Meet Manar Hammood, Founder of Pharmacovigilance Company Zenith PV Solutions Inc.

Manar Hammood is the Founder & Director of PV Operations at Zenith PV Solutions Inc. Zenith specializes in providing the pharmaceutical industry with the guidance and support needed to ensure all medications used in Canada meet the strict drug safety reporting standards established by Health Canada. Zenith is a fast-growing company that supports large and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies and hospitals across Canada. After spending time in the pharmaceutical industry working in senior medical and operations roles, Manar has helped several firms meet Health Canada and other global regulatory compliance standards as an entrepreneur. 

My first job ever was… In high school as a science tutor. It was my first taste of coaching and I have always just loved sharing what I know to support others.

I decided to be an entrepreneur because… I strongly believe that for change to happen, one must lead from the front, and entrepreneurship is a way to channel my aspirations and do what matters to me. Today, monitoring the safety of the medications we use is done to simply meet regulatory requirements. This activity is often outsourced, and too often, it is seen as a checkbox activity. 

The safety of patients is paramount, and I created Zenith to challenge this mindset and truly reflect how safety data can be used to guide clinical choices and patient safety. I started my company to showcase that we all are capable of providing non-templated solutions and building a team that always puts themselves in the client’s shoes. 

Before I started Zenith, during my roles at Octapharma, I was… Fortunate to be trusted with responsibilities that far exceeded my training at the time. This unconventional approach was a training ground to operate beyond my comfort zone and stretch my capabilities. It was hard work and challenging at times, but I would never trade this for anything else.

I’m passionate about challenging the status quo because… It makes us come up with innovative and oftentimes simpler solutions instead of dealing with complicated and archaic solutions that do not bring progress. 

My proudest accomplishment is… To learn French from scratch in adulthood as a third language and complete both an undergraduate and a Master’s degree at a fully French-speaking university.

My biggest setback was… Having to experience the fragility of life at a young age. I went from leading a relatively comfortable life to living through war, conflict, and enduring losses. 

I overcame it by… Investing my time in what I could change instead of agonizing over what I couldn’t. It was empowering to turn this adversity into an opportunity that shaped me to be the individual I am today. 

My best advice for anyone that cares about a cause and wants to contribute to it would be… The right time to start contributing is now.  

The one piece of advice I give that I have trouble following myself is… Taking care of oneself before caring for others. If you are not your best self, you are likely to be less helpful to others.

The thing I love most about what I do is… Inspiring people to see possibilities that never crossed their minds before.

If I were to pick one thing that has helped me succeed, it would be… Resilience to carry on, despite expected and unexpected setbacks.

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know… That I support my team, I help build their skills, spread their wings, and empower them to feel their direct contribution to the success of the company.  

I stay inspired by… Knowing that giving is the only way that will allow us to achieve our goals and energize us to give even more.

The future excites me because… It holds unlimited possibilities for being better versions of ourselves.

My next step is… To start another game-changing company and contribute even more to society.

To keep up with Manar, connect with her on LinkedIn.