Gina Karamolegkou: The Thrill When Fear Becomes Opportunity

How embracing every "I'm not ready" moment accelerated my growth at Sanofi

On March 22, 2020 – I will never forget the date – I treated myself to a Sunday spa visit near where I live in northern Athens. A small celebration before starting my new role at Sanofi the next morning. Later that day, Sanofi confirmed what I'd been seeing on the news all day: Greece's countrywide lockdown would begin Monday. Instead of walking into a bustling Athens office, I'd be starting my Sanofi journey from a makeshift office at home. 

Did I worry? Of course. But for me, fear signals change, and change creates growth opportunities. You make the best decision with the knowledge you have, then treat the journey as a learning process.  

 This feeling of stepping into a new role that slightly worries you carried me through four roles in nearly five years at Sanofi: Medical Advisor for Immunology (March 2020), Medical Manager for Immunology in Greece (November 2022), Pipeline Medical Manager across seven Central and Southern Europe (CSE) countries (September 2023), and now Rare Diseases Manager for the CSE since October 2024. 

Inspiration from mentors

I can trace my path to biopharma starting with childhood curiosity and the relentless "why?" questions that tested slightly exasperated my parents’ patience during my childhood in Piraeus. That questioning mindset found the perfect outlet when I met Mr. Papaspyrou, my biology teacher at secondary school. He showed me how science could explain why the world works the way it does - and even change it.

People who love what they do can be truly inspiring. When you're open to that inspiration, it can transform your life. That biology classroom became my first glimpse into how understanding the human body could lead to a meaningful impact.

After completing my biology degree and Master's in Biomedicine at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, I joined Johnson & Johnson. It was an incredible learning environment with mentors I still maintain relationships with today. But when Sanofi approached me in early 2020, I jumped at the chance to help launch a promising molecule for dermatology that could help up to one million patients who previously had no treatment options.

Starting at Sanofi on the first day of quarantine wasn't precisely the onboarding I'd imagined. Nevertheless, it taught me agility and virtual collaboration that perfectly prepared me for later regional roles. It wasn't easy, but it created deeper connections with colleagues who shared the same vision.

I remember spending countless video-conferencing hours with Christina, my marketing partner in crime, working out how to make an impact in this new reality. When you experience that kind of safe, creative space, you can bring out the best in yourself. We finally met in person eight months later, and she remains my colleague today, as we are both in the field of rare diseases.

In Greece, Sanofi operates as a small affiliate with a strong collaborative spirit. People wear multiple metaphorical hats, which accelerates your growth exponentially. As one of my university mentors advised: "Sometimes the best ideas come from making the most with what you have in front of you.” That's a skill I've developed. 

Four roles and countless lessons on growing through the ‘I’m not ready’ feeling

I began as a Medical Advisor for dermatology, across the Central Southeast Europe (CSE) Region - but the molecule I was working with quickly expanded into multiple indications. Within Greece's lean structure, I managed the entire immunology portfolio for this therapy, handling everything from internal strategy to external stakeholder relationships with health authorities and reimbursement bodies.

The pandemic created visibility for people willing to collaborate and make an impact. When you demonstrate that combination consistently, opportunities tend to follow. Sometimes they arrive earlier than expected, and you must decide whether to seize them.

My pipeline role was the most challenging position I'd held - and where I grew quickly. I was working across seven countries, while authority remained with each local market, it taught me two essential lessons. First, you need supportive teams, and leaders, that trust your vision and give you space to execute it. Second, cross-country collaboration requires listening first and respecting cultural differences before building a shared vision.

Working across CSE fundamentally changed my mindset. What succeeds in one country might fail in another. But you start connecting the dots. The region's heterogeneity becomes an ideal learning ground that sharpens your judgment for those moments when you need to trust your instincts.

The diversity across our seven-strong multi-country organization (MCO) is a gift. We represent different cultures and thought processes, but if you're willing to listen before directing, you can build an extraordinary collective vision. People become engaged contributors rather than passive participants.

My transition to rare diseases was a complete departure from everything I knew. Different market dynamics, different strategies, different ecosystems. But that unfamiliarity was precisely why I chose it. Growth happens when you step into the unknown and trigger yourself to develop new capabilities.

In rare diseases, impact becomes even more visible. You're working with much smaller patient populations, collaborating closely with patient associations, and everything feels more patient centric.

My advice for ambitious talent to flourish

Working in the CSE region offers something unique: cross-border roles, international exposure, and genuine growth opportunities. It serves as a bridge between Western Europe and emerging markets, giving you experience that's invaluable for global pharmaceutical careers.

Whether you're starting your pharma journey or looking to expand internationally, CSE provides the perfect environment to develop cross-cultural competencies while contributing to therapies that transform patient lives.

Mentorship matters enormously to career development. I've had leaders who pushed me forward, and I aim to do the same for others. But growth requires personal responsibility, too. Before stepping into my MCO roles, I took improv lessons and completed an entrepreneurship course. Without that personal investment, I'm certain my performance would have suffered.

Above all, remember that titles may change at Sanofi, but our mission to improve lives doesn't. We're here to support colleagues and find solutions that serve patients. That's how you grow and create meaningful impact.

Heraclitus, my favorite ancient Greek philosopher, said: "No man can step in the same river twice – not the same river, not the same man." That's how I view change: it's constant, but nothing to fear. Ultimately, change is what makes growth possible.