Summarize your career in a few lines
I graduated from Kazan University in Chemistry, where I subsequently carried out research work, and completed my PhD in Organic Chemical Chemistry in Germany. I enriched my scientific studies with an MBA in marketing. I then pursued my career as a Sourcing Director and then Deputy General Manager in large companies in Moscow. I joined the Air Liquide Group as Director of Sourcing and Logistics in Moscow, then Business Development for Seppic, until I reached my current position.
Why did you want to do this job?
I have always wanted my work to be about research, innovation, interesting people and solving new challenges and it fits with my main strengths: a constant desire to learn new things, excellent communication skills, the desire to solve complex problems and organize strong working processes. I am very lucky that I connected my life with chemistry: it is a science that is with us everywhere. Especially important is the knowledge of chemistry for vaccinology and pharmaceuticals, which I always wanted to do. Therefore, I consider working in Seppic a dream job: all my best qualities are realized here. Vaccination with good vaccines is an opportunity to protect animals and people from the most terrible diseases. I am happy to be a part of this important mission.
What drives you in your daily life?
Perhaps the main condition for happiness is a combination of interesting work and no less interesting personal life. If we talk about work, I like to connect different companies with each other according to their goals and objectives, organize them in common complex projects, so that in the end all these parts of the project work clearly, as a whole, and create excellent vaccines or medicines. Since I have a lot of experience in international work, I have a pretty good idea of the mentality of different countries. This allows me to organize the work of companies from different cultures most effectively. I believe in humanity, that people are reasonable and strive to become better, regardless of the country - and the progress is continual. I enjoy being a part of and a driving force behind progress. On a more personal side, I am married and we have a grown daughter. I deeply value friendship and good colleagues. I like drawing and offering my paintings to friends, and everyone gets exactly the picture that they like the most. I also enjoy singing with friends and clients - we all sing great together at karaoke! Finally, I love listening to my friends' stories and writing short stories and novellas based on them. To summarize, my driving force is the desire to progress and improve the lives of everyone I love and respect.
What are you most proud of? What would you say is your greatest achievement?
I will probably not be able to name my greatest achievement in life - it will be possible to name it with confidence only at the very end of my life. I hope there are many more achievements ahead. During the six years of work of Seppic in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries, together with the vaccine developers, we have created 70 new and highly effective animal vaccines based on Seppic adjuvants. These vaccines for poultry, cattle and pigs protect them from the most terrible diseases. As result and thanks, among other things, to my efforts - during my time with the company I grew Seppic sales in CIS countries.
What has been your biggest challenge in your professional life?
I would say organizing the purchasing process at Air Liquide to support the growth of the country’s production sites for which I was responsible for at the time. Together with my team, over one year, we created a highly effective team of professionals who worked very efficiently. We established basic procurement and logistics procedures, implemented an ERP system with a user-friendly interface for all company employees, and we adjusted all processes. Our purchasing experience has been taken over by other divisions of the Group. At the same time, all our employees liked not only working together, we even spent some of our free time together, went in for sports, and went on vacation. We still meet together, communicate, and share knowledge: most of the team members now work in important positions in various large European and global companies. Creating an effective and friendly team was not an easy task, and we did it!
How has Seppic accompanied you throughout your career?
Seppic supported me throughout all my years of work with the company. The people who work in our company are special, I always feel their warmth, their friendship and support. I feel good and comfortable not only to work, but also to communicate with colleagues, to learn from them - it's a great pleasure! My warmest impressions are from the team that deals with adjuvants. Every time I meet them, I learn a lot. The development of new adjuvants invariably causes delight and admiration. I am very happy to be part of this team. Support is especially important when times are tough. Recently, Seppic helped me keep my job, invited me to work in Europe, all my colleagues support me both in word and deed - I really appreciate it.
If you had to give one piece of advice to a young woman starting out in her professional life, what would it be?
Work should bring pleasure - the same as in all life. If the work is interesting, if it is a joy - then the results of the work will also be excellent. So my advice is: love what you do and do what you love to do. Never be afraid of difficulties, new horizons - it's interesting and exciting! You should only be afraid of routine, stagnation, stop development. If, however, you always strive for something new, complex, without being afraid to radically change your activities, then growth and interesting professional activity will always be with you.