Farzana Christy 

We are the makers of possible: Sharing BD Career Wisdom

As a Muslim woman growing up in Bangladesh, Farzana Chisty knew she wanted more. There was a heavy emphasis on becoming a wife and a mom, but little guidance or assurance that she could also have a career.

Fast forward several years, and Farzana is proud and happy with her family life and her role at BD as a Regional Business Manager for the company’s Integrated Diagnostic Solutions (IDS) business in the New England area. She is proof that you can have both.

“I joined BD with a four-month-old boy and was still nursing. This company was so accommodating in its support of me as a new, working mom. It was something I will never forget. That and the fact that our Purpose completely aligns with my values is why I’ve been dedicated and committed to contributing as much as I can to BD,” explained Farzana.

First Name Accurately Describes Her

Farzana shared that her first name means “wisdom” in Persian, which is well-aligned to the guidance and insights she shared about her BD career experience.

Farzana is quick and to the point when she describes BD: “We are a MedTech company that brings innovative solutions to healthcare professionals (HCPs) to positively impact patient care. And I’m very proud that I lead a team that connects with our customers and HCPs daily in educating on new and existing solutions,” she said. “As a Leader, I love bringing out the best in my people. It’s amazing to watch their growth and development.”

As for her own development, Farzana is not one to pass up a stretch assignment or an opportunity to help develop her own skills, and after 13 years with the company, she has no plans to leave. “I’ve met some of the most talented and passionate people at BD who continue to inspire me every day. I am one of 77,000 BD associates making a difference in the world, which is pretty incredible. Now, more than ever, the MedTech industry and our customers need BD.”

Career Influence

Farzana actually set off to become a medical doctor; inspired by her father who was pursuing a medical career while she was growing up. A draft notice would soon alter his plans as he went off to fight in the Bangladesh Liberation War between West and East Pakistan.

“Our family was always discussing ways to give back to society, how to support society, and more. I always had a strong pull to healthcare and helping others,” she noted.

Farzana holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a minor in mathematics. She took a gap year after college to work as a chemist and found that instead of pursuing med school, she had an interest in obtaining a master’s degree in business administration and marketing. She enrolled in an MBA program, and then worked for a pharmaceutical lab and a distributor before coming to BD.

Husband, Two Boys, and Big Travel Plans

When she is not supporting her team or customers, Farzana might just be on the road – traveling with her family.

“My boys are 13 and 9, so there are a lot of sports events and activities to attend, but my husband and I also believe strongly in fostering two global citizens. We want our boys to visit as many countries and places as possible to gain exposure to different cultures, people, and ways of living. Doing so will make them more tolerant to others, build character, and resilience and grittiness that you need to succeed at life,” Farzana expressed.

As an example, the Chisty’s traveled from New York to Australia pre-pandemic and although it took nearly 30-hours to get there, it was an incredible experience. While the next trip is yet to be decided, one thing you can count on: there will be wisdom gained all along the way.