Catalent is the global leader in enabling pharma, biotech, and consumer health partners to optimize development, launch, and supply of life-saving therapies and life-enhancing products for patients and consumers around the world. With over 50 sites globally, Catalent supplies over 80 billion doses of nearly 8,000 products annually across its businesses. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, Catalent, Inc. (NYSE:CTLT), is an S&P 500® company, and generated nearly $5 billion in revenue in its 2022 fiscal year. Catalent’s Consumer Health business has a 90-year legacy, tracing its roots back to R.P. Scherer, the inventor of the rotary die encapsulation machine responsible for the mass production of the softgel capsule. Since then, Catalent has been partnering with leading innovators across the global consumer health marketplace, providing a broad range of delivery technologies – from softgels to gummies to unit dose topical capsules – as well as expertise in product development, manufacturing, and supply of over-the-counter medicine, nutritional supplement, and topical beauty products. Operating with a clear set of values, and a mission to develop and supply products that help people live better and healthier lives, Catalent’s global work force keeps the patients and consumers who use the products they make at center of everything they do.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we take a closer look at the awe-inspiring journey of a woman who defied all odds to become a C-suite executive for a global S&P 500 company. Her path to success was anything but conventional, marked by setbacks, challenges, and life-altering moments that could have easily discouraged anyone. However, her story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for women around the world, proving that with resilience, determination, and a few guiding lights, one can rise above the most daunting circumstances.
Meet Trish Hunt.
This is a story that starts with humble beginnings, where she learned early on the value of hard work and perseverance. Raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her family, she learned the importance of self-reliance and determination. Trish Hunt recalls, “My brothers and I were brought up to understand the value of hard work. Our mother worked multiple jobs to support us and put herself through college. Under my mother’s roof, trust was non-negotiable. As latchkey kids, we had a tremendous amount of autonomy, but it came with a clear understanding of what was expected from us. The situation dictated our level of independence, but it also fostered a keen sense of accountability.”
Trish Hunt resilience, honed through the lessons of her childhood, became a cornerstone as she faced one of her most challenging chapters. Unfortunately, life took a tragic turn when she became a single mother to two toddlers in her twenties due to a devastating accident, abruptly thrusting her into the complex world of parenthood and the demands of a career. The uphill battle that lay before her would test her resolve like never before. Stoically, Trish Hunt reflects on her journey, stating, “Sometimes you never know why things happen, but in that moment, I realized how important the lessons I learned growing up would be.” As she became a single mother and sole breadwinner overnight, Trish Hunt knew she had to apply the formula of perseverance, hard work, and personal accountability that had been instilled in her from an early age.
Despite the challenges she faced, she held onto the lessons her mother taught her – simply put, to put one foot in front of the other and to remain strong in the face of adversity. Drawing strength from her circumstances, she embarked on a journey fueled by her self-determining nature, pushing through barriers that would have deterred many.
However, she didn’t walk this path alone. Along the way, she was fortunate to have the support of several mentors, both men, and women, who recognized her potential and provided guidance and encouragement. Their mentorship was invaluable, guiding her through pivotal career decisions and helping her navigate the corporate landscape.
Today, she stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, determination, and the importance of mentorship. Her rise to the C-suite of a global S&P 500 company is also a testament to her resilience and unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder to women everywhere that with hard work, courage, and the right support system, anything is possible.
To dive deeper into Trish’s remarkable journey and the insights she gained along the way, we sat down with her for a candid conversation. Read on as she shares her thoughts on overcoming adversity, the importance of not going it alone, and why she believes kindness is a strategic business superpower.
SP: Could you share a bit more about your journey from humble beginnings to the C-suite? What were some of the defining moments or challenges you faced along the way?
TH: I don’t tend to look at my life in a rearview mirror but what I can tell you is that I am very fortunate first and foremost to have been raised by a strong mother. She taught me to focus on getting things done without complaining, a philosophy that has guided me throughout my life and throughout my career. I was fortunate to start my career with The Disney Company where I continued to build a strong foundation.
One month after my twenty-eighth birthday, however, I ended up leaving the “happiest place on earth” and moved across the country to start a new job in banking, an industry I knew nothing about, but the opportunity was a game changer for me and my family financially. However, it was also during this time that my life took an unexpected and transformational turn due to a tragic accident, and overnight, I became a single mother to two toddlers and sole breadwinner for my young family. I was shook.
