Next in our Truvetan Spotlight series, we spoke to Abby Stockwell, Director of Product Marketing, about how she got to Truveta, and her work on a big upcoming project.
Tell us about yourself. How did you get to Truveta?
I’ve been in digital marketing from the get-go. My background has largely been early-stage tech companies on very small marketing teams. As the first or second hire in marketing, I’ve had the opportunity to build from the ground up — it definitely comes with its challenges, but it’s fun. Truveta, as young as we are, is actually one of the larger marketing teams I have been a part of. I saw the chance to join a team and company that was similar in size to what I’m used to, but it came with a really compelling and honorable mission. We’re at such a pivotal stage right now and it’s so exciting to be a part of it.
Prior to Truveta, I led the marketing team at a health tech startup for 3.5 years and that was my first venture into the healthcare space. I learned a ton about the healthcare industry, specifically how life science companies were thinking about and using real-world data. To say I was drinking from a firehose is a huge understatement and that still feels pretty true today.
Before that, I spent most of my career in Washington, DC at various B2B tech companies spanning e-commerce, media, real-estate, and fin-tech. A little bit of a mixed bag of industry experience, but the guts of marketing in a B2B space stay pretty tried and true. I love a good challenge.
What does Truveta’s vision — saving lives with data — mean to you?
I’m so excited about the mission at Truveta. Saving lives with data moves us away from the business of providing access to real-world data and closer to what the data is intended for — better patient care and better patient outcomes. As a B2B marketer, it’s hard to make the connection with the end user or feel like your work is making a difference outside of an enterprise business model. We have a bird’s eye view into how de-identified, deep clinical data that’s been linked together across health systems, is impacting real people. Today we’re helping researchers find cures faster, but tomorrow we have bigger goals to help families make the best decisions about their care. It’s an easy mission and vision to stand behind.
How has the pandemic changed the way you work?
Everyone was remote during COVID and prior to that, I was going into the office every day. When this role came around, I thought, oh I’ve been remote now for a while, this shouldn’t be a big deal. My team at Truveta is scattered across the US, so it requires some maneuvering of schedules and really leaning in to make sure you’re connected to the work. At home, I’m upstairs, my husband is downstairs. Everything is blurry. But when you enjoy your job, it’s not as big of a deal.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
The product is taking shape and coming to life. Our focus in product marketing is constantly working through our messaging and positioning to make sure our differentiators shine, and we have created enough reason for potential customers to engage. The real-world data industry is tricky, and the competitive landscape is dense, so nailing our messaging is crucial. What’s rewarding is seeing this work in action.
Truveta is a disruptor. We’re influencing how people think about real-word data and saying, “You have to think about this differently.” What really matters is the quality, completeness, and timeliness of the data, not just the quantity.
Outside of the product itself, we are building an awesome team and I’m constantly in awe of the people I get to work with. On any given day, I’m collaborating with MDs, clinical informaticists, and product managers focused on AI, not to mention a marketing team with such incredibly diverse backgrounds.
Abby and her husband hiking in Sedona, Arizona.
What’s the best advice you ever received from a mentor?
In a previous role, my manager was leading the digital marketing team and he’s someone I check in with every 4 or 5 months now. He is someone that, if you were told he had multiple Red Bulls at breakfast, you would not be shocked. He’s a go-getter with endless energy and he taught me that to be successful in your career, you have to be a doer. You can create strong relationships, manage a successful team, but you can’t lose the ability to also put your head down and do the work. I think that mentality is a lot of what I enjoy most about being at an early-stage company.
What advice would you give to 20-year-old Abby?
Personally, travel more. I have two kids now and I wish I took more big trips or was a bit more spontaneous in my early 20s. Not that I can’t do it with kids, but it’s harder.
Professionally, trust your gut. I think this is easier said than done and a lot of this ability comes with experience, but I would tell 20-year-old Abby to trust her gut…and her voice.
Abby Stockwell and her family.
