Gladys Nuñez •  Biotech Venture Capitalist

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I am a

BIOTECH INVESTOR

Gladys Nuñez

Presented by 
LABCENTRAL IGNITE + AMGEN FOUNDATION
MY LIFE
MY PATH
MY WORK
FOR YOU 
MY PATH

How I became a bookworm, ADVOCATE & biotech INVESTOR.

MAJOR INFLUENCES

  • Public Libraries in NYC

    From the first time I went to a public library in New York City, I was hooked. Being able to borrow books for free opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me.

  • My Father and Sister

    When I was applying for colleges and everyone else was trying to stop me, my sister encouraged me to keep going. At one point, my father took me aside to tell me how proud he was of me. Having their support made a big difference.

  • Studying Abroad

    In my culture, it was really unusual for a single woman to leave her home, much less the country her family lived in. Studying abroad in England opened my horizons and expanded my idea of what was possible for me.

  • Mentors

    I’ve had some incredible mentors, including the woman who urged me to work in the venture capital space, and the boss who encouraged me to speak up in meetings. Great leaders make a difference.

I was never bound to one specific path in science.

I’ve changed direction so many times I’ve lost count. And I’m glad I did. I worked in the service industry, then a hospital, became a scientist, got into business development, and eventually transitioned into investing and venture capital. Opening myself up to a wide variety of experiences paid off as it helped me become a more well-rounded and thoughtful investor and leader.

Major Milestones

Leaving home for College

I went to school for biology, but by sophomore year, I’d transitioned to pre-med.

Living Abroad

My study abroad experience introduced me to organic chemistry, my first step toward biotechnology. Later when I lived and worked in the UK, it further opened my mind to new careers and possibilities.

Arriving at Amgen

I started in the lab and followed my interests into different roles. Although I’ve worn many hats during my career here, I found a passion in venture capital investing.

Things I learned

along the way:

  • Don't let others hold you back.

    My family comes from a culture where it’s often assumed that women will stay close to home, and I didn’t always have the career support that my peers did. There weren’t any scientists or engineers in my family that I could look to as role models, so it as up to me to figure out how to make it happen.

  • Take a break when you need it.

    Science can be hard work. When I graduated as a pre-med student, I was burnt out. Giving myself time to take a break and reset led to the insights I needed to make the best next choices for my career.

  • Don't be afraid to ask for help.

    Being a scientist, I was often part of a team. Some tasks were my responsibility, but I had to remember that I was part of something bigger—one piece of a larger puzzle. If I got stuck and didn’t ask for help, it could impact the whole project.

  • Everyone's voice matters.

    All of our perspectives can contribute to science, but we have to be willing to speak up. Especially in investing spaces, the default is often thought of as bankers and white men from Wall Street. That's not the reality, and now when I show up in the room, I know that using my voice helps break those stereoypes.

MY WORK →

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PHOTOGRAPHER: Chris Disario • Illustrator: Hala Al-Abbasi

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