As senior director and team leader in commercial development for Pfizer Oncology, Soma Gupta handles commercial oversight of Pfizer Oncology's newly emerging hematological malignancy assets and its early development portfolio. As a Pharm.D by training, Gupta says she thrives on the challenge of working in specialty categories where the unmet medical need is exceptionally high and the products delivered have a meaningful impact. "Working on the commercial perspective for early and launch assets in oncology, where the science and treatment paradigm move so quickly, is particularly interesting since identifying the meaningful improvements early can make a world of difference in the therapy you ultimately deliver," notes Gupta.

To succeed as a leader, Gupta believes that technical proficiency is "absolutely necessary." According to the pharma veteran, you must know the nuts and bolts of your field to earn the respect of a team and you must also know people. "Knowledge helps establish credibility, but it's emotional intelligence that will allow you to motivate and drive for results in large, cross-functional teams," she says.