People Power Pager: Aanya Udyavar, Business Development Manager
At Pager, the driving force behind everything we do is our employees. Team members are mission-driven and critically focused on what they can do to help individuals improve their health and make better decisions. We’re proud to have a team of unique individuals who bring different strengths, perspectives, and interests to our organization.
In this series, we spotlight an employee to learn more about the work they do and what drives them. We spoke with Aanya Udyavar, a Pager Business Development Manager.
Who are you, and what is your role here at Pager?
I’m Aanya and I am a Business Development Manager here at Pager. One of my favorite things about my role is how closely I work with our C-suite and senior leadership on building strategy and driving growth at our company.
The ‘growth’ part of my responsibilities lies in driving the sales pipeline, which involves performing due diligence on potential clients, determining what their most important technology and care services needs are, and identifying how Pager can provide the most value through our platform. I also lead our product demos, showcasing how both our front end and back end products work together, and ensuring clients gain a clear understanding of how we are differentiated from traditional virtual care.
The ‘strategy’ part of my role involves examining market trends and the competitive landscape and ensuring Pager’s product roadmap capabilities address what is lacking in the market.
Outside of my core BD responsibilities, I am also a member of the Pager Culture Committee. It is important to me to drive meaningful changes in areas such as transparency, diversity and inclusion, and workplace mental health. The committee’s philosophy is that we already know we work for a great company, but we can work to continue to make it even better. Whether it's people that have been around for years or people that just joined, I love that we are all so passionate about building a better Pager.
“I feel motivated if I can wake up every day and be excited about my job, and also still be learning. When I feel like I can execute my responsibilities perfectly is when I know that something needs to change. ”
What drives you? What's the thing that motivates you when you first wake up in the morning?
I am professionally motivated if I can wake up every day and be excited about my job. And secondly, but most importantly, if I am still learning and growing in my role. When I feel like I can execute my responsibilities too perfectly is when I know that something needs to change. For me, professional development is so incredibly important.
I carry that through my personal life as well, whether it’s a new workout I'm trying or a new recipe I'm cooking; I'm always trying to improve. If I ever feel stagnant, I know I need to figure out how to change that. That's what drives me day in and day out.
Are there any projects you’re working on currently that excite you?
I came from a background in management consulting where I worked with Medicare clients, so I am using that experience to think about how our product can work best for that population. They have their own set of challenges and we want to ensure we implement strategies that drive high engagement and utilization. Additionally, the Pager value proposition for payers and providers is different, so it’s important for me to gather and deliver unique insights about the long-and short-term impact Pager’s product can generate.
“What else can I do? I don’t know how to do this, but I want to try. Give me a chance to showcase my abilities.”
I also really enjoy dipping my feet in work outside of the business development team and working collaboratively across the company. Lately, I have been working with the marketing team to produce a white paper on Medicare Star Ratings, with our product team to revamp our existing demos and showcase newer features, and with our sales team to push clients through the sales pipeline. Being given these new responsibilities is really exciting to me because I'm always just trying to prove to myself that I can do it – and I love challenges. So I'm always asking my manager, "What else can I do? I don't know how to do this, but I want to try. Give me a chance to showcase my abilities."
You joined Pager at a time where we had already moved to a fully remote setting, so you have a unique perspective. Have there been any activities that have helped you with remote work from home life?
I moved to New York in July of 2020, during quarantine. So I've been exploring the city a lot through running, and am now preparing to run a half marathon later this year. Somehow, all my best friends from college (go Tar Heels!) also happen to live in the city, so my weekends are spent exploring new restaurants, checking out art museums, and trying every Dominique Ansel Cronut of the month.
I am also the lead of Pager’s book club, as I love to read and am constantly on the hunt for a new, local bookstore. Our current chosen Pager book is Supper Club by Lara Williams, which is a story with three of my favorite things: good food, strong female friendships, and promoting gender equality.
Is there anything else that you would like to share about you?
I'm very passionate about women’s empowerment at work. Late last year, I attended the Forbes Women's Summit virtually, which had some really interesting and valuable sessions from women executives at tech companies. The Womxn at Pager Group also meets monthly informally to discuss issues important to us and how we can best support each other both at and outside of work. Especially during quarantine, it’s been incredible having this time to connect and learn from other dedicated, passionate women at Pager and beyond.
Thank you, Aanya, for all that you do and all that you bring to the Pager community!
Interested in joining our team? Learn more and check out open roles here.
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