Root to Rising with Christine Hummel

Ep. 3 — “Confidence Isn’t Magic: Ream Qato on Owning Your Voice, Career Pivots, and Motherhood”

Episode snapshot

Christine sits down with Ream Qato—Chicago-born Palestinian American, pharmacist (PharmD), Booth MBA, market-access leader, and mom of three—about building confidence the unglamorous way (reps, not magic), career pivots from chemistry to pharmacy to business, speaking up when you’re the only woman in the room, and designing a life by your own values. Ream also shares her long-term mission: expanding access to rare/orphan drugs in emerging markets, especially the Middle East.

Key takeaways

• Confidence is a skill, not a trait. Ream “pinched herself” to speak up the first few times—then it became second nature.
• Say it before someone else does. Over-editing your ideas costs you influence.
• Design your balance by the week, not the day. Think average over time rather than perfect daily equilibrium.
• Own your values. Live by your standards, not others’ expectations—at work, at home, and in your community.
• Don’t pre-decide for other women. Offer opportunities; let them choose.
• Purpose fuels perseverance. Ream’s North Star: bringing rare-disease therapies to new regions that can support access but are often overlooked.

Chapters & timestamps

• 00:00 Welcome & purpose of Root to Rising
• 00:35 Meet Ream: South Side roots, identity, and growth
• 01:45 College path: UChicago chemistry → PharmD (UIC) vs. PhD decision at the kitchen table
• 03:30 From clinician to MBA: spotting system gaps and moving into market access
• 06:03 Role models: educator mom, academic family, and the power of example
• 09:12 Advice for grads: reflect, test, align enjoyment with strengths
• 12:21 Building confidence: speaking up as the only hijabi/Muslim woman in the room
• 14:59 Overthinking vs. influence: say it sooner
• 18:12 When others get credit for your unsaid idea—what to do next
• 21:03 Motherhood & work: pressure, judgment, and choosing what works for your family
• 28:51 Rethinking “work-life balance”: aim for the weekly average
• 31:08 Loss, priorities, and scheduling with intention
• 33:13 Boundaries at work: you can say no without apology
• 34:53 Big goals: expanding rare/orphan access in emerging markets; representation in leadership
• 37:22 Why Ream wears hijab: identity, accountability, and values
• 39:49 Words for younger women: “Don’t take no” & live by your value set
• 41:16 Close & next steps

Memorable quotes

• “Confidence came after the reps. I had to pinch myself to speak up the first few times.” — Ream
• “Offer the opportunity—don’t decide for her.” — Christine
• “Live life by your own value set, not the values others put on you.” — Ream (advice from her father)

Try this: confidence reps you can do this week

1. Speak first once per meeting. Make a clarifying point or frame the goal.
2. Two-minute rule. If you’ve held a point for 2 minutes, share it.
3. Weekly balance check. Plan your average: one day heavy work, another heavy family—on purpose.
4. Opportunity audit. List one opportunity you’re qualified for but haven’t asked about—then ask.