Thriving Above Expectations

Leilani Vinegas, Summit and Pinnacle Account Executive Achiever, AbbVie Pharmaceuticals

A career in sales can be unforgiving but success in this field deserves recognition and admiration as sales conversion can go south any time. To hear Filipino-American Leilani Vinegas thriving at AbbVie Pharmaceuticals to become the top 1-3% account executive of the company’s US market is an achievement Filipinos should be proud of. 

The conversion in Leilani’s journey does not start and end in her sterling career. It far reaches to her personal and spiritual life. A beautiful person who is hard to miss, Leilani had her fair share of struggles and judgment. They say there are always two sides of the same coin, and a perspective is as good as the one expressing his or hers. Leilani, with her beauty and accomplishment, may not be perfect. But she has a heart that genuinely tries to understand and sincerely longs to be understood. 

FMAG: You were born and raised in Hawaii then moved to the Philippines during your school years. How was the transition for you?

LV: Born in Hawaii, moved to the Philippines when I was 7. The transition was exciting in a way that everyone seemed curious to know who I was. I only spoke two languages then, was very strong-willed and into my hula.

FMAG: Your first job was way different from your current role. Tell us about your career journey.

LV: I believe my current role is a prime example of following where God leads you. My interest in studies has always been in business and hospitality but my early career in the US Air Force led me to the medical/pharmaceutical role. What I do in my current role is the pinnacle of pharmaceutical business, taking care of clients and taking care of patients.

FMAG: Where are you in your life now?

LV: I believe I am in the few years of pre-retirement. I am in the second half of my life (not chronologically… or maybe!) which really means I have a keen understanding of who I am and what I have to offer. I am fulfilling some of the dreams that fuelled the passions I had growing up. I am involved in building and supporting Churches and priests in different places of the world, and plan to do more in retirement. I am travelling to places I would not have gone to easily. A few of them: Israel, Cancun, Doha, Qatar, Montana, Costa Rica, Colombia, around the Philippines. I have a handful of friends, a rich spiritual life and a closeness to my family that I am grateful for every moment.

FMAG: What had been your greatest challenge and the precious lesson you took away from them?

LV: Some of my greatest challenges are also my greatest life lessons – like having to deal with trust and betrayal, from those closest to me, during varying stages of my life. The most precious lesson is, don't judge people. Don't expect too much. Give from the heart but use your mind and be okay with saying no.

FMAG: Who is your greatest influence in life and why?

LV: My greatest influence is hands down, my dad. From preparing breakfast while I was a child, to holding his hand on his deathbed, my dad has taught me life lessons I still talk about and uphold to this day: Serve without asking for anything in return, always do things honestly, safety and security, loyalty.

FMAG: Tell us about your role at AbbVie Pharmaceuticals and the admirable recognition you should be sharing to fellow Filipinos.

LV: One of the very first items on my vision board a long time ago was to excel as a minority in America. With hard work and the help from a few angels, within two years of joining the pharmaceutical industry, I had been awarded All Star and Rising Star consecutively for two years – awards given to the top 3% and 5% of the sales force respectively. The recognition is accompanied by first class all-expense paid trip for two to an exotic location with other award winners and senior leadership. 

In the years after I first joined the company, I have invested heavily and built considerable assets to supplement my pending retirement, raised two beautiful daughters (who are now teenagers) and recently, repeated the two consecutive year Summit and Pinnacle achievement, this time given to the top 3% and 1% of the Sales Force.

FMAG: Any regrets?

LV: One regret I have is not paying full attention in school. I put more importance on making or pleasing friends; showing off what I did not have and feeling emptier doing so.

FMAG: What is the greatest lesson you have learned that you would want your daughters to learn from you?

LV: I would want my daughters to remember who they are and to whom they belong (to God). I want them to always make the right decisions.  And when they cannot do it themselves, to always, always, pray.

Leilani with her two lovely daughters, Angela and Lauren.

FMAG: How do you see yourself 10 years from now?

LV: Ten years from now, I see myself traveling every three to four months between my home in the Philippines, my home in the US, and somewhere in the world. I also would like to revisit my vision board and see that I am living most, if not all of them.

FMAG: If you can thank anyone through this interview, who would it be and why? 

LV: I would really thank those friends who have shown me agape in the real sense of the word and you are one of them, Sands. I also would thank those who believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself.

FMAG: What would you say to your 12-year-old self?

LV: Speak up but be respectful. Take every opportunity to do your best. Have faith. Be cheerful and have fun. Everything will be all right.