Introducing Joyce Ordonio Leviste, Senior Manager of Quality Operations at Sequoia Biotech Consulting. With 18 years of industry expertise spanning GMP, CRO/CMO, medical device, and research development, Joyce is a seasoned quality leader recognized for her leadership in operational excellence and improvement. She oversees quality project initiatives for our life science partners, drawing on her proficiency in various aspects of quality management systems, such as validation, CAPA, risk management, change management, and product development.

At Sequoia, Joyce and her team specialize in developing phase-appropriate quality systems tailored to the unique needs of each of our life science partners’ organizations. Their approach focuses on fostering a culture of quality that encourages individual empowerment and team collaboration, ensuring that the systems they develop for our clients are not only adaptable but also scalable as their businesses progress and evolve.

When asked about key lessons learned from her experience in leading quality system implementation projects and the critical factors for success, Joyce shared the following insights:

“It’s important to remember that quality isn’t solely the responsibility of one individual or department—it’s a shared commitment that involves everyone. When organizations approach quality as a collective effort, employees are more motivated to uphold and improve quality standards. Additionally, having clear processes and procedures is key to ensuring consistency and reliability as you develop your quality system. Start small and gradually refine your processes to match your organization’s growth. The key to success lies in taking a practical, risk-based approach.”