Behind the bio: Meet Karen Costello, the new General Manager for our commercial affiliate in Ireland

Today we share the exciting news that Karen Costello has been appointed as the new General Manager for our commercial affiliate in Ireland. In this new role, Karen will lead the delivery of our local commercial strategy, with a focus on evolving how we engage with customers and stakeholders to drive patient access to the medicines they need.

A native of County Kerry, Karen joined Bristol Myers Squibb in 2001, initially working in a field-based role followed by marketing roles at the affiliate, regional, and global levels. Read more about Karen’s 20 plus years at the company, including her personal highlights and what she’s most looking forward to now she’s back in Ireland.

You’ve spent the last three years working in the United States. What are you most looking forward to about being back in Ireland?

On a very personal level, I’m thrilled to be back home. I’ve previously worked within the UK and Ireland cluster, and at European and Global levels, but this will be my first time living and working in Ireland during my career at Bristol Myers Squibb. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my roots and dedicating my efforts to focus on the patients in Ireland, making meaningful connections, and concentrating on having a real impact here.

What led you to join the pharmaceutical industry, and what keeps you here?

I started my undergraduate education with a degree in Nutritional Science and then completed a Master’s in Sports Nutrition. Initially, I worked as a nutrition consultant, but I also had an interesting stint at a private art gallery in Knightsbridge. It was during a period of taking stock of my career aspirations that I decided to shift gears and joined Bristol Myers Squibb as a Primary Care & Hospital Sales Representative.

That was more than 20 years ago and since then I’ve been fortunate to have some incredibly interesting and varied roles. The driving force behind my decision to stay in the pharmaceutical industry is the patients who we work for every day. Making sure they remain at the heart of everything we do and being part of a team that can help to transform their lives is incredibly motivating and fulfilling.

Looking back at your 20+ years at Bristol Myers Squibb, what are you most proud of?

There have been so many proud moments - big and small - from launching products that address serious unmet needs, to helping build a culture that’s rooted in patient-centricity. I’m also incredibly proud to watch my teams grow and develop. Seeing the hard work they put in every day to make a difference to patients’ lives is truly inspiring.

What's the most important thing you learned in your previous role as Vice President of Haematology Marketing in the United States?

I've learned countless lessons throughout my time at Bristol Myers Squibb, but some of the most important ones include:

• Taking a people-first approach: To thrive as a business and a team, it’s essential to know your people well. This means ensuring that the right people, with the right skills, are in the right positions. Creating a culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and listened to is a key part of this.
• Leading with a clear vision and focus: Articulating a clear vision and ensuring everyone is aligned with it is crucial. It’s important to prioritise and focus only on the things that will make the biggest impact. By doing this, we can turn the impossible into possible.
• Getting things right first time: A successful strategy must be underpinned by deep insights. You need to always be curious and understand the ‘why’ behind a challenge or opportunity. Only then can we truly innovate internally and successfully collaborate with our external stakeholders.
• Embracing opportunities: If you’re in it for the long game, embrace every opportunity, step out of your comfort zone, build your capabilities, and face challenges head-on!

What’s the best career advice you have received from any mentors or your peers?

I went for my first marketing role and didn’t get it. The hiring manager at the time told me, “You need to be pulled by your dreams, not driven by circumstance.” That advice has stayed with me ever since. It’s a reminder to focus on what’s possible and let dreams guide your path, rather than getting caught up in the current status quo. It’s become a mantra for both my personal life and career.

What do you consider the biggest challenges and opportunities to be for the Irish health system?

Some of the biggest challenges facing our Irish health system include the constant pressure of rising healthcare costs, an ageing population, and the need for investment in infrastructure and technology to support the Health Service Executive’s digital strategy and innovation framework. Ensuring long-term financial sustainability while maintaining quality care is a huge challenge. The two-tier system also means that access to healthcare services can be problematic for the public.

But with challenges, come opportunities. Ensuring that patients have equitable access to medicines is a huge priority for us. A key focus area is working closely with healthcare professionals and health services to improve patient outcomes and access to treatments. There’s still a lot of work to be done but we have a well-known Irish saying: “Ní neart go cur le Chéile”, which translates to “there is no strength without unity”. I truly believe this and I’m excited to work with the team to build on the remarkable results that have already been accomplished in Ireland.

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Date of preparation: November 2024