What steps were taken in 2023 to enhance safety?

2023 was a year of immense change. With the creation of dsm-firmenich, we had to redesign two company approaches and turn them into one fully aligned model. It turned out that the overlap in values, systems, and roles and responsibilities helped us tremendously in creating the new governance model for our organization. That allowed us to quickly identify our priorities going forward, such as creating aligned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards and Life-Saving Rules for employee safety. We will be rolling these out in the coming months together with our partners in operations, in our labs and offices.

How do high SHE standards help us achieve our goals as a company?

Setting high standards conveys a strong message and delivers clear expectations. For example, our only acceptable ambition is to reach zero incidents. Our leaders need to embrace these high standards, communicating and cascading them throughout their organization to create engagement as well as operational discipline. And it’s also a way of having a common language across all our sites, demonstrating respect for the people who work there.

What does ‘we bring progress to life’ mean to you?

It means much more to me than a company’s purpose. It’s a personal commitment in Animal Nutrition & Health – innovating to sustainably feed the world. I take immense pride in contributing to this cause, bringing my passion together with our customers’ needs for a sustainable and prosperous future.

Which of our company values most strongly resonates with you, and how do you embody it?

Definitely ‘Own the outcome’. Across work and life, we embody this value by pursuing progress. I try to navigate challenges with accountability and ensure that my actions align with our commitment to sustainable solutions. It’s about fostering a culture where outcomes matter as much as individual well-being.

Why does dsm-firmenich place such emphasis on the health and well-being of its employees?

We’re really trying to put our purpose into action for all our people by creating a culture of health at work. It’s a strategic priority that reflects our commitment to fostering positive choices for long-term health and creating a healthy work environment. And it’s a great challenge to take up with my 30 years of experience in occupational health. My team and I share a genuine passion for health and we genuinely want to make the healthy choice the easy choice at work. So at the end of the day, working at dsm-firmenich is healthy!

How do employees make use of the support of the Global Vitality Office?

Our next step will be collaboration with Global Vitality Ambassadors to form a network and learn from each other, helping us to keep our finger on the pulse worldwide. Our first opportunity was the #boostyourvitality platform, launched in 2023, which has a unique dsm-firmenich touch. We’re supporting health and vitality through personalized advice and education on immunity, vitality, and gut health, and offering employees dietary supplements with our top-quality dsm-firmenich ingredients at reduced prices.

We also expanded our partnership with Thrive Global, a leading behavior change company founded by Arianna Huffington. Thrive Global provides resources and interactive support to improve well-being that can also be integrated into individual workflows. This benefits all employees and it’s really valuable for reducing stress levels, reinforcing resilience, and helping to build a healthier work culture.

What does diversity, equity and inclusion mean to you and your teammates?

We have a highly diverse Quality team in TTH, encompassing a range of genders, ages, backgrounds, and life experiences. I feel dsm-firmenich is truly inclusive and empowers every individual to share ideas and achieve our full potential. I’m in an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued for who they are.

Why is diversity, equity and inclusion so important?

Our world is changing profoundly, and our organization needs talents that address this complexity. Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion unlocks strengths within us all. As a female leader, the emphasis on fairness in dsm-firmenich gave me confidence in the equity of the selection process for my position and I felt I could freely express some areas for improvement from a Quality perspective. Beyond work, as a mother of two, juggling home responsibilities with global meetings is indeed a challenge. Hybrid working has been instrumental in helping me manage the demands of both work and life, motivating me to bring together knowledge, perspectives, and experience for the team.