Yaniris Silva was 17 when her first job in the biopharmaceutical industry created a new path – just as life at home changed course.

Her parents had separated, leaving Yaniris and her mother to support the family, including her two younger siblings.

“Those years taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of creating opportunities when they don’t naturally exist,” she says.

What began as an internship in customer service evolved into a lifelong commitment to healthcare. Joining the biopharmaceutical industry opened doors she never imagined – allowing her to become the first in her family to graduate from college, live and work outside her home country, and learn a second language.

“This industry changed my life,” says Yaniris, Director, Mexico, who now leads operations and partnerships to help reach more people with rare genetic conditions who may benefit from BioMarin’s medicines.

Yaniris shared her story as part of our employee profile series, “The DNA of BioMarin,” which takes inspiration from the four bases of DNA: A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine) and G (guanine) – by asking employees to reflect on the role that Aspiration, Connection, Translation and Gratitude play in their everyday work.

Read on to learn more about what drives her work.

ASPIRATION
How did you get your start in the biopharma industry? What do you aspire to accomplish through your work at BioMarin and in your career?

I trained as an accountant and did not initially expect healthcare to become my life’s work. As my career developed, from my internship to working across commercial, market access and leadership roles, I found a sense of purpose in helping connect scientific innovation with the people it is intended to serve.

One lesson has stayed with me throughout that journey: innovation can only make a difference when it reaches patients. That understanding continues to shape what I want to accomplish through my work at BioMarin.

I want to help build a future in which people living with rare conditions have the chance to receive the care they need, regardless of where they live or the circumstances they face. My commitment to this work is personal because I understand how one opportunity can change someone’s life.

As a leader, I aspire to create an environment for others to grow professionally as well. Supporting colleagues as they discover their strengths, pursue their goals and take on new challenges is one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

Others helped open doors for me, and I want to do the same – not by defining other people’s paths, but by giving them the trust, guidance and opportunities to shape it for themselves.

CONNECTION
What role does connection play at BioMarin?

Connection is probably one of the things I value most in all aspects of my life.

Throughout my career, I have learned that meaningful results are never achieved alone. The best results come when people with different experiences, perspectives, and expertise work together toward a common goal.

Having worked across different countries and cultures, and more recently leading our business efforts in Mexico, I have learned that building trust, listening and understanding different realities are essential for creating impact.

The same is true when it comes to patients and their families. Whenever I hear their stories, I am reminded they want the same things as any of us – to live their lives, pursue their dreams, and spend more time with the people they love.

Those connections bring purpose to our work. They remind me that what we do is ultimately about people and that every decision we make has the potential to affect someone’s life.

TRANSLATION
How do you hope your work will translate into impact for the patient communities BioMarin is working to support?

I hope my work helps create a future where people with rare genetic conditions are diagnosed and connected to appropriate care sooner.

Much of our work happens behind the scenes. Patients may never know about our engagements with health agencies, policy discussions or healthcare funding conversations taking place every day. But those efforts can make the difference in people receiving the care they need.

Beyond individual therapies, I hope to contribute to broader changes for the rare disease community. I want to help shape policies, improve awareness and support sustainable healthcare solutions that expand access across the countries where I work.

I also hope to serve as a bridge between healthcare systems and BioMarin. Northern Latin American countries face significant challenges and tremendous opportunities. By collaborating with governments, healthcare professionals, patient organizations and industry partners, I believe we can build solutions with lasting impact.

What matters most is knowing our work gives patients and families hope. If children and families feel they have an opportunity to live healthier lives or are no longer alone in their journey, then we have made a meaningful difference.

GRATITUDE
Tell us about something you’re grateful for in your career, and why.

When I think about my career, what I feel most is gratitude.

I am deeply grateful to my mom. During one of the most challenging periods of our lives, she showed incredible strength and determination. Together, we navigated difficult circumstances while creating a better future for our family. She taught me hard work, perseverance and caring – lessons that continue to guide me today.

I am equally grateful to my husband and daughter. They have been beside me through every stage of my journey – from career moves and relocation to long workdays and frequent travel. Their support gives me the confidence to pursue opportunities and challenges I might otherwise have been afraid to take.

Professionally, I am grateful to my team in Mexico. They welcomed me warmly, taught me about the healthcare system and culture, and challenged me to see things differently. They have played an important role in my success and growth.

I am also grateful to the mentors who invested in me throughout my career. My current manager has been particularly influential. She believed in me, challenged me and trusted me with opportunities that helped me grow into the leader I am today.

Looking back, I realize every meaningful opportunity in my life was possible because someone believed in me. That is why I try to do the same for others.