Celebrating 15 Years with Zoetis and 25 Years in Animal Health: A Journey of Customer Centricity, Family, and Collaborative Growth

This month marks a significant milestone for me —15 incredible years with Zoetis and 25 years in the Animal Health industry. It all began in 1997 with an internship at Novartis Animal Health, where I had the privilege of learning from remarkable mentors and colleagues who shaped my career and ignited my passion for customer-centric solutions.

I owe a great deal to the late Hans-Beat Gürtler, then CEO of Novartis Animal Health, whose leadership and mentorship provided me with almost 12 years of unique development opportunities. My first managers guided me through the formative years, instilling in me the values of dedication and excellence. Subsequent leaders inspired me to push boundaries and embrace change, setting the tone for my future endeavors.

Throughout my journey, I've had the pleasure of collaborating with amazing peers across continents, of which there are too many to name here. And I also had the privilege to benefit from thought leaders, who have broadened my perspective and enriched my understanding of the industry. Their insights have significantly influenced my approach to industry challenges.

From developing a Key Account Management Strategy for one of Asia's largest livestock integrations back in 1997 to serving customers as a sales rep in Florida and collaborating with customers and channel partners in my subsequent roles covering Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Northern Africa, the Netherlands and Belgium and later the livestock businesses in Germany, I have consistently focused on finding solutions together, overcoming challenges through mutual trust and understanding. Customer centricity has been the constant theme—a guiding principle that has shaped my leadership journey. The experiences and lessons from mentors, peers, customers, and my family have taught me:

• Empathy: To genuinely understand and support the needs of teams and customers.
• Humility: To listen actively and learn continuously from those around me.
• Audacity: To encourage innovation and embrace calculated risks for greater rewards.

In my current role as Head of the International Commercial Center of Excellence, these values have been instrumental in crafting our vision. Together with an exceptional team, we're fostering a category-led approach to enhance customer engagement across international markets, driven by insights, real-world evidence, and a robust digital platform ecosystem.

A heartfelt thank you to my leadership team—past and present—for your unwavering support in this journey. Your guidance has been invaluable in building a team poised to make a meaningful impact.

But none of this would have been possible without the steadfast support and love of my wife, Luciana. Since we met in 2007, she has been my rock, partner, and confidante. Her encouragement and understanding have been the foundation upon which I've built not just a career, but a fulfilling life. Together, we've navigated the twists and turns of this journey, and her strength has often been the anchor that kept me grounded.

Our three wonderful children have been the greatest joy and inspiration. Watching them grow into self-determined individuals fills me with immense pride and gratitude. They remind me daily of what truly matters and motivate me to strive for a better future—not just in my professional endeavors but in the legacy we leave for them.

I am also profoundly grateful to my parents, who raised me with love and instilled in me the core values that guide me today. Their teachings about integrity, hard work, and compassion are the same principles Luciana and I aim to pass on to our children. Their belief in me laid the groundwork for all that I've achieved, and I am excited about what the future holds and look forward to continuing this journey together, advancing the Animal Health industry and delivering unparalleled value to our customers.

#Grateful #25Years #Family #CustomerCentricity #AnimalHealth #Leadership #Innovation