Mirrors: Suzanne Zebedee, Executive Recruiter
The AdaMarie Mirrors reflect back to us the many roads (often winding, never smooth) to success! Real stories of real women to see yourself reflected in. At first, you’ll see Suzanne in this mirror, but eventually, we hope you’ll see yourself.
Welcome, Suzanne Zebedee!
Executive Recruiter in Biotech & Life Sciences, Suzanne Zebedee reminds us that we don’t have to have it 100% figured out!
Getting to Know You:
Field of Work: Executive Recruiter
Your STEM letter: S
Expertise In: Life Sciences including Biotechnology
Current Company: ON Partners
Job Title: Partner
One-liner about what you’re working on: I recruit executives to biotech and life sciences tools companies.
Currently geeking out over: AI in genomics
STEM hero (alive or dead!): Flossie Wong Stahl
Tell us about your professional journey – how did you get where you are now?
After earning my PhD in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, I knew I wanted to be in industry, not academics. I pursued an industry postdoc, and then joined a Pharma company to work in research. I especially enjoyed the collaboration and external part of my job, so I made a switch to business development for a biotech company. I was recruited from there to become an executive recruiter and joined Korn/Ferry to learn the business. Years later, I moved to a small boutique firm to build and grow the business.
We’re also curious to know your personal story and upbringing. What has made you “you”?
I am scientifically curious and always want to do research so I can be knowledgeable.
I am interested in plants, flowers, fruits, fish and ocean diversity, ocean critters/creatures, and protecting our oceans for future scuba divers and snorkelers.
I was always a very aquatic person, and was better at science than any other subject.
We know that real life isn’t a smooth and linear journey. What was your initiating moment that led you to your calling - can you tell us about that moment, what helped you move forward, what you learned/discovered?
I’m not sure what my calling is.
I am continuing to learn about new clients every day in the life sciences and I enjoy the diversity of their science, the potential impact to improve human health, and the variety of every day in my career and hobbies.
You’re a working woman in a performance-driven industry. Where do you find balance?
I travel for balance and find peace in the ocean.
If you were something in the Ocean, what would you be?
Maybe a nudibranch. I love finding them and photographing them - they come in a wild variety of colors and diversity and the scientist in me loves to identify and study them!