In today’s blog, we are pleased to introduce Farrah Pulce, Head of Project Management at Antheia. Farrah helps every team across the company stay on track toward our collective goals, and her work played a crucial role in our first commercial delivery of thebaine. We sat down with Farrah to learn more about her background and what inspires her about working at Antheia.
Tell us about your background and career journey to Antheia.
I was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where I first discovered my passions for math, science and music, which set me on a path of exploration. In high school, I was chosen to participate in a research-based apprenticeship program sponsored by NASA, where I got to work with NASA employees and professors. That experience drove me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University while completing internships at Cummins, Inc. and The Boeing Company. I went on to earn advanced degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Xavier University. These experiences and education set the foundation for my career in engineering, operations, and project management.
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to live in different cities and work across several industries, from automotive and aviation to food innovation and now synthetic biology. I started my career at Ford Motor Company where I completed their Ford College Graduate program and became a brake system engineer. In this role I honed my skills in design and product optimization, which later contributed to complex aviation engine programs at General Electric (GE), where I was a project engineer. After GE, I moved on to Elgin Sweeper Company, where I led the design team and product development of street sweepers. These positions shaped my ability to blend technical expertise with strategic execution and cross-functional collaboration, which has been useful throughout my career.
My chief engineer at Elgin noticed my project management and leadership potential, which sparked my career transition: In 2010, I became a certified project management professional (PMP), combining my engineering expertise with process improvement. After Elgin, I transitioned into full project manager roles at Portola Packaging and then US Foods, refining my project management skills with complex business and operations projects. Next came leadership roles at Impossible Foods, Tyson, and Blue Bottle where I focused on implementing strategic visions and driving growth. I now lead project management at Antheia, helping us execute on our mission to end drug shortages.
My diverse career experiences have brought a unique perspective to my roles, teaching me adaptability, flexibility, and the importance of cultural competence and collaboration.
What made you say yes to Antheia initially, and what inspires you about the work you do here?
Though my last roles were in the food and beverage industry, I developed an interest in biotechnology and followed the industry closely. I learned about an open head of project management role at Antheia and was inspired by the company’s work to produce essential medicines with a focus on agility, efficiency, and sustainability. The team here is driven, intelligent, and passionate about innovation and impact, and meeting them motivated me to be part of this meaningful work.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities as head of project management?
My main job is to communicate and drive strategic execution by aligning company-wide projects with business objectives and deliverables, which means every day varies depending on the project goals and team needs to ensure successful delivery. I lead coordination, execution, and reporting across the organization to ensure projects stay on track, so communication with our internal team and network of external partners is the biggest part of my day. I prioritize strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration to address challenges quickly and maintain alignment. I’m also focused on developing training programs and implementing project management tools and processes to streamline workflows and improve efficiency. I’m setting the vision and best practices for the project management team we intend to grow in 2025 and beyond. I work closely with our leadership team and as someone who sits at the center of company-wide activity, I’m also lucky to work with everyone at the company.
What have been your proudest moments since joining the Antheia team?
It’s a unique opportunity to be part of a company’s first product launch, so I would say that my proudest moment at Antheia thus far was playing a key role in this milestone – it was a really meaningful achievement for Antheia and me as well. It was an exciting and challenging journey, but building strong relationships across the team and celebrating small wins throughout the process kept us motivated and led to our success. It was really important for me to learn the science, research, and development behind our work with help from the amazing team at Antheia, so I could effectively lead the project and provide better support. It was incredibly rewarding to see how our collective efforts helped bring this product to market successfully
Have there been any unexpected challenges you have faced in this role?
Facing unexpected challenges is inevitable in project management. It’s an inherent part of the role, so risk management is a big part of what I do to ensure that we have contingency plans for when – not if – issues arise. Staying proactive, establishing clear communication, and maintaining a supportive environment help us navigate challenges and importantly, learn how we can avoid the same challenges in the future. Our team does a great job of learning from challenges without blame, which I appreciate.
How did project management contribute to the first customer delivery of thebaine?
Project management provided the structure, coordination, processes, and leadership needed to achieve this milestone. I worked closely with all departments to align the team toward the common goal, ensuring they understood project plans, timelines, scope, deliverables, and costs. I maintained transparency and kept leadership updated to ensure resources were allocated and constraints were removed, which was crucial for our success.
From your experience, when is the best time for a company to bring in a project manager?
Project management is both an art and science – we transform strategy into action and ensure the team is taking the necessary steps toward success. We are like the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring each department plays in harmony.
The best time will vary considerably based on several factors. As a recommendation, a project manager should be brought in when an organization begins complex projects that require cross-functional coordination, consistent communication, and strategic focus. If teams are missing deadlines, disorganized, or pulled from their main responsibilities, it’s time to bring in project management. It’s an essential function for scaling operations and managing resources effectively.
Are there any hot topics or business trends you’re following?
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key topics for me. Coming from underrepresented communities in science and technology, I’ve often been the only person like me in the room. Companies that hire and retain diverse talent operate more efficiently and collaboratively, which is crucial for project management. I’m out and proud of my heritage and all my identities because I want kids like me to know that they can be anything they want. They can see somebody like them and know they have opportunities. I want to be a mentor and resource for underrepresented individuals, providing support, insights, and guidance as others did for me.
I’m also keeping up with the latest news at the forefront of science and technology. I’ve recently been listening to lectures about the role AI will play in project management, and while I think it can be very useful in our field, there’s such a strong people component to this work. Building relationships has been what has helped me be most successful as a project manager. That said, I am curious to see how the field will evolve and interact with AI in the future.
What makes Antheia a great place to work?
It’s our shared commitment to the mission and open communication that makes Antheia great. The team is caring, dedicated, intelligent, and collaborative, which makes each day energizing and meaningful. I’m excited about expanding and launching multiple products in our pipeline in the coming years. I’m in awe of what we’ve accomplished with a small team, and being part of something bigger has made the job fulfilling.
What are your hobbies or passion projects outside of work?
I enjoy exploring intellectual and creative outlets like music, dance, and the arts. Music has always been a passion for me, starting with the saxophone and later piano, guitar, and oboe. Music’s structure and rhythm are similar to math, which I love. I’ve played in bands and volunteered at schools, sharing my love for music and teaching with others. I’m also passionate about traveling and experiencing new cultures. In the Bay Area, I’m focused on building my community, volunteering with LGBTQ+ and STEM organizations including National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and connecting with people with similar interests.
