Our people create meaningful impact inside, outside and beyond our company.
Whether through our One Young World program, Kudos Awards, or mental health platforms, our people take decisive, meaningful action that benefits our entire organization.
Our Stories
Empowering the next generation: the One Young World Summit
Advancing and accelerating women through the WIN ERG
Recognizing excellence: at our inaugural Kudos Awards
Platforming well-being with our mental health program
Empowering the next generation: the One Young World Summit
A dsm-firmenich employee story, as told in conversation with Nadia Sharma, Senior Engineer, R&D Biomedical
The One Young World Summit is a global young leadership conference that brings together 2,000 people from over 190 countries to discuss some of the biggest global challenges facing humanity.
Every year, we send a delegation of our best and brightest along to find new ways to develop themselves personally and professionally. Then, upon their return to the company, the idea is for them to use everything they have learned to drive change within the business, creating a feedback loop of enhancement and empowerment that benefits everyone involved.
So Nadia, how many employees participated in the One Young World Summit in 2024?
In 2024, our delegation comprised 15 young leaders from across our organization, all of them highly motivated. With everyone coming from a different department, culture, and geographic location, this group was extremely diverse.
How was the delegation chosen?
After answering a set of questions in a self-nomination process, candidates are shortlisted and reviewed by both the HR and our talent departments. Applicants are assessed on their motivation, ideas, and abilities. On returning from the Summit, our young delegates have a brief to implement projects directly inspired by their participation. These run for 100 working days, and their results are reported directly to our CEO.
Could you give an example of one of these projects?
One of the four projects designed and led by our delegates this year involved working to empower underprivileged young people by providing skills, tools, and connections to help develop their talents. In just three months, we launched six events in three countries, engaging more than 60 employees and impacting more than 980 lives.
90% of project beneficiaries reported broadened career horizons, increased inspiration, and more diverse perspectives. 87% said they would welcome another similar project.
When I think about the One Young World Summit, I’m really very proud of our company. By attending, our group has developed real leadership skills and built up a sense of purpose that goes beyond ourselves. Speaking personally, I’m thrilled I got to use this summit to better connect with our community.
What were the benefits of these initiatives for dsm-firmenich itself in 2024?
Overall, impressions of our company and employee interconnectedness improved significantly. Beneficiaries of the projects inspired by One Young World found our people kind, sincere, and passionate, and appreciated the scientific rigor of our work.
As for our young delegates, more than 91% of them reported a positive improvement of their view of dsm-firmenich, increasing engagement with our company values from 76.5% to 98.5%. Additionally, 93.2% expressed an interest in hosting similar events in future.
When is the next One Young World Summit?
It will take place in Munich (Germany) from 3 to 6 November 2025, and young talents from dsm-firmenich will be there.
Advancing and accelerating women through the WIN ERG
A dsm-firmenich employee story, as told in conversation with Lauren Wittenberg, Director eCommerce Sales Health, Nutrition & Care (HNC)
The Women Inspired Network (WIN) Employee Resource Group (ERG) is one of the five pillars of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) strategy.
An entirely employee-led group, the WIN ERG works to advocate gender equality across our business, seeking to provide equal opportunities to all by encouraging positive change in processes and policies. In this story, Lauren Wittenberg reflects on how the WIN ERG grew in 2024, the areas and activities it focused on and the general benefits for all of our employees across the dsm-firmenich business.
So, Lauren, how does the WIN ERG operate and how can employees participate in it?
The WIN ERG group aims to empower, value, and support everyone – regardless of gender – on their professional journey. We aim to be a force for good within the company by clearly articulating the voice of the employee as well as a safe, inclusive space in which all community members and allies can participate in a range of virtual and in-person events or our online community chat, Viva Engage.
What was the primary focus in 2024?
Looking back, there were three main areas:
- Engaging events: We delivered multiple global events on advancing women in the workplace while also dual-tracking the topics to key business areas in women’s health, including menopause
- Leadership development: We helped launch our ‘Rise Together’ program, which provides training and a broader network to high-potential women seeking advancement. We plan to exceed the target of 36% female representation within the company’s leadership by the end of 2025
- Inclusive workplace practices: We helped shape and implement practices to support women going through menopause and menstruation – for example, the availability of wellness rooms and the provision of free sanitary products at all sites
As the Global Lead for our WIN ERG, I appreciate the opportunity to drive impact for people and our business. Alongside our global DEI team, there’s a core group of passionate WIN ERG leaders supporting the advancement of women, so we can shape the future of an even more inclusive workplace.
Why is menopause an important issue for the WIN ERG and how does this relate to our business activities?
Menopause impacts 100% of women, with 80% experiencing symptoms such as hot flushes. It can set in as early as 35, so in an environment where women are progressing in their careers their symptoms may last as long as 15 years.
We want to support women to manage their self-care as much as possible. This relates to our business in that we serve customers and consumers directly through science-backed innovation in beauty care solutions, vitamins, and brands such as Estroven® Menopause Relief. We aim to be part of the conversation, whether launching new products or lobbying in Washington, DC for funding and research.
What is the vision for growing the WIN ERG?
Whether we’re helping to shape DE&I practices, administrating employee benefits, or providing a platform, we are shaping the future of how women thrive in the workplace. Employees see this and want to be part of the movement.
Recognizing excellence: at our inaugural Kudos Awards
A dsm-firmenich employee story, as told in conversation with Luciana Romay, Director Organizational Development and Culture Lead, HR
Luciana Romay has been an integral part of the dsm-firmenich family for seven years. She introduced the Kudos Awards in May 2024 to help recognize some of the incredible work that our colleagues are doing. Here, in her own words, she explains why they are so special.
So, Luciana why were the Awards created?
My idea for the Kudos Awards was to recognize employees who deliver results and embody our values. We wanted to inspire everyone to strive for excellence and make a positive impact within their roles and beyond.
When an employee consistently demonstrates a company value, a peer, direct manager, or other colleague can recognize their efforts by initiating a Kudos nomination process. Once submitted, the employee, the line manager and the HR Business Partner receive an email. Successful nominees receive a monetary reward along with a message of congratulation encouraging them to continue being a Culture Ambassador and to enjoy the reward.
The whole point of these awards was to be about people. Peer-to-peer. Person to person. I wanted to create a way for the employees who work alongside us every day to be recognized not only for their hard work, but their spirit, and their commitment to our company values.
Can you tell us a little about the recipients?
In our first three months, we participated in over 50 countries, received nominations from every function and Business Unit, and saw 7% of people recognized for championing one or more of our values. We were happy to see rapid adoption and the spirit of inclusive recognition.
I work in a very male-dominated field, so being recognized by superiors and co-workers makes me extremely proud. The Kudos Award I got was for ‘being a force for good’ and gave me an incredible boost.
What are the benefits to our organization?
The program helps foster a sense of unity and boosts appreciation by celebrating employees who contribute to our success. At the same time, it reinforces our values.
Can you give us some examples?
We recently gave a Kudos Award for contributions to a taskforce that aimed to define new ways of working within our Digital & Tech organization after the merger. This helped ensure higher-quality new digital solutions were implemented more rapidly to the benefit of customers and colleagues alike. Another Kudos Award was given to honor the care and attention one colleague gave to others to help them achieve better results.
It’s nice to receive a Kudos Award, but it’s even more special to give one. To see the smiles of my colleagues receiving the award is heartwarming.
Platforming well-being with our mental health program
A dsm-firmenich employee story, as told in conversation with Klara VandenBosch, Associate Director of Vitality projects
At dsm-firmenich, the well-being of our employees is always one of our top priorities. We recognize that mental fitness is like physical fitness in the way it is crucial for maintaining a balanced and energized life, both personally and professionally. Here, Klara VandenBosch, Associate Director of Vitality projects, explains why we take mental health so seriously.
So, Klara, why does dsm-firmenich place such a premium on mental fitness at work?
Because mental fitness is what enables us to navigate our daily challenges with resilience and strength. It’s fundamental to our purpose of bringing progress to life.
What are the main features of the program?
The Global Vitality Office is recruiting and training over 600 Mental Fitness Champions (MFCs) in partnership with HSE Global. In addition to their regular work, MFCs are trained to be trusted go-to persons, offering a friendly ear and referring employees for professional help if needed. Our goal is to have MFCs available at every dsm-firmenich location, ensuring support is always close by.
For years companies have seen the value in physical fitness, so this program has been designed to do exactly the same for people’s mental health, helping them develop their resilience both in and out of the workplace.
Why does the program focus on employees helping other employees?
By training MFCs, we aim to foster a supportive work environment in which mental health is openly discussed and stigma can be overcome. MFCs are carefully selected based on their passion for helping others and their ability to observe confidentiality. We encourage all employees to take advantage of this valuable resource and so far, the initiative has been very well received across the business.
The team talker course really enhanced my knowledge of well-being as well as raising my awareness of mental health and situation-handling. As an MFC I always do my best to ensure my colleagues feel safe and happy.
What benefits have been observed to date, and are there plans to expand the program?
More than 400 employees have so far been trained and certified to hold conversations on mental health issues with the aim of normalizing the experience of talking about mental health. More employees, as well as our SHE managers, will be trained in 2025. We’re building a global community of Mental Fitness ambassadors to help create a culture of health at dsm-firmenich.
The class was great and the mental health continuum stuck with me. We shared it with teams in Columbia to encourage asking: Where are you on the continuum today?
