Our clients are part of what makes The Sway Effect and our growing network special. Last month, we launched a new Q&A series called Four Questions and after a great response, we've decided to make it a part of our monthly activity.
For August, I had the privilege of connecting with Kristen Cardillo, VP, Corporate Communication and Government Affairs at 10x Genomics.
It's a very important time for 10x and spatial biology, particularly as we see more AI-powered technologies like 10x's Xenium disrupting the wider biotech industry. In fact, 10x and its CEO Serge Saxonov believe that 80% of all cancers will be addressed with AI tools by 2050.
Let's jump in! #FourYearsofTSE #WeWillGetThere
1. You have worked in healthcare communications for 20 years. What advice would you give to your younger self just starting out in the field?
You can do anything, but not everything. I still tell myself this regularly. I love to take on new challenges and stretch creatively, so I often need to remind myself that there's power in prioritization. I’d also tell my younger self that if you make career decisions based on how much you'll learn and the new experiences you'll gain, you can never go wrong.
2. What inspires you the most about working at 10x Genomics?
I’ve spent my entire career working in healthcare and biotech, yet this is my first time on the life sciences side. It’s extremely motivating to be on the very leading edge of research and to have your company’s technology be the driving force behind some of the biggest breakthroughs transforming what we know about health and disease.
The people at 10x are brilliant. I’m lucky enough to work with some of the smartest people in their fields who push through the hardest challenges, always strive for more and yet stay incredibly humble. The team both challenges and inspires me every day.
3. What career milestone isn’t on your resume?
Throughout my career, I’ve been a part of more than 20 transactions ranging from tuck-ins to transformative deals, spin-offs, and divestitures. It’s a special opportunity to help companies navigate this process, shape how stakeholders on both sides view these moves and show how communications can maximize the impact and value of a deal. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have worked for both the buyers and the targets, which gives me a unique vantage point and makes me a better advisor and communicator.
4. Why did you choose to work with The Sway Effect?
Jen came highly recommended by a former colleague of mine (who has a very high bar). In a previous role, we brought in The Sway Effect, and the team very quickly delivered impressive results and helped reposition the company from a medical products manufacturer to a medical technology leader. When I joined 10x, I was eager to re-connect with The Sway Effect to help tell the company’s story and mission more broadly. Jen and her team know how to find the story and have a real bias for action and drive for results.
