A new beginning

Yesterday I officially became the Head of Animal Health Business Unit of Boehringer Ingelheim. I feel I am at a start of an exciting chapter of my life that has been unfolding for the past couple of months when I had a chance to visit some animal health offices and sites, as well as some key customers. Those who know me may find strange that I am talking about a new beginning when I’ve built my career in this company and changed positions several times.

For some reason, however, this time it feels a bit different. During the last couple of months I’ve met a lot of my new animal health colleagues, in Germany and abroad, as well as some of our key partners and customers. I’ve seen strong and deep passion in the work our people do. I have a great respect for this business that, as a market leader, is shaping the animal health industry. 

I have often mentioned - to the amusement of some of my colleagues - that I feel like a ‘little puppy’, listening and absorbing all the information, being amazed at what I've heard, enthusiastic about what’s to come, slowly becoming part of the large animal health family in Boehringer Ingelheim.

Like many colleagues - and maybe that is why there's so much passion at Boehringer Ingelheim animal health - I believe the lives of animals and people are intertwined in deep and complex ways and we have much work ahead of us in pursuing uncovering innovative ways to make a difference to animals’ and people’s lives alike. I look forward to working on the opportunities this fast-growing industry presents and tackling challenges that may get in our way. The market is very dynamic, changing at a speed of light, and expectations are high from all our stakeholders. But I like a challenge and am ready.

I will continue to interact internally and externally going forward. I am convinced that leadership and continuous learning, also through listening, are closely connected. And, as Martin Luther King Jr. said,

“Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

I can clearly see quite a few steps ahead of me and I look forward to climbing and meeting you over there.

Let us stay connected.

All the best,

Jean