Reckitt validation lead Laura Everette spotlights people-first leadership

Influential Women featured Laura Everette, Validation Lead at Reckitt in Wilson, North Carolina, for her 15+ years in pharmaceutical validation and her focus on mentorship, quality systems and risk-based approaches. Everette also shared how authenticity, faith and a willingness to take on new opportunities shaped her career and leadership style.

Why it matters: - Laura Everette’s work sits at the intersection of pharmaceutical quality, regulatory compliance and patient safety. - Her approach reflects a broader shift toward risk-based validation and team development in manufacturing environments. - Everette’s leadership style shows how technical expertise and people management can reinforce each other in quality organizations.

What happened: - Influential Women highlighted Laura Everette, Validation Lead at Reckitt in Wilson, North Carolina. - Everette has more than 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical validation and quality assurance. - She started in the field in 2010 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Barton College. - Her profile included a full bio and profile.

The details: - Everette began her career creating, writing and owning validation documentation across the full validation lifecycle. - Her early work covered manufacturing equipment, IT systems, utilities, facilities and computerized systems. - She now reviews and approves validation documentation at Reckitt. - Everette also guides teams toward more efficient, risk-based validation strategies. - In Reckitt’s startup manufacturing environment, she helps shape validation strategy and standardize approaches across the site. - Her work is aimed at strengthening quality systems while maintaining compliance. - Everette is focused on mentorship and professional development. - Her long-term goal is to build a team of validation subject matter experts within the quality function. - She says her leadership is grounded in grace, respect, integrity and Christian faith. - She also coaches soccer and applies the same people-first approach in family life and work.

Between the lines: - Everette’s “say yes” mindset has helped her take on new assignments before she felt fully ready, which expanded her experience and network. - A major career turning point came when she left a comfortable role for a new opportunity that pushed her outside her comfort zone. - She views that move as proof that growth often follows discomfort. - Early advice from a manager not to change her personality helped her reject the idea that leadership requires conformity. - The phrase “the best leaders always eat last” shaped her belief that strong leaders prioritize the success of others. - Her comments point to the continuing challenge women face in male-dominated pharmaceutical leadership structures. - Everette frames authenticity as an asset, not a limitation, in technical leadership roles.

What’s next: - Everette will continue building validation capability inside Reckitt’s quality organization. - Her focus remains on developing people, improving efficiency and supporting long-term manufacturing growth. - She also plans to keep encouraging younger women in pharma to lead with authenticity and confidence.