Career lessons from 20 years at IQVIA

Laura Diaz Ramirez shares the most important lessons she learned during her two-decade career journey at IQVIA.

What does it look like to build a long-lasting career at IQVIA? Just ask Laura Diaz Ramirez.

Starting as a pharmacovigilance specialist and rising to business operations and delivery enablement head in global site activation and monitoring, Laura’s made her mark at every level. She’s grown her career at IQVIA with intention — making an impact on colleagues, customers and the company every step of the way. During her journey, she has leaned into every opportunity to evolve in her career.

Here are five key lessons from her 20 years working at IQVIA:

1. Use every role as a chance to grow

Early in her career, Laura found herself at a crossroads as the organization evolved, and responsibilities shifted globally. Rather than stepping away, she took the opportunity to explore new roles within IQVIA — pivoting into a position that expanded her skills, opened new career paths, and strengthened her impact. “It’s incredible how much we are constantly learning,” she said. “As roles evolve, you learn more things, new things and different ways of doing things.” Laura embraced change and turned every new challenge into momentum for what came next.

2. Embrace a healthy work-life balance

As Laura stepped into a global role, she was also becoming a first-time mom. That meant navigating her career and a major life change at the same time. At first, the pressure was overwhelming, but with support from her leaders, she learned how possible it was to find a balance that worked. “My manager made sure I never missed a parent meeting for my kids. I was always able to be present as a mom,” she said. That experience shaped her belief that at IQVIA, it is always possible to grow your career while still showing up in your personal life.

3. Lead by putting people first

Transitioning into leadership gave Laura a new perspective — not just on the work but on the impact she could have on others. She found that the human part of work is often the most important. “We always say it’s what’s on the inside that counts, and one thing I really love about IQVIA is the people,” she explained. “I was able to make a lot of great friends from all around the world. It’s amazing being able to meet face-to-face with my colleagues while I travel.” By putting people first, Laura created an environment where her team could grow, succeed and do their best work.

4. Speak up and ask for support

At one point in her career, Laura was navigating an important role while balancing life at home. When things began to feel overwhelming, she made the decision to speak up. She opened up to her manager about how she was feeling. “It’s important to remember that we’re all human, and sometimes we all need support,” she noted. “My leaders and colleagues were always there to lend a hand and encouraged me to prioritize what matters most. It’s something I will always love about IQVIA.” That conversation was a turning point for Laura. It reminded her that she didn’t have to carry everything alone, and that the right support can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

5. Stay focused on the impact you make

In the fast pace of clinical trials, it’s easy to focus on timelines and deliverables. But for Laura, real motivation comes from something bigger. “IQVIA really is such an important company. We foster change in developing and improving new treatments, and we are all fighting for a healthier world,” she explained. “It’s really rewarding seeing treatments we were involved in making a difference for patients.”

Laura stays connected to the impact she makes at IQVIA, making her work not just important but also deeply meaningful.

After 20 years, Laura’s advice for IQVIA candidates is simple:

“Don’t hesitate,” she said. “Just apply. You won’t regret it.”

Ready to put Laura’s lessons into action?