Job Description

Executive Insights : Cultivating Unity, Growth, and Improved Patient Outcomes through Diverse Team Experiences

• July 28, 2024

Ann Houseman, Vice President and Cell Therapy Site Leader at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) in Bothell, Washington, shares her perspective on the importance of diverse career experiences, Washington state's impressive life sciences cluster, and tips for building a network within the industry.

Q : Tell us a little about your career journey and current role within the Bristol Myers Squibb team.

Houseman : Over the past 20 years, I've had the privilege of working across various roles and unit operations in biomanufacturing, including starting on the shop floor, where I was closest to the product and able to understand safety and quality. Currently, I serve as the lead for BMS' Bothell manufacturing location, which is a pivotal part of our cell therapy network. I oversee all aspects of the state-of-the-art facility, equipped with cutting-edge technologies and over 700 highly trained manufacturing, quality, and support teams to produce engineered cell-based therapies for people with cancer.

Q : Over the past decade, Washington has developed an innovative biomanufacturing sector. How is BMS sustaining this growth from a workforce perspective?

Houseman : Since moving here at the beginning of 2024, I've witnessed first-hand why Washington state is widely recognized as a growth sector for biomanufacturing. BMS is committed to innovation, a mindset that strongly resonates across industries in the Seattle area. This environment enables BMS to attract talent from diverse backgrounds, including those with experience outside of life sciences.

Problem-solving is something we do every day in manufacturing, and the type of people that succeed in these roles are open-minded individuals who've had a lot of experience and can think through things in new ways. Having a cross-sector of expertise diversifies our knowledge and bolsters our decision-making capabilities, which is critical in our industry due to the high sense of urgency and sensitivity of the work we do.

Q : Do you have any site-specific goals at the Bothell location?

Houseman : Bothell is our oldest manufacturing site in the cell therapy network, and we are focused on advancing novel pipeline products to transform patient care. Concurrently, we're growing our initiatives to develop new talent and expand the capabilities of our people. With new faces joining our team, we must provide opportunities for them to gain exposure to different areas of the site. This approach not only enriches their professional development but fosters a culture of unity by providing an understanding of how one's role fits into BMS' overarching mission to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that have the potential to help patients prevail over serious diseases.

Q : What makes you hopeful for the future of cell therapy treatments and innovation?

Houseman : Early in my tenure as Bothell site lead, we had the honor of introducing one of our patients during a year-end celebration. Learning how a patient benefited from the use of one of our products reaffirmed our collective answer to the why behind what we are doing and how we are truly touching lives. Each day, we set out to deliver on our vision to transform patients' lives through science. This is not just a slogan but a genuine feeling that drives our dedication at BMS.

Looking ahead, I'm particularly excited to pursue our potential expansion of cell therapy to treat autoimmune diseases – another long-standing, unmet need that reflects our commitment to innovation.

Q : As a recent West Coast transplant, what stands out to you about Washington state's life sciences industry?

Houseman : Having spent considerable time on the East Coast, I am struck by the innovation and drive emanating from small biotechs within Washington state's cluster. The sheer concentration of early-stage companies here is astounding, and there is so much opportunity to effectively translate and scale their innovation abilities into a larger company with greater resources, for an even more significant impact.

Q : Do you have any advice for early-career professionals getting started in the biomanufacturing space?

Houseman : My advice is to deliberately develop your network and cultivate relationships within the industry. Talking to and learning from people around you is invaluable, and I've found that people in this industry are very approachable and willing to connect. Equally important is maintaining a deeply rooted passion for your work, which is vital for fueling professional growth and inspiring others to follow suit in advancing biopharma and patient care.

Interested in joining Ann Houseman and innovating to improve patient outcomes at Bristol Myers Squibb? Visit Bristol Myers Squibb's career page to learn more about current openings.

Sponsored by Life Science Washington and Bristol Myers Squibb

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