Mary Hirasawa
New York
Summary
Dynamic people leader with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical sector, driving business strategy through organizational effectiveness. Expert in leading in high-exposure and high-pressure environments with a focus on change management, talent strategy, high-performing teams, and culture building.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Director, Organizational Development, R&D
Pfizer, Inc.
New York
01.2024 - Current
- Lead culture, talent, and organizational effectiveness strategy across the research & development division.
- Set priorities to integrate with enterprise People Experience functions, to bring them seamlessly into the scientific community.
- Designed organizational change management and culture re-engagement plans and resources across 10,000+ employee global R&D organization during workforce reduction exercise.
- Led senior leadership teams in building a functional vision and clear pathway to contribute to the delivery of our enterprise mission to ‘Deliver Breakthroughs that Change Patient’s Lives.’
- Led launch of people manager community across 2,600 people managers to enhance skill building, best practice sharing, and a supportive community of experts.
Sr. Director, People Experience (HR) Lead, R&D
Pfizer, Inc.
New York
04.2019 - 01.2024
- Executive partner to Leadership teams of global research organizations in a variety of work environments including lab-based, corporate offices and hybrid or remote work.
- Core Clients Included: Vaccine R&D, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Global Clinical Supply, Global Regulatory Sciences, R&D Operations, Worldwide Medical & Safety, External Sciences
- Led people functions through intense growth mode of vaccine research and development (250%+ growth over 24 months) to support COVID-19 related portfolio and subsequent evolution to steady state.
- Conducted strategic review of retention levers in intensely competitive science-based talent markets:
- Compensation review of all research roles resulting in targeted adjustments to ensure competitiveness of salary and benefit offerings.
- New People Manager skill building program to target needs of growth environments.
- Succession planning for key roles with highest retention concerns and associated risk mitigation plans containing both internal and external solutions.
- Leadership coaching program to accelerate development of next layer of leaders.
- Led leadership team through unique cultural challenges of extreme external exposure of COVID-19 vaccine and Paxlovid therapeutic research including media training and security education.
- People leader through both acquisitions and divestures, requiring strategic usage of engagement and retention levers to meet deal needs.
Director, HR Lead and Organizational Development
Pfizer, Inc.
New York
06.2018 - 04.2019
- Strategic HR leader for development organizations bringing medicines from clinical trials to commercialization.
- Clients Included: Portfolio & Project Management, Global Center of Excellence, and Global Development
- Quality supporting three senior leadership teams.
- Launched divisional culture team to implement key initiatives to drive a culture of collaboration and togetherness, including the implementation of a global manager forum and new recognition vehicle.
- Led clients through organizational re-design to streamline decision making, while achieving all established savings targets.
Director, Talent and Organizational Effectiveness
Pfizer, Inc.
New York
11.2015 - 06.2018
- Consultant to Commercial Business (Pfizer Essential Health) and HR leaders regarding Talent, Culture, and Organizational Effectiveness
- Designed onboarding plan for new commercial leaders, appointed through acquisition, with key milestones, high-performing team principles, and long-term team effectiveness assessment strategy.
- Designed and executed a new talent strategy to reach across regions to develop the needed future capabilities to meet long- and short-term business strategies.
- Performed organizational diagnostics and implemented resulting interventions to address gaps in talent, diversity inequities, leadership, processes, structure, and governance.
Director, Global Talent Acquisition Operations
Pfizer, Inc.
New York
08.2013 - 10.2015
- Managed the Operations team (6 colleagues in 3 countries) to drive cutting edge talent acquisition strategies through analytics, technology, employer branding, and social media.
- Led Cross-Functional Teams on the following key projects:
- Development of mobile responsive website to search/apply for jobs
- Redesign of external careers website
- Introduction of strategic analytics tracking to focus on quality of hire
- Implementation of new video interviewing technology
Manager - Sr. Manager, Global Compensation
Pfizer, Inc.
New York
08.2008 - 08.2013
- Led the global compensation strategy for the Supply Organization and Pfizer Essential Health (Commercial Division).
- Advised business leadership and the HR community on strategic total rewards programs and decisions.
Human Resources Management Associate
Pfizer, Inc.
New York
07.2006 - 08.2008
- Series of 3 rotations focused on HR partnership, special projects, and leadership development across the enterprise.
- Rotations supporting clients in Finance, Emerging Markets Commercial, and Manufacturing.
HR Leadership Development Program/ Associate
Avery Dennison
Greensboro
02.2005 - 06.2006
HR Leadership Development Program/Intern
Avery Dennison
Pasadena
05.2004 - 08.2004
Education
Master of Labor Relations and Human Resources -
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Michigan
Herrmann Brain Facilitator Certification
Herrmann International
Skills
- Executive consultation
- Team effectiveness
- Change management
- Talent strategy
- Leadership coaching
- Workforce planning
- Employee engagement
Timeline
Sr. Director, Organizational Development, R&D
Pfizer, Inc.
01.2024 - Current
Sr. Director, People Experience (HR) Lead, R&D
Pfizer, Inc.
04.2019 - 01.2024
Director, HR Lead and Organizational Development
Pfizer, Inc.
06.2018 - 04.2019
Director, Talent and Organizational Effectiveness
Pfizer, Inc.
11.2015 - 06.2018
Director, Global Talent Acquisition Operations
Pfizer, Inc.
08.2013 - 10.2015
Manager - Sr. Manager, Global Compensation
Pfizer, Inc.
08.2008 - 08.2013
Human Resources Management Associate
Pfizer, Inc.
07.2006 - 08.2008
HR Leadership Development Program/ Associate
Avery Dennison
02.2005 - 06.2006
HR Leadership Development Program/Intern
Avery Dennison
05.2004 - 08.2004
Master of Labor Relations and Human Resources -
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Michigan
Herrmann Brain Facilitator Certification
Herrmann International