On Female Leadership and the European Spirit

Last week, I left the U.S. for the first time since the beginning of the global pandemic. My destination: Puurs, Belgium, one of the manufacturing sites for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. On site, 3,000 Pfizer colleagues work tirelessly to provide the world with potentially life-changing medicines and vaccines.

In the midst of the European vaccination campaign, Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, visited the facility to have a closer look at the groundbreaking technology used to manufacture the vaccine and the steps involved in the process. I was thrilled about the opportunity to join the delegation of Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla; Belgium’s Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo; and BioNTech Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer ?zlem Türeci.  

As I reflect on the trip, I am deeply inspired by ?zlem Türeci and President von der Leyen. I had heard and read a lot about them over the last few years and meeting them in person was remarkable.

When ?zlem Türeci addressed the proud colleagues, who had worked so hard for so many months, I was impressed by her eloquence. She spoke from the heart – with every word, you could feel her passion as a physician, a scientist, and a founder. As I congratulated her afterwards, she said to me, “People like to know the human side.” This stuck with me. With science, we can overcome diseases, create cures and beat pandemics, and I love getting to know the people behind it. ?zlem Türeci is brilliant, kind and modest.

The first thing I noticed about President von der Leyen was her incredible presence. She was knowledgeable, asked thoughtful questions and really took time to meet the colleagues at the site. As the first woman to serve as Germany’s minister of defense (2013–19) and the first woman to be elected president of the European Commission, she is a true trailblazer. In her remarks, she underlined the importance of overcoming difficulties, of working hard and sticking together. In my mind, this encapsulates the European spirit of international collaboration and cohesion.

It was great to feel this spirit and see two inspiring women lead the way. The pandemic has shed a light on the incredible power of female leadership and collaboration.  

Pictured above: Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President; ?zlem Türeci, BioNTech Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer; Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO; and Belgium Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo.