HWS News
11 December 2023 • STEM Risley '24 Accepts Position at Pfizer By Colin Spencer '19
Katherine Risley '24 will begin a career at pharmaceutical leader Pfizer, building off internship experiences.
After completing a summer internship at Pfizer, Katherine Risley ’24 has accepted a role as a North America Service Ambassador Analyst, joining the customer service team of the multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation.
Based in New York City and working with an external engagement and travel projects team, Risley will contribute to the team’s customer experience model. Her responsibilities include analyzing data to address customer needs, aiding in customer-facing activities, problem-solving, stakeholder management roles and supporting the execution of key events.
During her summer internship with the Global Business Service Unit, Risley supported the global implementation of consolidating travel and meetings within the Healthcare Engagement process. Her work involved developing process flows, managing budgets and brainstorming innovative platforms to enhance user experience.
“I am beyond excited to get started at Pfizer,” says Risley, a history major with minors in biology and entrepreneurial studies, and a member of the Herons’ lacrosse team. “I am really looking forward to working with this team again and getting to learn more about the industry.”
Risley's courses in genetics, biostatistics and ecology will aid her in this new role. On campus, she is a representative of the Heron Society, a study mentor for the Center for Teaching and Learning and a Teaching Fellow for Management and Entrepreneurship.
Risley says her internship was an invaluable experience, providing an important opportunity to work in the pharmaceutical industry. She previously held an internship at Takeda Pharmaceuticals as a customer insights and market research intern in the Gastrointestinal Rare Disease Business Unit. In that position, Risley facilitated and led a project kick-off for an upcoming product launch and assisted in the Operation and Project Management group in internal work.
She thanks the many mentors she has on campus including Director for the Center of Teaching and Learning Ruth Shields, William Smith Lacrosse Head Coach Anne Phillips, Assistant Coach Lindsay Magro and Strength and Conditioning Head Coach Chris Gray, who she says all helped instill in her the importance of hard work and perseverance.
On the Herons’ lacrosse team, Risley is a four-year starter on defense. She has played in 54 career games, recording 62 caused turnovers, 17th on William Smith’s career list. Risley was named a first team All-American by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association and was the Liberty League’s Defensive Player of the Year. She started all 22 games last season guiding the Herons to the national semifinals, leading a defensive unit that was ninth in the nation in scoring defense with 6.68 goals per game. She was also a USA Lacrosse Magazine third team All-American as a sophomore.
Risley is also a Writing Colleague and in the Leads Certificate program. She previously served as a First Year Seminar mentor.
