Catalina Vargas, Leading with Purpose, Building Leaders, Changing Lives on a Global Stage

By Gloria Romano-Barrera

When Catalina Vargas speaks about her work, her words fuse precision with deep humanity. As Senior Vice President for the Global Business Unit at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Vargas leads a diverse global organization responsible for manufacturing medicines reliably, safely and at scale. Her remit spans five internal manufacturing sites across different regions, as well as BMS’s external manufacturing network, bringing together teams around the world to turn science into medicines for patients.  Her path to this role, however, began in Colombia. An industrial engineer by training, Vargas did not initially set out to join the pharmaceutical world. Her entry came through opportunity and curiosity.

“Once I graduated from college, a company at that point called Wyeth, which Pfizer subsequently acquired, called me for an interview, and that’s the first time that I really started understanding about the pharmaceutical industry,” she recalls. “I was blessed to get the role, and since that point in my career, I’d pretty much spent all my time in the pharmaceutical industry.”

She started in procurement, then moved through roles that became increasingly expansive in scope, local, regional, and ultimately global. Along the way, she broadened her expertise into supply chain, manufacturing, and served as chief of staff to the CEO. Her journey wasn’t a straight line; it was always driven by impact.

“I am a person driven by purpose, and I don’t think there’s a bigger mission than helping patients by providing medicines to treat serious diseases,” she says. “I’ve been fortunate to be working with that goal since the first moment that I joined a company after graduating from college.”

From the beginning of her time at BMS eight years ago, Vargas felt
something special.

“I joined this company because when I saw the passion that people have for patients, delivering results was extremely palpable, as well as the science and the portfolio that we have,” she explains. “Eight years later, I’m happy that I made that decision because it has been a fulfilling career and an amazing experience as well.”

A global pharmaceutical executive with more than 25 years of experience, she and her teams literally turn science into medicine. Before joining BMS in 2018, Vargas spent 17 years at Pfizer in leadership roles spanning strategic sourcing, operations, and external manufacturing.

“I am excited and honored to have the privilege to lead the team that has the responsibility of manufacturing the product and the medicine that we provide to our patients. I am responsible for all the internal and external manufacturing sites. We have a global footprint.”

Catalina visits the New York Stock Exchange with Bristol Myers Squibb colleagues. March 2026.

Photo credit: BMS.

For Vargas, success in this role has two dimensions: accelerating access and investing in people.

“We have a great, exciting pipeline of products and medicines,” she says. “Launching products in an accelerated way and making sure they are delivered on time with the right quality to patients is critical, as is continuing to build a healthy culture in our team, knowing that we have helped on this transformation, in combination with science and AI technology.”

Her leadership is grounded in core values such as integrity, quality, and collaboration. But her identity as a Latina and Colombian immigrant shapes how she shows up and leads.

“Values are values regardless of where you are,” she notes. “I think passion
is something that Latinos bring to the table. The passion from Latinos is very palpable.”

Having lived and worked across countries, she leads with a global, inclusive lens.

“The experience of living in different countries and the experience of understanding different cultures allows you to understand that there are different perspectives of approaching situations, and different ways that people get motivated,” she explains. “As a leader, you need to stop, understand, and make sure that you are bringing the best of everyone together. I come from a different country, and I can relate to that part of being inclusive.”

Catalina participates in a fireside chat with Marc Goeller at Bristol Myers Squibb’s facility in Boudry, Switzerland. April 2026. Photo credit: BMS.

As a Latina executive, she recognizes the power of visibility, both for women within BMS and for communities beyond corporate walls.

“For Latinos to see someone in a leadership position, it’s also something that you can say, okay, I see it. It can happen. I can aspire to that too; it’s possible,” she says. “It’s absolutely okay to not be perfect, but to be vulnerable and to have passion and aspirations, and to get there guided by your values every day, and helping people grow. Behind her composed presence is a set of personal “levers” she uses to navigate challenges. What has helped her overcome them is relying on a set of personal strategies and adapting an approach to move forward. The first is perspective.

“When you have an obstacle, take a step back and understand how big or small the issue is,” she explains. “When you talk to different people, you can take different perspectives and then approach that challenge in a different way.”

The second is connection. “The more we connect with others, the more we understand and appreciate different perspectives,” she shares. “When we face challenges or obstacles, we often view them through a single lens. By engaging with people who bring different experiences and viewpoints, we can see those challenges in new ways and discover more effective approaches to overcoming them.”

Third is gratitude. “Even when I face challenges, I remain grateful for all the blessings in my life.” 

And finally, she insists on taking care of herself. A message she believes is critical for executives. “You must embrace the idea of putting on your own oxygen mask first,” she shares. “Just as on an airplane, you must take care of yourself before you can effectively help others. Take the time to ground and restore yourself. For me, that means protecting my sleep, continuing to exercise, and making time for prayer, all of which help me stay centered and grounded.”

Catalina speaks at Pharma Manufacturing World Summit about how BMS is driving forward innovation by building digital capabilities that focus on data-driven decision-making. May 2025.  Photo credit: Pharma Manufacturing World Summit.

Her own routine is intentional: exercising at least three times a week, prioritizing sleep, eating well, staying hydrated, and praying. “My family plays an important role in keeping me grounded,” she adds. “I devote my time outside of work to being fully present with my daughters and my husband. Whenever possible, I also travel to Colombia to spend time with my mother. Being with my family keeps me grounded, renews my energy, and reminds me of what matters most.”

Sports have also played a lasting role in how she leads. Her leadership style was shaped long before she entered the corporate world, on volleyball courts in middle and high school.

“You learn so much from sports: being a good team player, learning to deliver under pressure, showing up for training even when you’re tired, the discipline, the commitment,” she shares. “Lessons that without even knowing, you carry throughout your life.”

Those lessons show up in what she calls her professional staples: “Being an inspirational leader and having a clear purpose for the team,” she shares. “Build a high-performing team with a healthy culture, build the next generation of leaders, and this concept of being bold and taking risks.”

Inside BMS, Vargas is also engaged with People & Business Resource Groups, including OLA (Organization for Latino Achievement), the Latino PBRG, and B-NOW (BMS Network of Women), the women’s PBRG.

“It’s about a sense of belonging,” she says. “Having that type of space to talk about what’s in people’s minds and then how we can help them grow, it’s important. It’s also with a purpose. How we do our work, how we engage communities, how we reach patients.”

Beyond the company, her most important audience may be at home. She is the mother of twin daughters, now teenagers choosing their own paths, sports included.

“What I hope they have learned is the importance of living by strong values,” she shares. “Family, integrity, and hard work matter. So does supporting your community, being there for your friends, and, above all, being a kind and caring person.”

To Latinas already working in STEM, and to those aspiring to build careers in the pharmaceutical industry, Vargas offers clear and encouraging advice.

“Choosing STEM is already an important first step,” she says. “Stay curious and maintain a genuine passion for learning, because throughout your career, every day will bring something new. Be willing to take risks, trust your voice, and speak up.”

Looking back on her own journey, Vargas sums it up in one word: grateful.

“A career is built one day at a time,” she shares. “Success does not happen all at once. Every day, you learn, grow, and build something new. I am deeply grateful for all the people who have supported me, but I am also grateful for the challenges and setbacks, because they helped shape me into the person and leader I am today.”

And to Latina leaders everywhere, she offers one final call to action.

“Bring your passion, your work ethic, your entrepreneurial spirit, and your commitment to innovation, and make sure your voice is heard,” she says. “We have tremendous talent and so much to contribute to every industry and every space where decisions are being made.”