From Nonprofit R&D to Big Pharma Marketing: A Q&A with Deepika Cattry, MBA ’18
Deepika Cattry, MBA ’18, associate director of HCP rheumatology marketing for US Immunology at Bristol Myers Squibb
Deepika Cattry, MBA ’18, is a graduate of the Executive MBA Metro NY program at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. She made a successful career pivot from research and development at a nonprofit to commercialization in the pharmaceutical world with the help and guidance of the Career Management Center at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
As the associate director of HCP rheumatology marketing for US Immunology at global biopharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Cattry drives the development and execution of impactful strategies for a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) product. “My focus is on crafting compelling marketing strategies and messaging frameworks that empower the sales team to maximize impact for patients with RA,” she says.
Prior to joining BMS, Cattry worked as a clinical research manager at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City. There, she served as the primary liaison for phase 1 immunotherapy clinical trials in oncology, facilitating site activation with pharmaceutical and biotech companies while managing a team of researchers.
Learn more about Cattry’s career journey in this Q&A.
What inspired you to switch to a new career track?
Cattry: During my time in the nonprofit sector, I had the privilege of working on clinical trials that provided new treatments to patients with cancer in the New York City area. This experience ignited a passion within me to contribute on a larger scale, to drive the drug development process forward across several disease areas, and deliver treatment options globally. I saw an opportunity to blend my scientific expertise with my growing business acumen. I thought, “Imagine how many patients’ lives I could impact by working for a global company.”
Inspired by this vision, I transitioned from research and development to commercialization in the pharmaceutical world, eager to broaden my expertise and accelerate my professional growth. I was ready to dive into my new adventure!
In what ways did the SC Johnson College of Business Career Development staff help to guide you in your career pivot? What strategies recommended by your career coach proved particularly effective, and how so?
Cattry: Personalized coaching with Nicole Woodward [senior associate director, EMBA and Alumni Career Development at the Johnson School] helped me reposition my scientific background and transferable skillsets for the pharmaceutical sector. Together, we set clear goals, and she provided constructive feedback before and after interviews to ensure I was building a strong narrative to stand out against formidable candidates.
When I worried about my experience compared to others, Nicole celebrated my progress and reminded me to embrace my authenticity: “Just be your bubbly self and they’ll see you’re a fit for the role!” I learned it’s important to interview hiring managers too, aiming for a role where you’re valued as a partner, not just chasing a title.
I am also grateful for professors like Yaniv Grinstein, who invested time in developing my financial literacy and teaching me how to apply core principles to real-world cases. Having access to honest conversations with faculty was invaluable and empowered me to approach my career transition with confidence.
Did you find any course particularly helpful in preparing you for your new role?
Cattry: Taking Innovation and New Venture Creation with Steve Gal [senior lecturer and career entrepreneur] was one of the most impactful experiences of my MBA journey. From developing an idea and building a minimum viable product to pitching to peers, every step was packed with valuable lessons. The course uniquely prepared me to lead cross-functional teams in marketing and sales.
A true highlight was forming my own team and winning second place in a “shark tank”-style event that was the culmination of Gal’s course, held in December 2018 on the Cornell Tech campus in New York City. Along the way, we faced real challenges that pushed us to grow. The MBA program taught me how to manage conflict, build strong relationships, and advocate for innovative ideas.
In the corporate world, teams are highly matrixed, requiring you to navigate complex situations with poise. This class strengthened my collaboration skills and reinforced the importance of leveraging everyone’s strengths, proving that diverse perspectives elevate both ideas and team performance.
Did you build a new network of contacts that has been important to your career pivot? If so, what role did the SC Johnson College play in helping to build that network?
Our Executive MBA Metro NY class of 2018 network has become a group of lifelong friends who continue to inspire me. A valuable lesson I learned was the power of stepping outside my comfort zone—whether it was striking up conversations over snacks during breaks between classes or sharing career aspirations. As our class social co-chair, I made it a priority to connect not just with my own class, but with students from other years, too. You never know what you might gain from these connections, sometimes it’s a piece of advice that changes your perspective.
One profound interaction was with a classmate who worked in pharma. We met at a networking event and she encouraged me to apply to BMS, recognizing how my experience in clinical trials and oncology could make a difference. That single conversation set me on a new path.
To this day, our class group chat is still buzzing! We celebrate milestones, share career advice, and support each other through life’s transitions. I feel incredibly grateful for these bonds that are like family.
What advice do you have for other students or alumni of the SC Johnson College who are interested in making a career pivot?
Cattry: Leaving my research role at an academic institution—where I worked alongside brilliant minds in oncology—was nerve-wracking. But my drive to make a greater impact pushed me forward. I wanted to step into leadership roles and be part of the drug development process and learn how to shepherd a drug from the lab to the patient.
This career pivot was about embracing growth and expanding my influence, and it all began with the first bold step of applying to the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. Eight years later, I’ve continued to develop and thrive in the industry, taking on roles of increasing responsibility across research and now commercialization while having amazing mentors along the way.
If I hadn’t taken those risks and challenged myself every day, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Therefore, stay curious and never shy away from challenging yourself. Every risk you take is a chance to discover something extraordinary within you!