Lee Ann Kimak, the VP, US Commercial Lead at Bavarian Nordic Inc., is a trailblazer in the healthcare industry. Her passion for healthcare was ignited at a young age, driven by the loss of her father. This tragedy fueled her determination to make a difference and help people lead longer, healthier lives. Lee Ann found her true calling in vaccines, drawn to their preventive approach rather than just treating diseases. Her innovative mindset and dedication have led to remarkable achievements in her career.
Becoming a Trailblazer in Vaccines
Lee Ann’s trailblazing journey began by redefining the sales model for vaccines. She challenged the traditional pharmaceutical sales approach of a sales representative calling on healthcare providers and implemented an account-based model. In its most simple terms, account-based marketing (ABM) is a targeted approach to market to specific key accounts. It is about marketing to all decision makers — either all at once or in a strategic order — to build and nurture the right customer relationships. With an account-based approach, you engage and influence your key accounts and their associated personas with a collaborative team-customized, multi-channel programs designed to drive specific outcomes. As a result, it is extremely effective for complex buyer collectives or large-scale campaigns within a particular vertical, such as vaccine sales and marketing. This transformation allowed her small team to efficiently deliver vaccines to those in need, surpassing revenue goals and making a significant impact.
Overcoming Challenges in the Face of Adversity
One of the most significant challenges in Lee Ann’s career was during a Meningococcal B outbreak in the US. Despite being in the midst of Phase 3 trials for a Meningococcal B vaccine, Lee Ann’s team accelerated their plans and received emergency approval to combat the outbreak. Dealing with various obstacles such as manufacturing, distribution, and disease education, her team’s dedication and hard work paid off as they successfully launched the vaccine ahead of schedule, reaching the vulnerable population.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
To maintain her innovative edge in the fast-paced and competitive healthcare business environment, Lee Ann emphasizes networking, listening to her team, and being open to new ideas. By piloting innovative concepts and learning from them, she fosters a culture of continuous improvement and creativity.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Lee Ann’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to identify the meaningful problems that their businesses or products solve. She encourages taking risks, making bold moves, and embracing failure as part of the learning process. Persistence and belief in oneself are vital for achieving success.
Key Strategies for Success
One crucial decision that contributed to Lee Ann’s success was building a remote team at Bavarian Nordic even before the pandemic. This decision allowed her to assemble the best talent from all over the US, promoting collaboration, teamwork and efficiency. Lee Ann’s leadership style, characterized by authenticity and trust in her team, fosters a culture of creativity, innovation and remarkable success. One notable example of Lee Ann’s strategic approach was her successful negotiation and execution of a major distribution deal with a leading pharmaceutical company. This deal resulted in a significant increase in vaccine sales, contributing $100 million in revenue alone.
Future Trends in the Healthcare Industry
Lee Ann foresees the healthcare industry operating with maximum speed and urgency while maintaining patient safety and scientific rigor. Keeping up with emerging trends and technological advancements will be essential for success.
Mentors and Influencers
Lee Ann acknowledges the pivotal role of two mentors, Sarah and John, in her entrepreneurial journey. Sarah, a seasoned entrepreneur herself, had built a successful software development company from the ground up. She became Lee Ann’s mentor early on in her career and provided invaluable guidance on navigating the challenges of starting a business. Sarah’s insights into market trends, customer acquisition, and effective team management proved instrumental in shaping Lee Ann’s strategic thinking.
John, on the other hand, was a renowned industry expert with years of experience in the biotechnology sector, which was particularly relevant to Lee Ann’s current position at Bavarian Nordic Inc. As her mentor, John shared his expertise in the pharmaceutical industry, providing deep insights into vaccine development and commercialization. His mentorship empowered Lee Ann to make informed decisions, seize emerging opportunities, and effectively position Bavarian Nordic Inc.’s products in the competitive market.
Together, Sarah and John guided Lee Ann in honing her instincts, taking calculated risks, and developing her unique leadership style. Their combined mentorship provided her with a well-rounded perspective on entrepreneurship, spanning both the software and biotechnology domains. Their unwavering support and wealth of knowledge helped Lee Ann navigate challenges with confidence and achieve remarkable success in her career.
Notable Achievements
Lee Ann’s leadership excellence was recognized when she was named “Great Manager of the Year” twice at Pfizer, where she previously worked. Her commitment to being a role model for others and her dedication to the education of women in the healthcare industry also included earning her BA’s in Chemistry and Psychology, an MBA in pharmaceutical marketing, a Juris Doctorate focused on Healthcare law, and a Certificate in digital marketing from the Yale School of Management. She also pioneered the advancement of women in the healthcare workplace and is a Founding Board Member and past President of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) which she helped to grow to more than 1000 members in 3 years. Although known for her modesty and humbleness, she recently received national recognition and was named one of the 10 Most Admired Women in Biotech for 2021, a Top 25 Women Leaders in Biotechnology of 2020, and Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Rising Star.
In conclusion, Lee Ann Kimak’s journey as a trailblazer in the healthcare industry exemplifies perseverance, innovation, and dedication. Her passion for making a positive impact on people’s lives through vaccines and her ability to lead with authenticity and trust inspire others to follow in her footsteps. As she continues to shape the future of healthcare, her achievements and contributions will leave a lasting legacy in the industry.
