Jess Nani, 28
Marketing & Events Manager | Blackrock Neurotech
What are you most proud of in your career thus far?
I’m most proud of my work planning and executing the first-ever BioHive Live, Utah’s premier biotech conference. It was a true labor of love and a chance to bring the life sciences community together in a way that felt fresh, inclusive and deeply human. In every role I’ve held, I’ve worked to center patient voices and spotlight women in STEM, and BioHive Live was where those goals came to life. We created a space where women leading biotech initiatives could share their stories, patients could advocate for research into their diseases and students could see their future careers taking shape. Knowing I helped make those conversations happen — and that those voices took center stage in a traditionally corporate-heavy industry — is something I’ll always be proud of.
What advice do you have for other young professionals?
Identify your “rock bottom” moment and level set from there. Early in my career, I had a job in property management where a house literally caught on fire. Since then, any “fire drill” at work (or in my personal life) gets measured against that experience. I’ll ask myself, “Am I dealing with a literal fire? No? Then we’ve (probably) got this.” Knowing your personal baseline helps keep things in perspective when everyone else is losing theirs. It’s a reminder that most challenges are solvable, and that staying calm and focused is often your greatest professional asset.
