Luisa Carrano never imagined where her IQVIA journey would take her — but each unexpected turn led to growth, opportunity and a thriving career. Discover how she made the most of every moment.

When Luisa Carrano walked into IQVIA eight and a half years ago as an administrative coordinator, she never imagined where that first step would lead. Her plan was to become a social researcher, but life had other ideas — and sometimes, those ideas are better than the ones we make ourselves. Today, Luisa has grown her career at IQVIA into her current role as marketing manager. Her career path has been anything but linear — and that’s exactly what makes it special.

In her own words, here are five ways Luisa has grown at IQVIA:

1. I built a foundation of trust and accountability

When I joined IQVIA, I brought experience from my time as an NHS receptionist — but stepping into a global organization was a whole new challenge, supporting a wider range of administrative tasks and managing invoicing responsibilities. I focused on delivering precision and reliability in every task, which opened the door to an executive assistant role. Suddenly, I was managing diaries for senior leaders and coordinating large-scale events with the Global Supply and EMEA teams. Supporting executive leadership gave me a front-row seat to strategic decision-making, building connections and taught me that trust and proactive problem-solving are key to unlocking growth.

2. I turned curiosity into capability

During the COVID-19 lockdown, I asked for more responsibility from my teams. The Global Supply team invited me to explore website performance and audience engagement through Google Analytics, uncovering insights that connected metrics to event success. This stretch assignment sparked a new passion: marketing! It was also proof that curiosity can open doors to entirely new career paths.

3. I took a bold step toward a new career path

In 2022, I turned that passion into action by applying for an internal role in the Marketing team. Becoming a marketing associate was a defining moment — it helped me realize meaningful career moves are possible when you’re open to learning and willing to take risks. I brought my analytics expertise into the role as a new project, refined how we measure success and deepened my love for event management.

4. I learned to create experiences that matter

I lead logistics for more than 50 events annually, including flagship gatherings like the Health Equity Summit and NHS ConfedExpo. Planning logistics for these high-profile events has taught me how to create spaces that fuel collaboration and conversations that shape healthcare. IQVIA’s mission to create a healthier world for everyone, everywhere, is at the heart of these events, and it is rewarding to help bring them to life.

5. I achieved a milestone — and I’m still growing

This year, I was promoted to marketing manager, a milestone that represents years of growth, resilience and the unwavering support of incredible colleagues and mentors at IQVIA. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, especially the meaningful relationships I’ve built across the business, which have shaped who I am today. Being part of an organization that genuinely nurtures talent has been instrumental in my journey, and I’m excited for the opportunities ahead. Furthermore, I've made lifelong friends during my time here. Through the London Office Social Club, I’ve helped organise events that bring people together — making work feel more human and community-driven.

Advice I’d give my younger self

It’s never too late to figure things out. Every role — no matter how far it seems from your dream — can teach you something valuable and open doors you didn’t even know existed. Don’t be afraid. Your skills are transferable, your passion will guide you and growth often comes from the most unexpected places. Keep asking questions, keep learning and never give up on your dreams.

Are you considering a career pivot?

At IQVIA, we believe it’s never too late to change direction, and stories like Luisa’s exemplify our commitment to One IQVIA, Multiple Careers. We embrace non-linear career paths and encourage you to stretch and grow your skills through mentorship, emerging skills training programs and Career Connections, our internal talent marketplace.

Where could your journey with us lead? Take the first step today.