Genentech's 50th Anniversary

My beloved Genentech has been around for 50 years this week. 50 YEARS.

And, in true Nicole fashion, I could not—would not—let this milestone pass without a walk down memory lane. There’s so much I’ve learned.

Take my hand and join me, if you would. 💫

GNE was my second job out of college, after I moved back to the Bay from New York City in 2005.

I was a baby who loved to talk… and had a bit of a mouth on her (some things never change 😉).

Through the investment of leaders like Carol Wells, Claudia Bujold, Kevin Aronson (please don’t miss the photo of him as the Fairy Godmother... such a champ!), and Brooke Aghajani, I found my voice.

I refined how I showed up (yes, including my relationship with emojis and exclamation points), and began becoming the woman I am today—strong, entrepreneurial, compassionate, and independent.

Genentech introduced me to some of my nearest and dearest friends, many of whom are still in my life today. Shoutout to CKPY… an acronym only the five of us understand.

Genentech also showed me what great culture actually looks like—and that became my baseline.

It’s what I draw on now in my coaching practice when I tell clients: there IS something wonderful out there.

And maybe most importantly, I learned that you can fight fiercely for—and believe deeply in—your products and your patients… and have one hell of a time doing it.

There is no place like it that I’ve experienced, and I don’t think I’ll ever truly find another.

Thanks to Joseph, those of us who have come and gone still have opportunities to celebrate our shared history—and our love for a place we hold so dear—through gAlumni.

And the cherry on top of all of it? So many of my clients are former Genentechers.

They always ask, “Do you remember me?!” and I smile and say, “Of course.”

Because I do.

I carry my people with me. You don’t meet a girl in her 20s, experience life together for nearly a decade, and not leave a mark—and you all did. You are the best of the best.

Last night filled my cup in a way only Genentech can.

Lucky me, to be counted among these brilliant minds—from such a special place.