SOPHiA GENETICS is a team that loves to connect concepts with tangible results and real-world impact.
Ushering in the next breakthrough in healthcare technology is no easy feat, but with a vision to provide informed care for better patient outcomes, SOPHiA GENETICS team members know that they can get there faster together.
“I encourage cross-collaboration,” said EVP and Chief People Officer Manuela Valente. “This connectedness and emphasis on growth foster a dynamic and collaborative work environment where everyone has a voice.”
What SOPHiA GENETICS does
SOPHiA GENETICS is a healthtech company and creator of the cloud-based SOPHiA DDM Platform. Dedicated to a mission to transform patient care, the company helps providers by providing data-driven insights.
Valente described the motivation SOPHiANs feel in their work as purposeful, emboldened by a company mission everyone can relate to.
“Joining us means you become part of a global team that’s directly contributing to the transformation of healthcare. It’s a place where your work really matters,” said Valente.
It is not uncommon for corporate and tech missions to branch into abstract definitions and broad strokes. SOPHiA GENETICS, however, is decidedly practical, rebranding its company values as “virtues,” explicit behaviors designed to propel the company forward in its success and help define a roadmap for talent. Virtues are the behaviors for success, and they all connect to the company’s mantra, “We Care”. Customers are regularly welcomed into team-building activities to provide an example of how the company’s products have a real impact on people’s lives. Additionally, SOPHiA GENETICS leans towards active learning, encouraging employees to take on new responsibilities as learning opportunities and investing in a robust internship program.
Built In sat down with Valente to learn more about her role and how she thinks about the mission that shapes SOPHiA GENETICS’ daily work life.
Tell us about your role. What would you say is your main impact?
As executive vice president and chief people officer at SOPHiA GENETICS, I focus on several key areas to drive our company’s success. My primary goal is to create a workplace environment where our people develop and thrive, recognizing that their work is integral to the company's growth.
My department has a significant impact on our people by fostering a positive culture and ensuring continuous development opportunities so our employees feel empowered. I work on enhancing productivity and effectiveness across our teams so employees feel supported, and implement strategies that optimize their performance. This involves both strategic planning and hands-on support, ensuring that our work environment meets and exceeds expectations.
Our mantra, “We Care,” guides my approach in aligning our people with our mission and recognizing their work is an integral part of the movement we are creating. By prioritizing these aspects, I aim to create a supportive and dynamic environment that helps our people excel, ultimately contributing to the overall success of the organization
What is your vision for leading your team?
My leadership vision is based on ownership, trust and empowerment. In my team, I set high standards for the quality of work and timely delivery. Furthermore, when I see potential in someone, I’m quick to expand their responsibilities. Rather than always seeking external expertise, I’m open to giving our team members opportunities to grow and take on more. I work closely with them, diving into both strategic and operational details, ensuring they feel supported at every level.
We expect our executive team members to have an in-depth knowledge of their department’s operations while driving the strategy. I stay connected with people across all levels, while also serving as a strategic partner to the CEO. I encourage cross-collaboration and reinforce it through initiatives like engagement programs, social committees and mentorship opportunities. This connectedness and emphasis on growth foster a dynamic and collaborative work environment where everyone has a voice.
What structures or policies support the company’s values, culture and mission? How?
At SOPHiA GENETICS, we’ve built structures that bring our culture, values and mission to life. We’ve moved beyond abstract values to focus on action-oriented “virtues” that are practical and behavior-focused, ensuring they resonate in daily operations. These virtues are embedded in our recruitment process, onboarding, performance reviews and through initiatives like our “Virtuosos” program, which highlights people who exemplify these traits.
We also empower team members to take the initiative, promoting team-building activities to celebrate achievements and foster community. Initiatives like our internship program are examples of how we’ve built a cohesive, engaged workforce.
In addition, being able to quickly pivot in any situation is part of our culture. This is how we stay agile and act quickly and autonomously to enhance business responsiveness. For example, a companywide initiative from Jurgi Camblong, our CEO, focuses on coordinating calendars and aligning meeting practices. This has significantly improved productivity and collaboration, designing specific days for meetings and allowing time for customer visits and agile decision-making.
How do you build team culture at SOPHiA GENETICS? Why is that important for the work that you do?
Our team culture is all about openness, transparency and continuous learning. From day one, we introduce new SOPHiANs to our core purpose: improving patient and customer care. We ensure everyone understands how the SOPHiA DDM Platform aids healthcare providers in making informed diagnostic decisions, highlighting the real-world impact of our work.
Innovation is key to our culture — we strive to be more efficient and lean in everything we do. This drive for improvement is supported by regular interactions with our customers, who are often invited to speak at our annual kickoffs and other internal and external events. These conversations reinforce our mission and remind us of the significance of our work in the lives of patients. By bringing top talent together to work with top customers, we create a powerful synergy that drives meaningful impact in the field of data-driven medicine.
“Innovation is key to our culture — we strive to be more efficient and lean in everything we do.”
How do you help your team grow their careers?
We prioritize career growth at SOPHiA GENETICS by offering individual development plans, mentorship opportunities and access to new cross-functional projects. We’re big believers in learning by doing, giving employees the opportunity to take on new responsibilities and lead their own projects. Our hands-on approach is complemented by coaching from experienced colleagues, which empowers our team to continuously develop their skills and confidence.
What role do your team members play in SOPHiA GENETICS’ company mission and culture?
Our team members are central in building, strengthening and celebrating our company mission and culture. A great example of this is how we approach onboarding and internships. For us, onboarding is more than a process — it’s an opportunity to immerse new team members in our culture from day one. We strive to deliver an employee experience that truly reflects our mission.
My team plays a key role in understanding the business and the needs of our talented individuals, they ask the necessary questions to understand what teams need to be more productive. For example, they will then develop development initiatives, such as leadership development, to equip our leaders of tomorrow in building trust in teams and around them. By empowering our new leaders, we help them step up and actively participate in our company culture and growth.
What is the value proposition you would highlight for a future potential employee?
Our employee value proposition centers on making a global impact on healthcare through innovation. We’re at the cutting edge of data-driven medicine, using AI and machine learning to help healthcare professionals deliver world-class care, anywhere in the world. We offer plenty of opportunities for career growth, with access to the latest technology and a collaborative, inclusive culture. Plus, we’re driven by a shared mission: to improve patient outcomes and make healthcare better for everyone.
Tell us about SOPHiA GENETICS’ commitment to local engagement.
In our office in Bidart, France, we engage with the local community by building up our partnerships with selected engineering universities in the Basque Country to train the tech talents of tomorrow and also support the local soccer team.
In Rolle, Switzerland — our largest headquarters — we organize Open Doors events for our local universities who discover our technology and meet experts during an afternoon.
In the United States, we’re involved in initiatives supporting children with cancer. We strive to make a positive impact both within our company and in the communities we are part of.
