By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent@StacyBrownMedia
Sheila Thorne, President and CEO of Multicultural Marketing Group, has earned a PharmaVOICE Magazine 2021 100 Most Inspiring People in the life-sciences industry.
The magazine noted it bases the recognition on how honorees have inspired and motivated people around them, their influence as corporate leaders, and their positive impact on the industry through innovation and positive actions.
“I’ve always said to myself that I don’t know if anyone is paying attention or listening, but I guess this is an indication that they have been listening and paying attention,” Thorne, an international expert on Health Inequities and Cultural Competency and former senior marketing executive, told NNPA Newswire.
While a formal event honoring Thorne and others occurs in the fall, the annual PharmaVOICE 100 issue features the native-New Yorker.
In a letter recognizing Thorne, the magazine’s co-founder and editor Taren Grom wrote that Thorne “is being recognized because of your inspirational qualities as well as your ability to view industry trends as opportunities, not obstacles.”
The letter continued:
“Your passion and conviction for the industry; your ability to innovate and think outside of the box and develop breakthrough strategies, products, and services; for pioneering new paths and lifting your company to new heights; for taking the time to mentor and guide the next generation of industry leaders; and for your dedication to improving the lives of patients.”
The PharmaVOICE feature article notes that “over her storied career, [Thorne] has worked with healthcare professionals around the world representing the top 50 pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies and 20 U.S. hospital systems in the clinical research and marketing of prescription medicines and consumer health products to people of color.”
“Anybody who has been in her presence for more than two minutes immediately recognizes that Sheila is a force of nature,” the editors wrote.
“She is undaunted by the word no, she is courageous in the face of adversity, and she simply ignores barriers that try to prevent her from advocating the ideals that she has been espousing for more than two decades.”
A former senior executive in five of the nation’s preeminent marketing, advertising, and communications companies, Thorne has guided her team of seasoned marketing and media professionals of color in her own company since 2003.
She also counts as a former middle school and high school teacher of foreign languages, and Thorne has represented Fortune 500 companies throughout North America, Latin America, and Western Europe.
“It’s very nice to be recognized by your peers,” Thorne stated.
“I’ve been doing this a long time, and not many do what I do. I’ve been on the ground, and I’ve gone to the communities and spoken to the leaders to figure out a way to have conversations that are culturally relevant and to be a force of change.”
Thorne continued: “When you know better, do better. I was pleased, surprised, humbled, and energized by this recognition, and that platform gives me a different voice, and I’m ready to hold people’s feet to the fire.”
