What were the three leadership decisions that shaped your career - and how can other women apply those lessons?
Throughout my career, I've made three key decisions that have shaped not only my path but also the way I approach challenges and opportunities. First, I embraced new challenges by moving across countries and zones, staying flexible and open to opportunities that stretched my comfort zone and built resilience. Second, I prioritized my personal life when it mattered most. Especially when I became a mother, I recognized that leadership also means honouring your own journey. Finally, I committed to staying current with technology and global shifts, continuously learning and aligning with change. For women leaders, these lessons show that courage, balance, and curiosity are powerful tools to grow authentically while leading with purpose.
Have there been moments where breaking the rules or your own playbook opened new doors for you?
I've never believed leadership should be bound by rigid rules. It is a personal journey, and we each write our own story. My playbook has been built on authenticity: seeing every colleague as a unique individual, giving them the attention they deserve, and staying connected to all levels of the company, from factory workers to senior management. I've learned that overcommunicating fosters clarity and admitting "I don't know" creates trust. It's in these moments of true honesty; doors have opened the widest, because true leadership emerges when people feel trusted, valued, heard, and inspired to succeed together.
What's one habit or principle that has carried you through the hardest leadership challenges?
The principle that guided me through the most difficult leadership challenges is to stay focused on what you are meant to do, without being distracted by the noise around you. In moments of uncertainty, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters, but I have learned that clarity comes from narrowing your attention to the present and what you can influence. By doing so, I find both resilience and purpose. This mindset not only helps me navigate challenges but also inspires my teams to stay grounded, confident, and committed, even in the face of complexity and change.
If you could pass on one 'survival skill' for women leading in global business today, what would it be?
If I could share one survival skill with women in leadership, it would be resilience - always coupled with positive thinking. Challenges will come in many forms, but what defines us is how we respond to them. Resilience provides the strength & flexibility to keep moving forward, while optimism allows us to see possibilities where others might see only barriers. Together, they create a mindset that transforms setbacks into opportunities for growth. This balance of strength and positivity not only sustains us through difficult times but also inspires those around us to keep striving with courage and hope.
