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‘Having a diverse workforce is powerful’: Maeve Power on working at the cutting edge of pharmaceutical manufacturing
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Maeve Power, senior director, site head of quality at Bristol Myers Squibb loves how her role provides opportunities for growth and learning.
Working in the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland, Maeve Power says, allows you to be part of large operations and exciting growth. Currently senior director, site head of quality at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), she was attracted to the company by the scale of its investment in biologics manufacturing, and the positive culture she had heard about from others.
“I’ve had four roles here in nine years,” she explains, “which has been made possible by the company’s strong commitment to internal movement, education and development. BMS genuinely focuses on what matters most: patients and people. Decisions are shaped by those priorities. Importantly, the company also invests in mentoring and networks that help employees progress, and in my experience, mentorship is one of the most important ways companies can create inclusive workplaces.”
Ensuring quality
Maeve’s role involves oversight of the manufacturing and operations to support product release, while also working across the wider BMS global network on product manufactured elsewhere. “My role is ultimately to ensure the quality of the product we produce for patients. Of course I cannot do that alone, so in practice it means working with cross-functional teams to ensure that site strategy, objectives and culture all support that goal.”
Being based at a manufacturing site, Maeve says she feels close to the important medicines that the company produces. “These are complex oncology and haematology treatments that require lengthy, technical processes and the highest standards of execution. There is huge satisfaction in knowing that we deliver quality products to patients and that we honour the trust they put in us.”
However, her days are not solely centred on manufacturing. “A large part of my role centres on people – making sure we have the right people with the right resources, and empowering colleagues to make decisions and escalate issues when needed.”
Women in the workplace
Although Maeve points out that her role is not necessarily a male-dominated one, with close to a 50:50 gender split at the site where she works, this is not something to take for granted. “As you progress in our industry, balance is not always maintained, and I sometimes find myself the only woman in a meeting or discussion. In those moments, I don’t think about it because I work in a culture where my voice is equal and valued. What I have become more conscious of is that visibility matters. I know I can be a representative for women earlier in their careers, and I hope my presence encourages them to step forward when opportunities arise.”
She’s also an advocate for the benefits of having a diverse workplace. “It is also important to acknowledge that women and men can approach opportunities and challenges differently. Those diverse perspectives are a strength, and ultimately lead to better outcomes. That’s why representation matters; it brings those different voices into the conversation. At BMS, networks such as B-NoW (Bristol Myers Squibb Network of Women) provide real space for women to connect, mentor and support each other. For me, that is where celebration becomes meaningful, when it helps women progress rather than simply being symbolic. Recognition must be authentic and born out of equal opportunity for all.”
Mentoring is one of the most powerful ways to support women in STEM, and I see it as a responsibility as much as an opportunity.
The importance of mentoring
Maeve acknowledges that she has had several important mentors throughout her life. Her own parents were the first. “I grew up in a family where my parents were equal partners in the home and set the tone that my siblings and I had ample and equal opportunities, sound guidance and a safe place to land if things didn’t work out.”
She also is thankful for a previous boss who advocated for her at a time when she didn’t feel ready to put herself forward. “He placed more belief in me than I did in myself, which in hindsight was exactly what I needed at the time. By encouraging me to consider opportunities I might not have put myself forward for, he helped me to progress, and I remain very grateful for that.”
More recently, thanks to a coaching programme BMS offers, she now understands the importance of reflection, recognising achievement, and giving grace to oneself. “I was inclined to dismiss positive feedback and focus on the aspects of my performance that I didn’t feel were optimum,” she explains. “On reflection and with a challenge from my coach I accepted that not all positive feedback could be wrong. I think it’s a pretty Irish response that we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but it’s not helpful to be unduly hard on yourself either. Recognising that we can deliver results in different ways has helped me better accept my strengths, even if I still have work to do on that.”
Mentorship is something that’s been important to Maeve throughout her career, and she is clear about its importance. “It is one of the most powerful ways to support women in STEM, and I see it as a responsibility as much as an opportunity.”
Nurturing future leaders
Maeve believes that creating a positive environment is at the heart of any success. For anyone who hopes to lead, she has plenty of advice. “Be open to opportunity and think broadly. Progress does not always equal promotion, gaining varied experience will ultimately help you achieve more sustainable success in the long term.”
She’s also clear that people are at the centre of everything. “Treat people well, take a genuine interest in the work and in the people, you work with. A strong network will help you and your team progress and navigate whatever challenges you face along the way. And finally, seek out mentors and role models, and be willing to be one yourself when the time comes. Those relationships can make all the difference in how you grow and how supported you feel on the journey.”
To learn more about Bristol Myers Squibb and its B-NOW PBRG initiative, visit bms.com/ie.
This article is funded by Bristol Myers Squibb
NO-IE-2600002 | February 2026
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