Amanda Reyes: Making an Impact Beyond the Office

How Sanofi supports professional growth and community service

Amanda, Senior Area Business Manager in San Diego, makes meaningful community contributions while building a rewarding career. From disaster relief in California to mentoring young scientists and joining the global stage at the Paris Olympics, each experience can deepen your sense of purpose – and help your career take root and thrive.

When wildfires devastated parts of California in early 2025, Amanda Reyes and her Sanofi colleagues mobilized quickly to help affected families. As part of We Volunteer, she helped lead efforts to assemble essential care packages for those displaced from their homes.

We Volunteer is Sanofi's company-wide volunteering initiative, giving every employee the opportunity to support causes they care about – locally or globally. The program provides up to two paid days off per year for volunteering (called Volunteering Time-Off, or VTO), plus access to a global platform connecting Sanofians with a range of NGO partners.

"We partnered with charity Convoy of Hope to build packages with feminine care products, hygiene items, and even uplifting games," explains Amanda. "We'd write encouraging words on decks of cards, then mail these kits for distribution to families who had lost everything."

These experiences highlight part of Sanofi's culture: a commitment to supporting employees' passion for community service alongside their professional development.

From Paris Olympics to local impact

Amanda's volunteering through Sanofi reached a global scale in 2024 when she participated in the Paris Olympics as part of one of its most significant international volunteering initiatives.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," she reflects. "I was able to meet people from around the world and learn about different cultures, which broadened my understanding of myself and others."

Assigned to cycling events, Amanda found herself literally on the race course. "I helped guide and protect pedestrians along the route. I had the winner zoom right past me at a corner. I even learned to tell people to get off their bikes in French."

Closer to home, Amanda leads various community projects as a DuGood Ambassador for Sanofi's West Zone, coordinating volunteer opportunities for approximately 60 colleagues across the Western United States. She was selected for this role after being recognized as Volunteer of the Month in April 2024.

Sanofi has even helped Amanda discover local volunteer opportunities aligned with her personal interests. "I'm a scuba diver with a passion for ocean conservation," she explains. "Through Sanofi's volunteer portal, I found the Ocean Discovery Institute here in San Diego. I participate in virtual 'Ask a Scientist' lunches where children can ask questions while they eat. With my chemistry background, I teach them about science and what I do professionally."

Building a career through leadership development

Amanda's professional journey demonstrates how Sanofi's commitment to developing internal talent creates pathways for meaningful career advancement.

Her contributions as Senior Area Business Manager for Sanofi's dermatology division earned her the West Zone MVP Award in 2022 – a peer-voted recognition for the teammate who brought the most value to the region. This achievement taught her a crucial lesson about career progression.

"If you truly advocate for yourself, lead, and contribute with impact, you will build the momentum to get where you want to go at Sanofi," she says. "The right leaders will notice you."

When her manager was promoted, Amanda found herself at a crossroads. Rather than waiting for opportunities, she decided to forge her own development path, reaching out to mentors outside her direct line of leadership. This proactive approach opened doors to interview for multiple Field Development Manager positions – a first-line leader development opportunity that supports entire therapeutic area zones.

Her efforts paid off when she was promoted with a stretch assignment to Field Development Manager for the West Pulmonology Zone, a role that allows her to impact patients' lives on a broader scale while developing the leadership skills needed for future positions like Regional Business Director.

Leading with intention and impact

In her new leadership role, Amanda has discovered her authentic leadership style through hands-on experience managing teams and driving results across a larger territory.

"As Field Development Manager for the West Zone Pulmonology team, I've stepped into the kind of leadership experience I've been looking for – one that allows me to grow, contribute at a broader level, and continue developing the skills I'll need for future roles," she explains.

Amanda's approach emphasizes substance over visibility. "My leadership is inclusive, intentional, and rooted in impact versus visibility. I lead by observing, listening, and understanding the full system before acting. True leadership begins with intentional words and is proven through consistent action. That's how you build trust, create space for others, and deliver meaningful, lasting results."

This philosophy extends beyond business metrics to supporting the whole person – both professionally and personally. "I believe everyone should bring their best selves to work. If I can help someone thrive in their personal life, I know they'll bring that energy to their professional role."

The leadership development experience has reinforced what Amanda values most about Sanofi's culture: the combination of professional growth opportunities with meaningful community impact.

"This journey couldn’t have happened without mentors like Teanikia for opening doors for me, and leaders like Kris Sierra, who gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge and lead at a broader scale," she reflects. "Their guidance has been instrumental in helping me grow into the leader I want to be."

For Amanda, success at Sanofi comes from embracing both professional challenges and community service opportunities. "Sanofi makes it easy to advance professionally while also creating meaningful opportunities to make an impact beyond your job. That combination is what makes working here so fulfilling."