Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Eder.
Hi Laura, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started working in pharmaceuticals back in New Jersey in the late 1980s at Schering Plough. In 1996, I moved to Colorado to focus on family – being a stay-at-home mom to our two little girls. In the fall of 2001, my husband experienced some medical issues that changed the dynamics and structure of our home. As a result, I re-entered the workforce as an Administrative Assistant for a pharmaceutical company, Atrix Laboratories. The company changed throughout the years into the present-day pharmaceutical company, Tolmar. I worked my way up to a Senior Regulatory Managerial position over the course of 15 years through multiple mergers and restructuring. When I left in 2019, I wanted to pursue something that aligned more with my passions and beliefs. It was then I entered the CBD/hemp industry. In 2020, I started my own consulting company, Mile High Cannabis Consulting and while doing that, I came across an open position at Vantage Hemp Co. for Director of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance. For the past 1 ½ years, I have been working with a fabulous team at Vantage in Greeley, Colorado.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Obstacles and I are very familiar with each other, to say the least. My struggles and setbacks are what I have always used to fuel my fire. One substantial obstacle, past and present, is that others don’t always consider me “qualified enough” because of my lack of a Bachelor’s Degree. Despite having over 20 years of Regulatory Affairs experience, decades of management experience, and a variety of industry and life experience that has made me the person I am today, I have come across many individuals who believe I am not enough because of a missing 4-year diploma. Keeping myself educated and up to date has always been extremely important to me. With that said, I did seek further educational opportunities to ensure I am an expert in my field of work. While having two daughters in school and working full-time, I received certificates in Regulatory Affairs from RAPS and Regulatory Affairs – Medical Device, IVD, and a Tissue Certification from CSU. This was after completing my Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. I never allowed this to impact being present in raising two strong women with my husband or my full-time job. There were plenty of long nights and extra hours, but completing these educational opportunities was a huge accomplishment. This success taught me that for some, there aren’t enough qualifications in this world for their approval. With this realization, I was able to grow and understand what I bring to the table. Working at Vantage has given me the opportunity to prove that even more.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my work at Vantage, I deal with the navigation of the ever-changing regulations of the CBD/hemp industry while applying it to pharmaceutical regulations as well as food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. In regards to who I am in my work, I am known to be a leader who is transparent and believes in open, honest, and frequent communication leading to the success of a team. What makes me an asset in the regulatory and quality arena, specifically within the CBD/hemp industry, is my understanding and compliance with both worldwide and local regulations. For me, I hold the most pride in the grit I have exemplified in my career and the values I have stayed true to through it all. I want to be the best at whatever I choose to commit myself to, but I will never choose to compromise what I believe in, in order to succeed.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am active on both my LinkedIn and Instagram profiles (@Jerseygirlinco). Connecting with me on both platforms is the best way to reach out and/or support me. I can also be contacted at laura@vantagehemp.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vantagehemp.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerseygirlinco/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/vantagehemp
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfxRT1mkAXaOLDYM6wF8lyA
