What inspired you to pursue a career in HR at Bayer?

My focus from the start of my career was on people, and people’s connection to wider business strategy. Bayer’s mission „Health for All, Hunger for None“ truly resonated with me. Working at Bayer HR Team offers a unique opportunity to build high-performing teams whose work ultimately supports life-changing solutions making it incredibly meaningful for me.

How has your upbringing influenced your approach to leadership and talent management?

I grew up with strong role models who taught me the values of empathy, resilience, and lifelong learning. These values shape my leadership style and lead me to support people-first HR strategies. I believe great leadership means inspiring others to grow. Great leaders make employees feel valued and supported.

What is Bayer’s HR mission in the Middle East region, and how does it support employees?

At Bayer, our HR mission is centered on building a dynamic, inclusive, and high-performing work culture. We focus on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent while ensuring employees feel engaged, supported, and empowered.

What initiatives have you led to improve workplace culture and employee well-being?

I’ve had the privilege of leading several initiatives aimed at fostering a positive workplace culture, including:

• Flexible Working Arrangements where our employees are empowered to achieve regardless of where and where to work
• Extended maternity and paternity leaves which are beyond the industry benchmark
• Professional Development Assistance for Talents Policy to support our talents financially for their professional development aspirations like MBA, certification programs
• Local Recognition Policy to recognize and reward achievements of our diverse talents

How do you see HR evolving in the pharmaceutical sector over the next decade?

HR will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future workplace and will continue to evolve as a strategic partner. Over the next decade, I expect to see:

• Automating HR processes for greater efficiency and data-driven decision-making
• Adapting to remote and hybrid work structures
• Creating work models and project opportunities ensuring talent flow
• Placing greater emphasis on mental health, flexibility, and holistic well-being

What has been the most rewarding aspect of leading HR for Bayer in this region?

The most fulfilling part of my role is seeing how HR strategies help people and build an inclusive company culture. It’s rewarding to watch our diverse employees grow and develop their skills as they reach their full potential.

How do you foster diversity, inclusion, and gender equality within Bayer?

When it comes to diversity and inclusion, we walk-the-talk through many policies and practices such as:

• Business Resource Groups like GROW (Growing Representation and Opportunities for Women), so we provide platforms where employees can connect, share experiences, and drive change.
• Leadership Link program where female employees can get mentoring opportunities from senior leaders across Bayer.
• New Leader Workshops to accelerate building trust and collaboration between teams and newly joined/appointed people leaders.
• Gender Pay Gap Analysis that we conduct regularly to ensure that there are no pay discrepancies between female and male employees who work in similar positions.
• Inclusive hiring practices where we provide equal opportunities with diverse panel assessments and using multiple assessment tools

What are the biggest HR challenges in the pharmaceutical industry today?

The industry is evolving rapidly, bringing new HR challenges, such as: Retaining top talent, navigating organizational changes while ensuring the productivity of our employees, dealing with cost-cutting measures while ensuring high quality and compliance in HR services, and addressing employee health and well-being issues

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance in your demanding role?

That’s a million-dollar question for me because there are times when I work long hours on a project or task that I’m passionate about. I make a conscious effort to unplug after work, spend quality time with my family, and invest in my personal interests. I also encourage my team to embrace flexibility and prioritize their own time off.

What leadership qualities do you believe are essential for success in HR?

Successful HR leaders need to bring together a mix of skills and mindsets, including: Empathy, learning agility, resilience, change management and adaptability, and strong communication and stakeholder management.

How does HR contribute to making Bayer a leader in innovation within the industry?

HR plays a crucial role in driving innovation by collaborating with leaders on: 

• Attracting and retaining top talent 
• Fostering an inclusive workplace culture
• Providing continuous development opportunities 
• Enhancing employee experience and well-being

What future plans do you have to enhance HR practices at Bayer?

Looking ahead, I am primarily focused on enhancing HR efficiency, fostering a thriving workplace for everyone, strengthening talent flow initiatives, and creating meaningful development opportunities for both the HR team and all employees.