Blog

Name:   Mary Kate Renaud
Title:    Effectiveness Project Manager 
Organization:    Express Scripts
Sector:   Strategic Initiatives

1)     How did you get started in project management?

My first pass at Project Management was right out of college. I worked at a marketing agency as a PM intern, which was enjoyable, but I ended up choosing a different path in the beginning of my career. I got back into Project Management at the advice and coaching of one of my all-time favorite managers, Peter Rosomoff. I worked for him in his Strategic Analytics department for two years where he challenged me with projects that developed my PM skills. He continually pushed me to develop this skill set, which ultimately landed me in the Strategic Initiatives department with the PM’s that manage our Operations Initiatives at Express Scripts.

2)      What is your favorite project that you worked on or would like to work on?

Does planning my wedding count? Outside of that, my favorite project I’ve worked on is the Retention arm of a large portfolio of projects to grow the Express Scripts pharmacy. Retention is specifically focused on retaining the patients that we currently serve. It’s a fast-paced initiative full of pilots and new and exciting ideas. We’re constantly able to share results which keeps the positive momentum going. It’s hard to have a more fun project than that!

3)      What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is setting the team up for success and then reporting on their successes. Organizing the steps that the team needs to take in order to successfully execute on their work and then reporting on their successes makes me feel proud and accomplished. I’m often in awe of the subject matter experts that I am lucky enough to work with so helping them to be successful and then highlighting their work is highly rewarding.

4)      Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 3-5 years?

In the next 5 years or so I hope to have gained a significant amount of Pharmacy Operations knowledge and progressed in my career here at Express Scripts. I hope to be working alongside the bright minds that are mentoring me now. Maybe I’ll also be lucky enough to mentor someone else in the early stages of their Project Management career.

5)    Who is a leader that you admire and why?

There are many leaders than I admire for a variety of reasons. Most recently I have developed an admiration for Susan Peppers, VP of Pharmacy Practice at Express Scripts. Susan is leading a large initiative that I’m PM’ing. I admire her knowledge of our industry and her ability to boil down lofty and complex goals into focused objectives. And, of course, I find a woman excelling in a leadership position to be highly admirable.