From Just Esther to Poly-Esther: Embracing Every Part of Yourself to Transform Your Life and Career

By Esther M. Alegria

Breaking through stereotypes, Dr. Esther M. Alegria challenges the notion that promotions are limited to the privileged few. Raised in a low-income area with scarce resources, she overcame obstacles to achieve a thriving career in the pharmaceutical industry.

In From Just Esther to Poly-Esther, Dr. Alegria emphasizes the keys to transforming a vision into reality: passion, persistence, and a willingness to seize opportunities—and a lot of laughter. As she reflects on her humble origins and tells the story of her career, she shares valuable insights and traits for readers to integrate into their lives to find their own sense of self-awareness and fulfillment.

With heartfelt sincerity and playful humor, Dr. Alegria encourages personal growth, empowering others to forge their unique paths. Discover how her journey from adversity to success can inspire you to unlock your true potential.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Advantage Media Group
• Release date: May 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9781642258370

Esther M. Alegria

With more than three decades in the biopharmaceuticals industry, DR. ESTHER M. ALEGRIA has overseen strategic and operational initiatives in Europe, the United States, and Puerto Rico. She cofounded and served as CEO of APIE Therapeutics, based in the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. Now as its chief innovation officer, Dr. Alegria focuses on developing therapeutic drugs to treat chronic and debilitating diseases. Throughout her career Dr. Alegria has been passionate about improving health outcomes for patients. She willingly draws on her experience and expertise to mentor professionals and students. She also serves on international committees, including the board of directors for Avid Bioservices, the board of directors for STERIS, and the board of trustees for the PR Science Trust. Dr. Alegria holds a PhD in chemistry from the University of Hawaii and an executive business management certification from Harvard Business School. Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr. Alegria now resides in Cary, North Carolina.

Book preview

COMPOUND ONE

Know Where You’re Going

Early on, I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. Certainly, I yearned to be somebody. Life in Puerto Rico was tough, and I went through many difficulties as a child. Through it all, my parents promoted education as the ticket to a better life.

And I believed them. As such, I saw that getting a degree could potentially help me to improve my situation. I wanted to not only move into a more accommodating lifestyle but also provide for my children. Moreover, I longed to help others.

It would take time to develop my passion for the pharmaceutical industry. My views about it changed over time, as I learned more and saw the possibilities for advancements. I instinctively have always evaluated therapeutic drugs and thought about the risks before consuming anything. As I grew older, I became more and more interested in the pharmaceutical industry. I realized that I could be more involved, and that I could participate in the discovery and development of new drug therapies to improve health outcomes.

In the following chapters, I’ll portray the different attributes of Poly-Esther that are relevant to this compound. We’ll consider my passion and how it developed. We’ll also look at my feelings of being trapped, and what it was like to be released to pursue my dreams. Finally, we’ll go through the steps that were needed to pursue my college studies. Through it all, you’ll learn that I took my parents’ advice to heart, and education did open doors. It was far from easy, but oh-so-worth-it.

CHAPTER ONE

The Passionate

Who wants to play the role of the mother chicken? the teacher asked.

My hand shot up. I will! I added in case she didn’t see me.

The teacher scanned the room. Then she picked a different girl (who happened to be very cute!) to be head chicken in the upcoming performance.

This student, amid the others in our fifth-grade class, probably rose to the top in the teacher’s mind. She had all the qualities that made her seem like a perfect fit for the main character (and be popular too!). At the time I instantly thought she was chosen because she was cuter or better dressed than me (our typical reaction when someone is selected over us). She would be the matronly figure to all the other chicks in the play.

Our fifth-grade class was putting together a play for the school. I wanted to be a part of it. Time and again, I was overlooked. The teacher chose others for the remaining roles. I didn’t get the part I wanted, and I couldn’t get it out of my mind.

This story continues, and indeed has a happy ending. Before we get there, let’s unpack this a bit more. I’d like to explore it in terms of leadership. Specifically, we’ll look at early longings to be something, or someone, of importance. We’ll also tread through the benefits of leaning into these ambitions. Finally, we’ll look at how we don’t always know exactly what we want to be at a young age. The fundamentals may be there, and somewhat hidden to the average eye. As we grow and develop, others sometimes spot in us qualities that we don’t see. Pay attention to those times. They could change the trajectory of your career. They certainly did for me.

Middle of the Pack

When I was born, my parents named me Esther Maria de la Providencia Alegria Alicea. (Try writing that as a kindergartner on a piece of paper! It didn’t fit!) Most people called me Esther. My father, Antonio E. Alegria, was a widower with four children when he married my mother, Esther Alicea. Together they had four more children. (Yes, we were basically an army.) I was the first of this second set to arrive.

Eleven months after I entered the world, my mother had another girl. Ten months after that she had a boy. Four years later, the youngest member joined the family.

Of the eight children, I was smack in the middle. I had four older siblings, each of whom was very smart. Below me were three little kids, whom everyone described as cute. Certainly, they were cuter than me.

We lived in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, during my early years. We moved frequently, though. I found myself having to adapt to new places again and again. Between the changes and my placement within the family, I didn’t find myself in many leadership roles as a child. I was more likely to be lost in the shuffle. The fact that the teacher didn’t consider me for the main character in the fifth-grade class play didn’t come as a surprise. It was more in line with the pace of my life at the time.

Learning the Lines

I was disheartened when the teacher passed over me and chose someone else to be the lead role in that fifth-grade play. The girl who was to be the head chicken practiced every day to get ready for the big performance. I did too. I learned every single line the mother chicken said. I couldn’t help it. There was something inside me that yearned to have that leadership position. Even though I was told no, I still prepared for the part.

I also told the teacher that I knew all the lines. She still didn’t give me a chance to practice with the others. Nevertheless, I continued learning because I was so attracted to the idea. Sometimes the kids who were in the play practiced in front of our class. I watched them perform … and said the lines in my head along with them.

The big day arrived. It was time for our fifth-grade class to put on a show. Parents and other grade levels would come to see the chicken-themed play. We all arrived early, jittery and anxious for the big moment.

Some were more nervous than others. The girl who was to play the part of the mother chicken was beside herself. She had performed well during the practices. Now, the image of being in front of a large audience loomed before her. She couldn’t face it. Sieged with stage fright, she started crying and broke down. She couldn’t go on. She wouldn’t be able to be the mother chicken.

That’s when the teacher looked at me. Esther, she said. I need you.

I stepped in without hesitation. And I got every single word correct. The show—as they say—went on.

For so long, throughout the practices, I had yearned to have that mother chicken role. Even though I didn’t see the future or think I would get a chance, I prepared myself. I also let others know. If the teacher wasn’t aware that I knew all the lines, she likely wouldn’t have turned to me. But because I’d made her aware, when the opportunity came up, it was me she turned to. And I took the show.

Perhaps the best part of this example isn’t the outcome. It may be the fact that I got ready, even when the leadership position seemed unattainable. Have you ever taken similar steps to prepare, even though you didn’t have the title in hand? If you’re thinking of putting in the extra time for a project that someone else is leading, I can assure you that it will pay off in some way—even if you aren’t sure exactly how it will look in the end.

Repeat Performances

In Puerto Rico, sixth grade is the final year of elementary school. As such, when I was in that level, much of the year was spent preparing for the graduation ceremony. It would be a big deal. Parents would come. It would signal the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one.

For the celebration, one student in the class would deliver a poem the teacher chose to the audience. This meant the individual who was chosen would need to memorize the lines of the poem. It was a lengthy, elaborate speech, written for adults. It included precise gestures at certain moments for emphasis. It was an important role, and many of us hoped to have the chance to recite the poem.

Of course, I didn’t just want to say the poem. I really wanted to be the one on stage, giving a beautiful delivery to the audience. Again, when the teacher searched for the right student, I volunteered to do it. Again, she passed over me. This time, she again chose another girl instead of me.

I was devastated at first. Then I looked at the lines of the poem. And I started memorizing. I learned the entire poem, from start to finish. I mentioned to my teacher (on more than one occasion!) that I knew the lines. I could do it, if she needed me.

As it turned out, two days before the big day of graduation, a crisis arose. The teacher discovered that the student she had chosen to recite the poem didn’t know her lines! Moreover, her situation was a bit hopeless. The poor girl simply couldn’t get the words across. Given the poem’s length, there was no way she could learn it in just two days. What was the teacher to do?

As before, I was asked to step in. The teacher knew that I had learned it all. The day of the big performance, I stood up and delivered the poem, line by line, to those in attendance. And I got every word right. Again.

For the record, a similar scenario played out just two years later. I was part of a baton club that was going to perform in a show. It was time to choose the leader. Oh, how I wanted to be selected. I knew I could direct the others in the routine. Sure enough, another girl was chosen. Still, I learned every step.

Two days before our big performance, the parents of the lead girl pulled her out. I was asked to be in the lead position. I accepted, and guided the other participants through the routine, start to finish.

Finding a Place

Given my track record, when I signed up for Girl Scouts, I didn’t expect much in the way of leadership roles. I decided to not ask if the subject came up. I simply got to work, learned the tasks, and carried on as I knew best. Pretty soon, I had a strong handle on the activities we did. I helped other girls if they had a question or couldn’t finish a task.

This time, when the director of the Girl Scouts announced it was time to pick the Girl Scout leader, I kept quiet. I waited to see who would be picked.

Esther, I want you to be the leader, the director said.

I looked up. Had I heard correctly?

Seeing my reaction, she added, You have mastered the activities we are doing. You’re not afraid to take the lead. We’ve been watching you and think you are the right fit for the role.

Wow, had the tables turned! Suddenly someone else was seeing something in me that made them think I was fit for leadership. I never forgot that moment.

At the time, I didn’t know in what way I would be a leader when I grew up. I wasn’t sure what profession I would take. Certainly, a passion had been born in me to be something! What that would be wasn’t obvious. It would play out over time. My passion would eventually grow and find its