven work.

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Key Takeaways from the Episode

In this session, Audrey shared her journey of navigating multiple career pivots, her strategies for resilience, and her advice for professionals looking to explore new opportunities. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Mission-Driven Decision Making

Audrey’s career pivots have been guided by a strong sense of purpose. She emphasised the importance of aligning your next move with your values and making decisions that contribute to both financial success and the greater good. “As I progressed in my career, my decisions became mission-driven—focused not only on business outcomes but also on creating value for society,” Audrey explained.

2. Overcoming Uncertainty in Career Transitions

Making bold career changes often comes with anxiety and fear of the unknown. Audrey shared her approach to managing uncertainty by conducting thorough due diligence. From speaking with current and former employees to analysing financial stability, Audrey stressed the importance of doing your homework. “You’re not just being interviewed—you’re interviewing them too,” she said.

3. Leveraging Transferable Skills

Audrey demonstrated how leveraging transferable skills can open doors to new industries. From applying her financial expertise to succeed in real estate and biotechnology to emphasising her client service skills, she illustrated how professionals can repurpose their strengths to thrive in unfamiliar environments.

4. Building Resilience During Transitions

Navigating career pivots can be challenging, but Audrey encouraged viewers to keep the bigger picture in mind. “Everything is temporary,” she said, highlighting the importance of patience and perseverance in weathering challenges like market constraints or organisational changes.

5. Action Leads to Clarity

Audrey’s biggest lesson? “Action causes clarity.” Rather than overthinking decisions, she advocated for taking calculated risks and embracing opportunities as they arise. “You never know what doors will open when you step outside your comfort zone.”

6. The Role of Mentorship

Audrey spoke passionately about the impact of mentorship in her career. As a mentee, she valued the wisdom of leaders who helped her think outside the box. As a mentor, she finds fulfilment in guiding others and learning from the fresh perspectives of younger professionals.

Key Advice

For professionals who feel “stuck” or unsure about making a change, Audrey recommended “testing the waters” through volunteer work, taking classes, or attending industry conferences. “You don’t have to make a leap overnight,” she said. “Start small, gain insight, and build momentum toward a bigger change.”

What the Full Episode

To hear more of Audrey’s actionable advice and inspiring journey, watch the full episode above or on YouTube at: Pivoting with Purpose with Audrey Greenberg.

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About Audrey

Audrey Greenberg, a visionary leader with nearly three decades of senior executive experience, has excelled in roles as CEO, CFO, CBO, and CMO across biotech, real estate, investment management, and technology. As the Founder of the Center for Breakthrough Medicines (CBM), Audrey spearheaded the company’s rapid growth, raising over $500 million, scaling operations, and closing a landmark joint venture with the University of Pennsylvania’s Gene Therapy Program, leading to CBM’s acquisition by SK pharmteco.

A skilled entrepreneur, Audrey has founded three startups exceeding $1 billion in valuation and serves as a director on multiple boards. Recognised with numerous honours, including Philly Power 100 and Titan 100 Hall of Fame, she is also an advocate for women’s leadership and a mentor to rising talent. Audrey holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.‍

About the Elevate Series

"Elevate: Women Leading the Way in Pharma Outsourcing" is a speaker series designed to empower women professionals in the pharmaceutical outsourcing industry. Featuring candid conversations with accomplished women leaders, the series offers insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you advance your career and navigate challenges in this dynamic field.

If you'd like to share your insights on the Elevate series or learn more about Vector Talent, get in touch.