ELEVATE: Orchestrating Growth: Grace Kim’s Path from Scientist to Global Sales Leader

In this episode of Elevate, host Marianne welcomes Grace Kim, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sales and Business Development at Minaris Advanced Therapies. With over 20 years of experience spanning science and commercial leadership, Grace shares how she navigated her transition from the lab to the executive suite and how learning to fear less became a cornerstone of her success.

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What you'll learn:

• How Grace transitioned from a scientific background to a global commercial leadership role.
• The importance of mentorship and support systems in stepping into new opportunities.
• Why aligning on “the reality of a situation” is critical for effective leadership.
• How to balance scientific and business thinking in the biopharma CDMO space.
• Grace’s perspective on imposter syndrome and how to move forward with self-doubt.

• Why building diverse, people-focused teams matters more than ever in a results-driven industry.

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Top Quote

“You don’t have to be fearless. Very few people are. But you can fear less. Temper that fear, trust yourself, and move forward.”

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About Grace:

Grace Kim is the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sales and Business Development at Minaris Advanced Therapies, where she leads global growth strategies across the biopharma and advanced therapy sectors. With two decades of experience spanning roles at AGC Biologics, Rentschler Biopharma, and Samsung Biologics, Grace combines deep scientific expertise with sharp commercial acumen.Her unique journey from aspiring choral conductor to molecular biologist to business leader shapes her people-first approach to leadership and her passion for empowering teams to thrive in fast-evolving industries.

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About the Elevate Series:

"Elevate: Women Leading the Way in Pharma Outsourcing" is a speaker series designed to empower women professionals in the pharmaceutical outsourcing industry. Featuring candid conversations with accomplished women leaders, the series offers insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you advance your career and navigate challenges in this dynamic field.

If you'd like to share your insights on the Elevate series or learn more about Vector Talent, ⁠⁠get in touch⁠⁠.

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