A debate in Regina Gueren Lombardi’s first SJC Brooklyn class in September 1991 played a vital role in shaping her college journey and subsequent successful pharmaceutical career.
The class, Sister Mary Maier’s popular The Ascent of Man — based on the works of Dr. Jacob Bronowski, a Polish-British mathematician and historian known for developing a humanistic approach to science — traced the development of science and the arts as gifts characteristic of the human species, human understanding of the universe, and its impact on human thought and imagination.
Mrs. Lombardi, who graduated in 1995 with a B.S. in Chemistry, said she will never forget the debate on the first day of class when a classmate asked S. Mary how a Catholic nun, who is devoted to literal Bible interpretation of creation, could simultaneously believe in the theory of evolution and the ascent of man.
“Smiling from ear to ear and, beautifully and profoundly sharing her reply, I will always remember the exchange,” Mrs. Lombardi recalled. “With such conviction, she purported the undeniable ascent of man as scientifically factual and urged all in the room to embrace the notion that science and religion can co-exist, shared an impromptu lesson on the allegorical interpretation of the Bible, specifically Genesis’ creation, and impactfully showcased, in that initial introduction, her intermingling passion for both science and her Catholic faith.
Mrs. Lombardi continued: “She couldn’t fathom how anyone could deny the existence of an overseer of the pure magnificence and vastness of the universe, cosmos, of the Big Bang Theory, questioning to all of us, ‘How can anyone deny that something so perfect was by accident?’”
Since that moment, Mrs. Lombardi admired S. Mary’s intelligence, humanity, humbleness, and the innate happiness she exuded daily.
Mary’s first impression — and the rhetorical question posed in the debate — stuck with Mrs. Lombardi for the next four years, inspiring her Senior Honors Thesis: “Can Science Provide Hints to an Existing God? A Thermodynamic View”
From SJC Brooklyn to a Pharmaceutical Career
Mrs. Lombardi discovered her love for chemistry as a student at St. Edmund High School, an all-girls Sisters of St. Joseph-affiliated school, where she graduated as valedictorian. She graduated with many of the same emotions accomplished high school students have: excitement, pride, and anticipation, but also uncertainty, an increased sense of responsibility, and fear of not choosing a path that would lead to happiness and success. She had many interests, such as nursing, pharmacy, and forensics — but she didn’t know what she wanted to do as a career.
Then, S. Mary helped Mrs. Lombardi secure a paid internship at Pfizer Inc.’s flagship manufacturing facility in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. By her junior year, Mrs. Lombardi accepted an offer to work for the pharmaceutical company’s In-Process Quality Assurance department while pursuing a full course load.
The rest was history: Mrs. Lombardi led a successful career, working for Pfizer in Quality and Regulatory CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) departments for 23 years, and now, sits as the Head of Quality Systems Operations, for Sanofi U.S. LLC, where she worked for the last six years.
Mrs. Lombardi said she is proud to be a steward and partner for Sanofi’s patients. As part of her job, she ensures products comply with the company’s ethical and regulatory requirements across the life cycle of products and services with a constant focus on patients. Current leadership oversight in North America spans areas of pharmaceutical process, product, and system deviation, CAPA (Corrective and Preventative Actions), change, and risk management, digital asset validation/qualification, quality systems and inspection management, and indicator reporting.
“At work, I enjoy mentoring others, helping to ensure I raise the level and intensity of my support and allyship to internal talent and those individuals who have definitive career development aspirations, particularly those of my immediate team, who have proven time and again of their expertise and commitment to company imperatives,” Mrs. Lombardi said. “I’m also proud to be a woman of science and a role model for my two young boys, supporting them as I was supported, especially by those integral relationships built and experiences at St. Joseph’s College and those formative years at Pfizer.”
Mrs. Lombardi said she “owes a debt of gratitude for S. Mary Maier’s unwavering support,” as “it carved the trajectory of her career.”
After graduating from St. Joseph’s Mrs. Lombardi earned an MBA from Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey. She lives with her husband, Stephen, and fraternal twin sons, Michael and Joseph, in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Reflecting on Her SJC Journey
Mrs. Lombardi said she chose St. Joseph’s because of its academic rigor and reputation. She liked the small, picturesque campus — which she said complemented her personality — along with the warm faculty and staff. She was also a scholarship recipient.
“The education was great, readying students for business, for life, for advocacy and for pursuing life’s goals,” Mrs. Lombardi said.
At SJC Brooklyn, Mrs. Lombardi was part of the rigorous Honors Program. She fondly remembered the special honors courses, which brought students together across fields of study under “Perspectives of our World” in their first semester of study. Each year, Mrs. Lombardi and her peers completed supplemental Honors work and explored exciting New York City destinations through the program.
Outside the classroom, Mrs. Lombardi enjoyed taking part in the Science and Art clubs and joining cultural trips shared with other college students.
“There was a genuineness in relationship building, integrity, and faith.” Mrs. Lombardi said. “It wasn’t a time of social media. In many ways it was simpler and pure; it was inviting to share opinions without reprisal, anonymity was unnecessary, truly embodied what college should be — learning and sharing in a respectful way, considering thoughts and views as different or similar to one’s own and seeing another person’s experience through their eyes without casting judgment.”
At the College, Mrs. Lombardi loved studying in a quiet alcove on the second floor of McEntegart Hall Library with her friends, Elsie (Thevenin) Jones and Anna Maria (Badalamenti) Gambino.
“It was a special place,” Mrs. Lombardi said of the library. “It was peaceful, optimal for studying and a great meeting place to connect with friends.”
Looking back on her career and SJC journey, Mrs. Lombardi has advice to share with current students.
“Believe you can do it,” she said. “Try not to focus on the result, but think about earning a college degree as building yourself to the first rung of a ladder – the first rung of mastery. The life ahead will take you even further, but getting to that first rung is pivotal; it’s an awakening, it’s so truly rewarding, and it is life changing.”
She continued: “It’s in the triumphs and the failures of every day that take you to the place you need to be. And from there, continue to take action, continue to believe – but work, be committed, and know without a doubt that your integrity and grit will define you far more than any failure or hardship.”
