Diego H. Grauman graduated with his MBA from Weatherhead School of Management in 2005. Currently, he is the vice president, senior medical affairs lead at Syneos Health in Boston, Massachusetts, where he supports biotech and pharma companies to develop and bring to patients innovative molecules for serious and life-threatening diseases.
“As a physician I had the opportunity to directly treat these patients and impact them one by one,” he said. “After several years of practice, my decision was to globalize my impact in a much stronger way, which is why I completed my MBA at Weatherhead and moved to the biopharmaceuticals industry. I had the opportunity to lead large teams of individuals with the same purpose that I have: to impact the lives of patients.”
Get to know more about Grauman:
What is your favorite memory at Weatherhead?
I have several nice memories at Weatherhead. I remember my first day where we formed the team that I was assigned to work with. I had no experience as a physician to work in teams the way we work on the business side. It was frightening but great at the same time, as it gave me the opportunity to challenge, discuss, align and obtain a much better final product from the discussion. At the beginning when we used to arrive at a different point of view that I had, it felt frustrating, but with practice and time I learned to adjust and be happy and proud no matter the result.
What is something interesting you're working on personally or professionally?
My wife and I founded a healthy snacks business, Paramo Snacks. PS is a women-owned and led company, created to accomplish two things: first, to bring the wonderful flavors of unique Latin American fruits and veggies to consumers through GOOD CHIPS; and second, to help small holder farmers who grow these exceptional superfoods while protecting vital ecosystems, essential to produce water for millions of people. If you want to try them or know more, please visit: https://paramosnacks.us/.
What advice would you share with current students?
- From Robert Kiyosaki: “When you are young, work to learn, not to earn.” I cannot stop repeating it to my own children. This is the time to learn and grow, the earnings will come.
- Do not get scared to get transversal roles that will not grow in the future, they provide you the learnings and experience to grow faster in your career later.
- Do not push your boss or the company’s leadership for your personal growth, perform and expose yourself. Let your company leaders know what you are doing, one way or another.
- Network, network, network. Meet every internal (and external if applicable) stakeholder that will not only facilitate your growth, but will also provide the necessary feedback to impulse your career.
- You are the ONLY owner of your career, every step depends on you.