Employee Spotlight • Meet: Head of US Oncology Business Unit Stefanie Granado

Merging My Passions and Interests at Takeda

I joined Shire in 2014, where I began my career as General Manager (GM) in Switzerland and Iberia (Spain and Portugal). Shire had mainly a Rare Disease portfolio. While the patient populations were small, the impact on patient lives was profound. The patient stories motivated and inspired me greatly.

When Takeda acquired Shire in 2019, I continued as GM Iberia, where I led the region’s integration of the team and portfolio. It was during this time that I was introduced to the purpose and values, as well as culture, of Takeda. The following year, I was named Head of Oncology for Europe and Canada (EUCAN OBU), where I led the organization before assuming my current role of Head of the US Oncology Business Unit (US OBU) in April 2023.

Our primary focus is on patients—our top priority, and the foundation of our PTRB philosophy. Takeda’s purpose to create “better health for people, brighter future for the world” is very much aligned with my own. Our values drive everything we do, and that’s an essential part of finding work that ignites my spirit as well.

Career Milestones: Bringing Our Medicines to Market

One of the most meaningful things you can do in our industry is launch a new drug. During my time leading the EUCAN OBU, I was fortunate to spearhead the launch of a meaningful medicine in our lung portfolio. For my team, these moments are career milestones. Our greatest reward is when we can address an unmet medical need.

Now, as Head of the US OBU, I am energized to do even more. The U.S. is a critical market because of its size and number of patients, but also due to how quickly innovation benefits the patient. We’re evolving our model to meet this pace of innovation by personalizing our approach for different healthcare professionals, better leveraging our data and digital capabilities, and entering new treatment spaces. This is a very exciting time in Oncology.

Leadership Takes Authenticity and Vulnerability

Our goals are ambitious. The level of transformation required to meet these goals will take a lot of work and coordination. While we’re a 240-year old company, we remain agile, open to new ideas and ways of working, and have the appetite to evolve as a business. These attributes speak to our longevity.

I’m transparent and honest with where we are, where we’re going, and how I feel about it. People might be at different points in their personal and career journeys, but I find that open dialogue and transparency is critical to gaining and building trust.

Growth Takes Belief in Yourself

In German, there is an expression that has stuck with me: “Everyone cooks with water.” There is no magic ingredient to success. We are all human. I encourage my teams not to lose confidence along the journey. Stay humble and ask questions, remain confident in your abilities and remember what got you to where you are now.

Opportunities come when they come. You have to be ready to jump on them. It’s not always about the job title and level, it’s about the learning opportunities and experiences you gain. It’s about supportive managers who allow you to ask questions and mentors who share advice and honest conversations. You need the flexibility to jump on an opportunity when it arises, and then trust and believe in yourself to grow into the role and succeed.

It’s important to be transparent about your aspirations, too. If people know where you want to go, it’s easier for them to support you. Be honest with yourself, and with others. It’s this approach that has allowed me to develop as a professional and grow my career at Takeda.

If you’re someone looking to find work that fuels your spirit, Takeda Oncology can be that place. Explore a career with us today and help create better health for people and a brighter future for the world.

Stefanie Granado, Ph.D., is Head of the US Oncology Business Unit (US OBU) and a member of the Global Oncology Leadership Team. Stefanie has extensive pharmaceutical, healthcare and management consulting experience and, in her role today, leads Takeda’s efforts in the US to accelerate our capabilities, culture and commercialization of our medicines with life-transforming potential.