The LTEN Excellence Awards spotlights exceptional individuals in the Emerging Leader category. This year, we honor outstanding professionals who have redefined the boundaries of learning and development.
Among this year’s standouts are Chris Sumter from Novo Nordisk, Mindy Ariatti from Takeda, Smadar Catran from Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Merissa Goodstein from Gilead Sciences. Their remarkable achievements and contributions have not only shaped their organizations but also inspired the industry as a whole.
The LTEN Excellence Awards is an annual awards competition that spotlights and recognizes innovative L&D initiatives, teams, leaders, and partnerships. Learn more about the awards competition here.
Pictured above: Chris Sumter’s Poster Presentation
Chris Sumter of Novo Nordisk
Chris Sumter Wins LTEN Emerging Leader Award
Chris Sumter from Novo Nordisk has been named the 2023 LTEN Excellence Awards Emerging Leader. This achievement is a testament to Sumter’s remarkable contributions to the field of training and development in the life sciences sector. Let’s take a closer look at what sets him apart and learn more about his nomination.
A Trailblazer in Training
In just 18 months, Sumter skyrocketed from a Manager to an Associate Director role within Novo Nordisk’s Employee Experience team. His exceptional leadership shines through in his role, where he has led the charge in designing and executing training for the Obesity sales and education franchise.
One of his crowning achievements was the successful launch of Wegovy. Sumter’s impact extends beyond training; he has been a mentor, advisor, and leader, leaving an indelible mark on Novo Nordisk’s African-American and Veteran Employee Resource Groups.
Unveiling Innovation
Sumter’s ability to lead by example with minimal guidance is a hallmark of his approach. He’s never afraid to take calculated risks to enrich the learner experience. A prime example of his ingenuity was evident during the Obesity Planning meeting in December.
Here, he revolutionized the learning experience by crafting a curriculum that incorporated sensory elements, tapping into the neuroscience of learning. Through movement, scents, sounds, and emotional triggers, Sumter created an adult learning experience that set a new standard.
His unwavering vision led to a departure from conventional meeting formats, which required extensive discussions and negotiations. Sumter’s determination and conviction pushed senior leadership to place their trust in him, resulting in an elevated learning experience that will undoubtedly influence future events at Novo Nordisk.
Future-Ready Leadership
Looking ahead, Sumter’s arsenal of skills is poised to make him a powerhouse in leading learning and training functions across diverse organizations. His prowess in team leadership, strategic growth planning, and targeted launch strategies position him as an invaluable asset. Moreover, Chris’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is a testament to his values, which will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of training initiatives.
A Legacy of Accolades
Sumter’s professional development journey has been punctuated with well-deserved recognition. In December 2021, he clinched the Commercial Learning and Development “Innovator” Vision Award for his ingenious problem-solving and innovative thinking that aligns with CL&D’s Mission & Vision.
His impact resonated even earlier when he won the 2020 Demonstrated Leadership Icon Award from the NNI Office of Diversity & Inclusion. This accolade was a recognition of his leadership in the Veterans At Novo Nordisk and African Americans In Novo Nordisk Employee Resource Groups.
His accomplishments include pioneering a professional development series, orchestrating a Virtual Veterans Day program, and championing the Veteran Hiring Proposal.
Sumter’s journey from Manager to Associate Director, his revolutionary approach to learning, and his unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion makes him an exemplary Emerging Leader. His accomplishments are a source of inspiration to training professionals in the life sciences sector and beyond.
Meet the Finalists
Mindy Ariatti of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Spotlight on LTEN Excellence Awards Finalist
Mindy Ariatti from Takeda was named a 2023 LTEN Excellence Awards finalist in the Emerging Leader category. Ariatti’s exceptional contributions to learning and development have made her a standout candidate. Explore how her work has impacted the life sciences sector.
Elevating Field Capability and Training
Mindy Ariatti, the Field Capability and Training (FC&T) Launch Lead for Takeda’s Rare Disease Business Unit, embodies inspirational leadership. Her innovative training approach has elevated the transplant launch, driving remarkable outcomes for Takeda.
Ariatti’s leadership has fostered a cohesive cross-functional team, resulting in sales performance surpassing annual forecasts. She demonstrates proactivity, creativity, and a commitment to putting both learners and patients at the core of every learning experience.
Champion of Collaboration
Ariatti’s standout qualities are undeniable, with her ability to connect and collaborate is a true asset. Rather than operating in silos, Ariatti encourages collaboration and communication. She has not only led her team but has also engaged with cross-functional units crucial to the training strategy’s success.
Ariatti’s foresight is exemplified by her partnership with CH1, Takeda’s vendor partner for transplant launch training materials. Through immersive sessions, Ariatti ensured that CH1 aligned with the launch’s scientific strategy, enabling the seamless incorporation of scientific insights into training materials.
Innovation is another hallmark of Ariatti’s approach. She anticipated challenges and devised creative solutions, even when the launch date was accelerated. Her agile leadership facilitated smooth adaptation to changing strategies, ensuring every milestone was met. In the face of adversity, like the departure of a team member, her unwavering dedication kept the transplant launch on track.
Future-Ready Leadership
Ariatti’s impact extends beyond the transplant launch, showcasing qualities that are invaluable for future leadership roles. Her learner-focused approach is key, to influencing the design and development of engaging learning experiences. Her commitment to experiential learning fostered authentic engagement, a cornerstone of the launch training roadmap.
Agility is another of Ariatti’s strengths, demonstrated through her ability to pivot strategies to align with evolving launch plans. Her communication skills shine as she connects cross-functional units, fostering a cohesive environment for stakeholders. Ariatti’s innovative thinking, highlighted by her patient-centered approach, positions her as a visionary leader who will undoubtedly drive success throughout her career.
Accolades and Recognition
Ariatti’s impact has not gone unnoticed. She was honored with the Takeda USCO Impact Award for Individual, a testament to her outstanding contributions. Furthermore, the transplant Launch Team, under her guidance, clinched the USCO Impact Award, underscoring the significance of her leadership.
Mindy Ariatti’s journey as an LTEN Excellence Awards finalist is a testament to her leadership, innovation, and commitment to training and development in the life sciences sector.
Smadar Catran of Teva Pharmaceuticals
Spotlight on LTEN Excellence Awards Finalist
In the realm of training and development, there are exceptional individuals who stand out for their dedication, innovation, and leadership. Smadar Catran from Teva Pharmaceuticals, named a finalist in the LTEN Excellence Awards Emerging Leader category, is clearly one such remarkable professional.
Rising to Excellence
Smadar Catran’s journey within Commercial Training & Development (CT&D) at Teva Pharmaceuticals is a testament to her extraordinary ability to anticipate opportunities and lead with determination.
After joining CT&D as a senior administrative assistant, Catran was invited by CT&D just a year later to take on the role of learning technology specialist. This promotion is a reflection of her intelligence, work ethic, and innate leadership talents. Catran’s exceptional qualities have propelled her to excel as a trainer, spearheading impactful initiatives that have made a difference across the organization.
Initiatives that Define Excellence
Catran’s prowess lies not only in her attention to detail and strong work ethic but also in her capacity to lead and drive transformative projects. One of her standout initiatives is the creation and implementation of the “Tech Tip Tuesdays” program—a bimonthly organization-wide email blast offering valuable tech insights. Catran’s anticipatory skills shone brightly as she identified the need for technological literacy among learners and acted upon it.
The initiative began with one-on-one consultations, where Catran’s tech expertise and approachability made her the go-to person for training-related tech questions. She noticed patterns in her colleagues’ inquiries and proactively created resources to address them. “Tech Tip Tuesdays” rapidly evolved into a significant organizational resource, bridging the gap in technological literacy across Teva.
Qualities that Set Catran Apart
Catran’s unique blend of meticulousness, personability, and visionary thinking has positioned her as a true leader. This leadership was clearly on display as she identified opportunities to improve Teva’s Momentum training platform—a central hub for onboarding and ongoing training materials—and then led an initiative to enact these updates. Her cross-functional collaboration skills and technological proficiency ensured a seamless transition, benefiting the entire organization.
Furthermore, Catran played a pivotal role in helping Teva’s representatives transition to using an iPad Pro as their primary working tool. Her leadership in this initiative showcased her ability to direct cross-functional teams, driving successful rollouts through careful planning, resource development, and collaboration.
A Future of Bright Possibilities
Catran’s impact extends beyond her current role, hinting at a future filled with leadership opportunities and innovative practices. Her ability to recognize gaps, find solutions, and communicate effectively places her squarely as a training leader. Having achieved so much in a short time, Catran’s future is undoubtedly one of continued success and growth.
Her achievements have garnered well-deserved recognition. She has received multiple STARS awards through Teva’s performance program, a testament to her work and alignment with Teva’s core values.
Smadar Catran’s journey as an LTEN Excellence Awards finalist is an inspiration to training professionals in the life sciences sector. Let’s celebrate the passion, innovation, and leadership of professionals like Smadar who are shaping the future of training and development.
Contact Smadar Catran:
Smadar Catran Email
Smadar Catran LinkedIn
About the LTEN Excellence Awards
The LTEN Excellence Awards recognize the innovative and inspiring work done by life sciences training professionals at pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and diagnostics companies (“practitioners”) and the strong support, innovation and creativity of training industry partner companies (“providers”).
Contact Us
For additional questions, please contact Awards@L-TEN.org.
Interested in sponsoring this year’s awards program? Contact Gregg Haunroth at ghaunroth@L-TEN.org
