Meet Virginia Pasquali: Manager, Project Quality ＆ Risk Management - Argentina

"I love the inspiring ideas that come from my co-workers. This inspiration forces me to push myself creatively and grow professionally."

Virginia Pasquali shares what it is like working at Parexel and how it has given her the opportunity to meet with a wide range of creative-minded people and this is what keeps her on her toes. She also tells us that the best career or job is the one in which you are using the skills that you enjoy. Use every job as an opportunity to learn something new and keep an open mind. She thinks that this last year she has grown more than ever at work. She has learned to be resilient to any situation in life, but also at work!

• Please introduce yourself and your role at Parexel.

Hello, I am Virginia Pasquali. I am Senior Project Quality and Risk Lead based in Argentina.

• How would you describe what it’s like to work at Parexel and specifically Parexel Argentina?

Working at Parexel Argentina is feeling at home. I have been working at Parexel for 9 years and I have only worked a very short time in the office, 3 months to be exact and I then continued working home-based. Working from home I have never felt alone. In the two work teams I have been part of (Operations for 3 years and Quality for 6 years) I have always felt so supported in each decision. This is because of how we, the 'Argentines' are. We are professionals, close, friendly, and very helpful.

I started working in the Buenos Aires office and my husband had a work opportunity in our childhood town. Parexel Argentina gave me the opportunity to work decentralized and move back to my home town after only 3 months of being with the company. It was always my dream to return to my little town with my family and I am always so grateful for this opportunity. In Parexel your dreams really do come true!

• What advice would you provide to future candidates when they apply/start?

The best career or job is the one in which you are using the skills that you enjoy. Use every job as an opportunity to learn something new and keep an open mind. 

Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. No one got to where they are today without help along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and then remember to return the favor.

• What excites you most about the work you do?

I am motivated and energized by the great teamwork within Quality Argentina/LATAM. I am excited when I know that my work style has influenced someone or the study team to understand the quality importance: provide end-to-end quality services that drive excellence in execution. Using innovation, critical thinking, and a risk-based approach to quality performance, our team enables transparency and predictable project quality. 

In Parexel Argentina I had excellent mentors who helped me to get where I’m today and understand the above values. To give that experience in return is incredibly motivating.

• How has working at Parexel supported your personal development?

Working at Parexel has given me the opportunity to meet with a wide range of creative-minded people and this is what keeps me on my toes. I love the inspiring ideas that come from my co-workers. This inspiration forces me to push myself creatively and grow professionally.

I am excited about opportunities to grow myself professionally and in Parexel Argentina. My current line manager allowed me to attend the portfolio quality leads meetings in the past, and it has groomed me for an opportunity to be assigned as portfolio quality lead (PFQL). Now I am currently assigned as regional PFQL of one large account. 

Being considered for extended learning is very motivating for me. Initially, it can be challenging working outside of your comfort zone, but the outcome is amazing. 

• How has Parexel supported you during the pandemic?

My line manager and all my team members, demonstrate genuine recognition and appreciation, opening lines of communication and accessibility when needed.

At the beginning of the lockdown in Argentina, without school, the nanny left us... you can imagine my humor and my first thought: ‘How will I work with my kids at home?’ I have a son who is 9 years old and a daughter who is 4 years old.

The reaction from my Line Manager was, ‘Please paste a note on your computer with: The most important thing is to keep your family safe.’

Now more than a year later, we are still without the nanny or school. However, I learned to work with my children, and they learned to prepare the breakfast, to make the bed 😊 and we became much stronger as a family. At the same time, I think that this last year I grew more than ever to be resilient to any situation in life, but also at work! I have also learned to be more confident with my job-related decisions and in my daily work.

• What is the most important thing you have learned in the past year?

The summary of what I have learned in this past year is that nothing is impossible. Just do it!

• Why do you choose to work in the clinical research industry?

If you choose to pursue a career in clinical research, you can be sure that you'll make a difference in people’s lives. I have more than nineteen years of experience in Clinical Research (half of my life) and I’m more and more fascinated with our work. We work with heart! 

• Tell me something most people don’t know about you.

I learned to swim 3 years ago 😊. I was afraid of water, but I put my fear in the pocket and finally learned to swim before my 40s.

• What do you enjoy when you’re not at work?

Run! I love to run…like Forrest Gump 😊.

©Photos by Virginia Pasquali