ImBlackInPharma | Dr. Huwaida Bulhan, MD, MPH

Dr. Huwaida Bulhan, MD, MPH

Scientific Operations Lead | Head of Corporate Risk and Sustainability (LTO) Chapter East Africa

My journey into pharma was not a straight line. It began with a passion for medicine, frustration with limited clinical care options, and an interest in public health. It then evolved into a commitment to make innovative treatments accessible to patients everywhere, including those in regions that have historically been underserved.

As a Black woman in this industry, I have learned that representation matters and so does persistence. My work has taken me from clinical practice to leading groundbreaking trials in Sub-Saharan Africa, shaping partnerships with governments, and mentoring the next generation of scientists and leaders. What drives me every day is a simple belief: when patients thrive, communities thrive.

Can you describe your role in simple terms for someone unfamiliar with the industry?

At our organization, I lead Scientific Operations for East Africa, which covers Medical Affairs and affiliated roles like Regulatory, Compliance, and Patient Safety, as well as leading Clinical Research Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa.

In simple terms, my role is about making sure patients, wherever they are in the world, can access safe and effective medicines. I act as a bridge between science, research and development of new therapies, healthcare systems, and the communities we serve, ensuring that innovation truly reaches the people who need it most.

Day to day, I work with a wide range of partners: doctors and researchers who design and run clinical trials and are involved in direct patient care, our own globally based colleagues who bring cutting-edge therapies to life, government agencies that shape health policies, and patient groups who share invaluable perspectives on their lived experiences. My job is to bring these voices together so that medicines are not only developed, safe, and efficacious, but also delivered in a way that fits real-world needs.

What makes this role exciting is its diversity. One day, I may be collaborating with global scientific teams on trial design, and the next I may be sitting with a ministry of health or listening to patient advocates in their communities. Every interaction is a reminder that science only matters when it improves lives. For me, the greatest reward is seeing how collaboration and innovation can remove barriers and open doors to better health for people who might otherwise be left behind. 

If you had to pitch pharma as a career path to someone on the fence, what would you say?

Pharma is one of the few industries where your daily work can directly change and even save lives. Many lives. At its heart, this field is about improving human health, which makes it an incredibly meaningful career choice. I didn’t initially plan to work in pharma; my early career focused on clinical practice and public health. But I soon realized that by moving into this space, I could multiply my impact: not just treating one patient at a time, but shaping systems and solutions that reach thousands, even millions.

A defining moment for me was leading the first industry-sponsored Oncology and Rare Disease clinical trials in Sub-Saharan Africa for products in development, something many felt was still very aspirational and probably a decade too early. That experience showed me how pharma can open new frontiers, bringing opportunities, infrastructure, and life-saving treatments to communities that had historically been overlooked. It was proof that the work we do here is not abstract; it really does change lives in real time.

What many people do not realize is that pharma is not only for scientists in lab coats. The industry thrives on diverse skills: policy, project management, community engagement, data, and more. It is dynamic, fast-paced, and innovative, constantly adapting to new science and growing patient needs.

If you want a career where purpose and impact go hand in hand, pharma is worth exploring.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice before entering this industry, what would it be?

I would tell my younger self, "Be bold, your voice matters. You matter!". When I first entered the industry, I sometimes questioned whether I belonged in certain rooms, especially in global settings where I was often the only Black African woman wearing a headscarf at the table. Over time, I learned that my unique perspective was not a limitation but a strength. It allowed me to raise questions others hadn’t considered and to push for solutions that reflected the realities of patients in underserved regions.

A huge turning point for me was leading those first industry-sponsored clinical trials in Sub-Saharan Africa for therapies still in development, figuring out uncharted waters. At the start, I felt the weight of being a pioneer and the constant stress of thinking “I cannot make a mistake, all eyes are on me,” but I also realized that progress only happens when someone is willing to step forward. My younger sister’s voice constantly rang in my head: “If not you, then who? If not now, then when?”

That experience taught me that courage and authenticity are just as important as technical expertise in this field.

For anyone entering pharma today, my advice is this: don’t underestimate the value of your background, your experiences, and your ideas. The industry needs diverse voices to drive meaningful change. Bring your whole self to the table, keep learning, and remember that every contribution, big or small, has the potential to shape better health outcomes for patients.

What would you say are the most important skills needed to progress into leadership roles in pharma?

I believe five core skills make the biggest difference in progressing into leadership: adaptability, communication, strategic thinking, empathy, and mentorship.

Adaptability is critical because pharma is constantly evolving, science advances, regulations shift, and patient needs change. Leaders who can pivot and stay resilient in uncertainty will thrive.

Communication is equally important. As leaders, we need to translate complex science into language that policymakers, patients, and communities can understand. Early in my career, I learned that success is not just about what you know, but how effectively you can share it with others.

Strategic thinking allows you to see beyond the immediate task to the bigger picture. For example, when I was building the strategy for industry-sponsored clinical trials in Sub-Saharan Africa, it was not just about running studies and getting data. It was about building infrastructure, nurturing partnerships, and creating a foundation for future research. It was about shaping the ecosystem so all healthcare players could see their part and find their role and purpose. That long-term vision made the initiative sustainable.

Empathy grounds leadership in purpose. Pharma ultimately serves people, not just markets. Leaders who listen, whether to patients, their teams, or the CEOs of health institutions and governments, build trust and design solutions that truly work.

Finally, mentorship is essential. Leadership is not only about reaching your own goals but about creating pathways for others. Some of my most meaningful moments have come from mentoring younger professionals and watching them grow into leaders themselves. I, in turn, learn so much from their perspectives and journeys.

For anyone aspiring to leadership, these skills are not innate; they are developed over time through practice, feedback, and a commitment to growth.

What has been your most empowering moment as a Black professional in pharma? (#BlackInPharma)

Two moments stand out equally in shaping my sense of empowerment in this industry. The first was meeting a patient with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who enrolled in a clinical trial I helped lead, at a time when many people thought that a debilitating, rare disease like MS did not exist in Africa. When he joined, he was unable to walk and feared losing his independence entirely. Within a year of starting treatment, he had regained muscle function, could walk again, and was standing in a room full of people sharing his experience. Seeing his transformation reminded me that clinical research is never just about numbers or protocols; it is about restoring dignity, hope, and possibility to people’s lives. That day, I was sitting at the back of the room, unable to control my tears. I have been a patient who was told there was no hope in my situation, and I have never wanted another person to feel the way I had felt. That moment grounded me in the “why” behind this work.

The second was being honored with the Global Icon Award in 2024 by the OneWe Reach (formerly WOCIP) organization. While deeply humbling, it was also profoundly symbolic. It was not only recognition of my contributions but a validation of African leadership and Black excellence on the global stage. Standing there, I felt both pride and responsibility to continue breaking barriers and to create space for others to follow.

Together, these experiences represent the dual empowerment of this journey: the ability to impact an individual patient’s life tangibly, and the opportunity to influence how the industry sees and values diverse leadership.

Any Parting Words?

Looking back, what stands out most are not just the milestones but the people: the patients who remind me why access to innovation matters, the colleagues who share the vision of more inclusive healthcare, and the young professionals I have had the privilege to mentor. Being Black in pharma means carrying both pride and responsibility, pride in the progress we have made and responsibility to keep the doors open wider for those who come after us.

I hope that my story shows what is possible and inspires others to bring their full selves into this industry, because it is through diverse voices and bold leadership that we create lasting change for patients and for the world.