An Important Day for Recognizing Employees

We all know that certain days of the year have significant meaning to different people. Some of these days might not quite be on your radar. For example, did you know there was a National Donut Day? Google it. It’s true. It happens the first Friday of every June and honors the work of the “donut lassies,” female Salvation Army volunteers who served donuts to soldiers during World War I. This year many people will also use the occasion to grab a free donut at shops across the U.S. on June 3.

There are also days to celebrate different heritages, cultures, and cohorts of the population and the contributions of those groups. I love reading about those on LinkedIn and other social media, as you always learn something new and see friends and colleagues celebrating with pride. As a company we always aim to recognize the days that are central to our business, our commitment to science and our commitment to the people that work with us.

With that in mind, we proudly boast on this day, because the first Friday in March is Employee Appreciation Day. A big part of my career has been building teams in the pharmaceutical industry and doing whatever I can to help people have rewarding careers. After more than two decades working in HR, my favorite conversation is still the one when I offer someone an exciting new job. I’m so fortunate to have had that opportunity time and again.

This year, I’m particularly thankful to be in my current role leading the talent and sustainability efforts at Biohaven. And while I lead these efforts along with my team, we only facilitate the work that leaders and managers are doing all across the organization every day. In fact, employee development and mentorship is foundational to the “Biohaven Way,” a set of core values that underlies everything we do. I believe that’s one of the things that make our company a special place.

At Biohaven, expertise trumps all and people check their titles and egos at the door. Here, what matters most is the opportunity to add value – to a discussion, to a project, and to the fulfillment of critical, collective goals. That’s why in our recruitment efforts, we seek to not just fill a box on an org chart (there is not a lot of those floating around Biohaven), but rather, we look to hire experts. Bringing together a team of experts and having them work in a connected, non-hierarchical environment, aligned behind core values, eliminates the barriers to success. It’s a winning formula that is essential in today’s competitive, patient-focused pharma environment where innovation, speed, and agility are key. Biohaven has got that nailed.

Most recently, after working for many years in Big Pharma, I came to Biohaven because I wanted to get closer to the action, so to speak. I was looking to make a broader impact; to be better able to directly see how my decisions, ideas, and interactions can create change and drive progress that benefits patients. I found that in Biohaven’s entrepreneurial environment. Every day, and sometimes every hour, is uniquely different and consistently rewarding. It’s a culture that helps me and my colleagues to truly thrive. It’s no wonder that in our employee base, 90% have been through employee referrals.

In my earlier life, I spent a lot of time on airplanes, traveling from U.S. to Europe, and hopping from one business meeting to the next. Today, on Employee Appreciation Day, I am so glad to have my feet on the ground at Biohaven where I’m tasked with accentuating our unique culture, working alongside so many dedicated and diligent professionals.