Amanda Stanley: When Defeat Redirects You To Something Better

How an unsuccessful medical school path led to 23 years building vaccines at Sanofi's Swiftwater, Pennsylvania site

As a child with vision challenges, I was drawn to the field of ophthalmology. I dreamed of becoming an eye doctor – it seemed like the right blend of medicine and precision, so I pursued Biochemistry with a pre-med focus at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, my home state.

But in 2002, I was unable to successfully pass the MCAT – the exam required for admission into U.S. medical schools.

What felt like a setback at the time ended up opening a door I never expected. That moment redirected me toward something I hadn’t considered: a career in vaccine manufacturing that would become deeply fulfilling.

While figuring out my next step, I took a summer internship at Aventis – a pharmaceutical company I hadn’t heard of. (It would be acquired by Sanofi shortly after I joined). But it was close to home, and I thought it might strengthen my résumé while I worked out a plan. I joined the R&D Process Development team, as a lab technician, performing benchtop chemical assays. Lab tests to determine the presence, amount, or functional activity of a specific substance in a sample.

I loved this job. And I didn’t know it then, but it was the start of everything. The mission, the people, the science behind vaccine manufacturing – it all clicked. Even though I didn’t become an eye doctor, I realized I could still serve patients, just through prevention rather than treatment.

From bench to management

I used this as a chance to immerse myself in the technical aspects of vaccine development at the expansive Swiftwater site. In February 2008, I moved into my first management role overseeing Phase I and Phase II clinical manufacturing. Two years later, I advanced to become a Manager Senior Scientist, leading Phase III clinical manufacturing.

One of my early managers pushed me outside my comfort zone and encouraged me to shift from pure technical work to people management. I was hesitant – my background was Biochemistry, not leadership – but my manager saw potential I hadn't recognized. Looking back, this competitive spirit combined with a collaborative mindset is exactly what drives our transformation into M&S today. We empower our people to lead change, building skills in new therapies and technologies while constantly learning and improving.

Our Swiftwater site is unique because we handle everything end-to-end, spanning drug substance, formulation, filling, inspection, packaging and helping to create the 4 billion units of medicines we deliver globally a year. For someone building a career, that diversity is valuable. You're not siloed into one narrow specialization.

Sanofi supported my growth ambitions at every turn. Between 2004 and 2008, I used Sanofi's tuition reimbursement program to earn my master's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Scranton while working full-time. That investment paid off for both Sanofi and me.

In October 2014, I became Deputy Director, responsible for resource management and personnel development. Five years later, I was appointed Director of Biologics Quality Systems, overseeing quality operations including deviations, change controls, CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions), and regulatory commitments across the Swiftwater site.

Leading through culture change

Over time, I discovered my real interest wasn't the lab work itself. I loved the science and understanding the manufacturing processes. But what fulfilled me was helping other people succeed.

I’d like to think I am a “servant leader” – the idea that my job is to serve my team, give them what they need to succeed, let them grow and overcome challenges. This philosophy aligns well with how Sanofi approaches our modernization journey, investing in our people as much as we invest in cutting-edge technology.

In March 2024, I took on my current position as Head of Site Programs, joining Swiftwater's Site Leadership Team. It makes me incredibly proud to look back and trace my 23-year journey here, from R&D technician doing chemical assays to influencing strategy and culture for nearly 3,000 people across the Swiftwater site. 

Development opportunities and other benefits

I'm often asked what has kept me at Sanofi for over two decades, and my honest answer? I haven’t felt the need to look elsewhere because the development opportunities have been so significant. Rather than my career progression being stuck, I've consistently found growth here, both professionally and personally.

Location mattered too. Building my career at our Swiftwater site meant I could stay local- close to my family and the community where I grew up. That stability has real value, especially paired with meaningful career growth without needing to relocate.

The culture at Swiftwater is great. We work with each other, for each other, driven by a sense of purpose to save people’s lives. You see it in how people collaborate, how they support colleagues, how they care about the mission.

But the work itself remains compelling. I’m over two decades in, and no one day is the same. It’s such an exciting time to be in the Manufacturing and Supply space. The technological advances – AI, robotics, automation – have transformed how we manufacture vaccines. When I started, much was manual. Now we're deploying next-generation digital tools and innovative delivery systems that make production safer, faster, and more efficient. We've even launched a digital accelerator team that combines talent, technology, and agile methodologies to help us cut product launch times by 25% and ensure 100% right-first-time success.

For anyone considering Manufacturing and Supply in vaccines, the work has a real impact. We're producing vaccines that eradicate disease. We're creating products that mean children don't suffer illnesses that devastated previous generations.

The scale at Swiftwater creates real opportunities. We have over 3,000 people here, with 2,000 + employees in Manufacturing and Supply, plus another 1,000 across R&D, and regulatory affairs. You can move between functions, develop new capabilities, and discover where your strengths lie.

I never became the ophthalmologist I'd initially planned to be. But at Sanofi I found something that works – something that matters. A career that combines science and leadership, which serves patients through prevention, and that's allowed me to progress from lab technician to someone who influences strategy for thousands of people. I'm part of a team that's redefining what's possible in healthcare manufacturing, ensuring our high-quality, affordable, and sustainable products reach those who need them most.

That failed MCAT? Turned out to be the best redirection I could have asked for.