Prudence Selani’s story isn’t just a corporate biography; it’s a testament to the power of resilience and a burning desire to make a difference. Hailing from the vibrant streets of Soweto, Johannesburg, Prudence has carved a path from her community to the cutting-edge world of Sanofi, a global healthcare leader. Her journey is as inspiring as it is impactful, a story of a Black South African woman who has become a champion for health equity and transformation.
Soweto, a place pulsating with history and a deep sense of community, instilled in Prudence a dedication to purpose. This purpose fuels her every step, from her early career to her current role as Head of External Affairs at Sanofi. In this role, she isn’t just leading a department; she’s ensuring innovative treatments reach the patients who need them most, impacting lives not just on an individual level, but across families and communities.
Prudence’s path to Sanofi wasn’t linear. Before navigating the complexities of the pharmaceutical industry, she honed her skills at the Credit Bureau of South Africa. Serving as Executive Director, she tackled the challenge of making credit accessible to the underserved, a pursuit that mirrored her current mission of ensuring healthcare access. It was this desire for a “greater challenge” that drew her to Sanofi, where she could directly influence policies and advocate for patients.
At Sanofi, Prudence thrives in a fast-paced environment. The company’s mission to “chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives” deeply resonates with her. Since joining Sanofi, she has witnessed the company’s growth and the development of a robust pipeline of treatments that have the potential to significantly impact countless lives.
Sanofi’s determination to find answers for patients resonates deeply with Prudence. She has witnessed the company’s growth and the development of a robust pipeline of treatments. Sanofi’s commitment to patients extends beyond developing therapies. It also provides support and advocacy programs, educational materials, and other resources to inform and empower patients and their families. Prudence realized very early in her career at Sanofi the importance of this pillar in Sanofi’s Patient Support strategy. She has worked relentlessly in ensuring that the right support is provided to Patient Advocacy Groups that are the voice of patients.
For Prudence, it’s not just about the science; it’s about the human impact. She’s a leader who champions a shift in how healthcare is approached, ensuring future treatments reach those who need them most. As Head of External Affairs, Prudence wears many hats. One day, she’s briefing the media on a groundbreaking new molecule; the next, she’s lobbying policymakers for improved patient access programs. Her ability to bridge the gap between complex medical advancements and clear communication is paramount. She believes in being a leader who serves, leading with both strategy and empathy. This nurturing leadership style, she argues, is often a hallmark of women leaders.
Like during her time at the credit bureau, her role is to drive transformation. Sanofi’s vision is to reflect the diversity of its communities, unleash the full potential of employees, and transform healthcare to be more inclusive and equitable. “It’s only when we bring the best of our best selves every day, that we can work miracles,” says Prudence. This is especially true for South Africa, where previously disenfranchised communities need to feel included irrespective of gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, and background. Prudence has been responsible for the launch of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), both in South Africa and across Sanofi’s offices across the African continent. These groups, led by employees, work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace. It is about having a shared understanding of what’s most important to all that improves our collective capacity to do our best for patients and communities.
Prudence is the current Gender ERG lead for Africa. She takes pride in the achievements to date with 68% of Senior Management in South Africa being female. Sanofi is currently ranked in the top 25 companies globally, by EQUILEAP, that are making progress in gender equality. Prudence has also ensured that Sanofi is part of the conversation on Gender Equity, forming part of forums like We Connect, which helps drive spend in women-owned businesses and UN Women COP aimed at driving gender equity. Sanofi has also sponsored conferences and other platforms aimed at driving change.
One of Prudence’s biggest achievements at Sanofi has been championing diversity in clinical trials and talent recruitment. Clinical trials allow researchers to determine whether a new way to prevent or treat a disease is safe and effective for human beings. This critical stage of creating a new medicine or vaccine follows many years, sometimes decades of research, help advance science and medicine toward new treatments and healthier communities.
Sanofi research and development teams are working directly with patient communities to fully understand their priorities, experiences, needs, and challenges. By listening and focusing on translating patient insights into actions, from the earliest stages of development through clinical trials and beyond, researchers can develop new healthcare solutions with meaningful outcomes, address unmet needs, and improve health-related quality of life.
Balancing the demands of her career with motherhood is a constant challenge, one that Prudence acknowledges with refreshing honesty. Transparency is key in her household. Her children understand when she’s busy and for how long, and when she’s present, she’s truly present. This dedication to quality time, even if it’s just a single, impactful hour, allows her to excel in both spheres.
What truly motivates Prudence, and her team is the tangible impact they create. Witnessing the hope, a new drug brings to a patient’s eyes, the first transformative infusion – these are the moments that fuel their relentless pursuit of innovation.
Sanofi’s commitment to patients extends beyond developing therapies. It also provides support and advocacy programmes, educational materials, and other resources to inform and empower patients and their families. Prudence realised very early in her career at Sanofi on the importance of this pillar in Sanofi’s Patient Support strategy. She has worked relentlessly in ensuring that the right support id provided to Patient Advocacy Groups that are the voice of patients.
Prudence’s ambitions extend far beyond her current role. She aspires to climb even higher, to a global platform where her influence can reach even more communities. Shaping global healthcare policy is a dream she actively pursues. Working with organizations like the UN or WHO is a natural extension of her mission.
Prudence is mindful of the challenges that come with the numerous hats she wears. Navigating the corporate landscape and ensuring that her voice is heard and has impact is something she has had to learn over the years. “That actually took me a while to try and understand and create that impact that I wanted to create,” Prudence says. She was always conscious of the need to represent diverse groups. Those previously marginalised constantly look up to leaders from similar backgrounds to create opportunities for them, to represent them. “How do you do that if you are in a minority? Navigating those spaces can be really complex, overwhelming, and challenging.” She had to extend her network outside of her family to find mentorship, which would guide her on the path and where she needed to go. “It has been a journey,” Prudence says. “Now, I’m making it my responsibility to become a mentor to others who are approaching me, because I understand not all of us have those opportunities because our parents had the opportunities of being executives in organizations.”
Philanthropy is woven into the very fabric of Prudence’s being. She’s a giver by nature, offering her time and mentorship readily. Her definition of success has evolved over time. Once focused on personal achievement, it’s now firmly rooted in societal impact. Leaving a legacy that continues to improve lives long after her is the ultimate measure of success for her. She is not alone in this pursuit. Together with her colleagues across some 100 countries, Sanofi is taking on some of the world’s most pressing challenges to build a healthier, more resilient world. One way Sanofi is making an impact is through its Global Health Unit. The Global Health Unit, through a unique, non-profit healthcare model, is improving access to Sanofi’s quality treatments and strengthening health systems through local partnerships, training and investments. It is driven by Sanofi’s belief that everyone should have access to healthcare, no matter where they live. To date it has changed 2 million lives in 40 low-income countries.
For aspiring women leaders in pharma, Prudence’s message is clear: Read voraciously, learn from those who have blazed the trail before you, and find mentors who can challenge and support you in navigating the complexities of the industry. Remember, collaboration is key. Your brilliance is undeniable, but honing your emotional intelligence is equally important.
Prudence’s success isn’t measured by titles or accolades. Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and a relentless pursuit of impact. It’s a story that inspires and a career that paves the way for a more equitable and healthier future.
