Editor’s note: This story is part of our 2022 PharmaVoice 100 feature.
There’s a clear thread that has motivated Amanda Ryan’s career: disparity and inequity of access to healthcare. She says she’s kept awake by the thought that “so many people still do not have access to impactful information and existing treatments that would enhance their quality of life.”
It’s an industrywide challenge that Ryan has turned into a professional pursuit. As president of G3 Life Sciences at G3 Translate, a translation and language solutions company, she helps colleagues and clients understand how literacy levels affect patients’ understanding of health documents, how accessibility can drive content creation, and the importance of clear language in patient care.
For example, in 2021, as a member of Intellus Worldwide’s Clear Health Communications task force, she executed a qualitative research study on the effectiveness of communication for mask wearing. She and the team of industry experts turned the findings into clear, health-literate posters that she then had adapted and localized into 27 languages — all work she executed at no cost for small businesses and schools worldwide.
“I believe nothing is more impactful as a leader than to bring your whole, authentic self to work every day and empower and coach others to do the same.”
Amanda Ryan
President, G3 Life Sciences, G3 Translate
Her work also extends into the R&D arena where nominators says she strives to promote DE&I initiatives by educating “various constituents on the business and moral imperatives of equity and inclusion in clinical trials.”
Ryan is also committed to finding ways to support women and those of diverse backgrounds in the workplace. She is a Healthcare Businesswomen's Association mentor, is active on the Diversity Alliance for Science membership committee and supports other women- and diverse-owned businesses.
Here, Ryan talks about her “reflective” leadership style and how she’s helping build the next generation of leaders.
PharmaVoice: What is the single most important trend that is impacting your area of focus?
Amanda Ryan: Without hesitation, inclusivity and access to clinical trials. With more than 30% of clinical trials failing due to lack of adequate patient participation, we have to get even smarter about establishing credibility and trust within local communities across the globe, ensuring that physicians are aware of trials that represent their therapy focus, and providing the necessary support for patients of all demographics to participate. For many therapies, the Holy Grail is the patient referral directly into a clinical trial, but we’re not there yet. Providers are busy, they may not have the knowledge of clinical trial availability, and we still have work to do to establish trust with patients. I’m also excited about the growing number of decentralized trial companies and the possibilities they represent.
What new leadership skills have you acquired over the past two years that you will continue to bring forward?
The power of reflection. I reflect daily through the lens of, how can I continue to grow as an individual? How can I make a greater impact on my people, my clients, and the world? This provides a sense of direction, connection, and purpose to not only who I am as a leader, but also what we do and how we do it at G3. I'm very conscious of and committed to using my journey to coach and support the next generation of strong women leaders by building their impact and confidence in the workplace and world.
How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style is rooted in my own vulnerability, and the ability it creates to coach, connect, and empower others. People would describe me as authentically positive, open, and honest by nature. Early on in my leadership career, I was concerned these traits were my limitations. But I believe nothing is more impactful as a leader, and to your results, than to bring your whole, authentic self to work every day and empower and coach others to do the same.
What’s the most meaningful item in your office and why?
When I hit my 10-year anniversary at my previous organization, one of the (many) thoughtful ways my teams and colleagues celebrated my time with the company was by creating a huge scrapbook full of photos and words of gratitude and impact. I'm talking 50+ pages filled end-to-end. I display it on my bookshelf as a constant reminder of how lucky I am to lead and support so many careers and lives, and to not take that for granted.
