Celebrating Women’s Empowerment at MSD

On March 14 the MSD Czech Republic proudly hosted the Sustainable Brunch, an event organized by the Association of Social Responsibility in celebration of International Women’s Day. This gathering brought together over 120 leaders, innovators, and change-makers to honor women’s achievements and discuss the barriers they continue to break. 

At MSD, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace, with nearly 33% female representation in our IT workforce. This commitment is not just about numbers; it reflects our dedication to creating an environment where every individual can grow professionally while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefit system is designed to support both career aspirations and personal well-being, including 12-week gender-neutral parental leave where MSD tops up the statutory pay to the equivalent of 100% base income, wide range of flexible working arrangements, and access to Human Health and Animal Health company products for our employees. 

The event featured impactful keynote speeches. Dr. Tomáš Šebek, a distinguished surgeon and humanitarian, opened the conversation by sharing his experiences in humanitarian missions. He emphasized the essential roles that women play in healthcare leadership, highlighting the critical need for advocacy in promoting gender equality. “I would like to see more female leaders across all industries. Whenever someone raises the flag, I will support them,” he stated.   

Irena Prášilová, MSD’s Technical Project Management Director, delivered a powerful message about the internal barriers women often face: “The hardest glass ceiling to break is the one we create in our own minds. Women often wait until they feel completely qualified to seek promotions, while men take the leap much earlier.” This insight serves as an important reminder for women to recognize their qualifications and pursue opportunities with confidence. 

In line with our commitment to social responsibility, MSD collaborated with Nadace Moment, represented by Veronika Hubková, to organize a Business Attire Collection. This initiative allowed attendees and our colleagues to donate their unworn professional clothing, laying the foundation for raising funds for eight local NGOs and reinforcing our role in giving back to the community. 

We extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the Sustainable Brunch, especially Irena Prášilová for her inspiring leadership message and Ľubomíra Nemčovská for her exceptional organization of the event. We also thank the Association of Social Responsibility for trusting us to host this significant gathering. 

As part of our commitment to create an environment where employees can thrive both professionally and personally, we continue to welcome collaborations with partners who share our passion in advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

Leading with Empathy: An International Women’s Day Interview with Barbora Hlavinková

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we spoke with Barbora Hlavinková, a Manager in Order Management at MSD Czech Republic. As we focus on fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, we support women’s development through various avenues, including Women’s Network employee resource group, which offers opportunities for engagement, mentorship, and leadership—an initiative in which Barbora actively participates.

Barbora, your career journey has taken you from hospitality to consulting and eventually to leading teams in a corporate environment. What key moments shaped your professional path?

My career journey has been marked by several pivotal moments. Transitioning from hospitality, where I gained invaluable experience in customer service and operations, to a consulting role helped me develop strong managerial and analytical skills and understand the corporate environment, which was very different from previous hospitality experiences.

A significant highlight was when I had the opportunity to open and lead a hotel in Brno at just 25, which fulfilled my life dream and provided me with critical insights in leadership and conformity in a changing environment. After my kids were born, I needed to reevaluate my career path because I did not want to return to that time-demanding environment of hospitality, and started to look for a new direction. My goal is always to choose a job that provides me with the opportunity of constant learning. Each step, including my move to MSD and progressing to a people manager role, has confirmed my perspective on the importance of adaptability and continuous development.

We know that you are very empathic, active in everything you do, and passionate about continuous learning and self-reflection. You’ve recently completed a Development program offered by MSD Coaching community focused on coaching skills – how has this affected your leadership style and interactions with your team?

I am very passionate about people, their various experiences, and perceptions of life and have been since forever. Joining the Coaching community at MSD was a great decision and an amazing experience. Besides the interesting networking and meeting people with the same passion and interest, completing a coaching course has profoundly influenced my leadership style. It has enhanced my ability to empathize and actively engage with my team members.

This course focused on various coaching techniques and it helped me enhance the skills of my team, promote personal development, and foster a supportive work environment. Last but not least, participating in a coaching academy helped me give and receive feedback more effectively. This training has equipped me with tools to facilitate better communication and collaboration within the team, ultimately creating a more cohesive and motivated work atmosphere.

As a leader, you emphasize the importance of development of your team. What approaches or principles guide you in helping others grow?

My approach to team development is centered on mentorship, open communication, and my ability to connect people. I believe in personalized development plans that align with each team member’s career aspirations. I regularly encourage feedback sessions to discuss progress and challenges, and I promote a growth mindset by providing opportunities for training and professional development. By empowering my team to take ownership of their growth, I foster an environment where continuous improvement is both encouraged and celebrated.

Have you experienced any challenges as a woman in leadership? How did you handle them?

Yes, I have faced challenges as a woman in leadership, particularly regarding balancing professional and personal responsibilities. I handle these challenges by actively seeking support from mentors and participating in networks that advocate for women in leadership. Sharing experiences with other women has been empowering and has reinforced the importance of resilience and mutual support. I focus on creating an inclusive environment that champions diverse perspectives, which helps mitigate the challenges we face. I also learned to delegate by changing my mindset and understanding that I give my team opportunities for their personal growth by doing so.

You are involved in the Women’s Network. What does this initiative mean to you, and what impact have you seen from such community?

The Women’s Network is my recharger. This group and all topics it involves deeply align with my values and life experience. It serves as a platform for connection, empowerment, and collaboration among women professionals. Through this network, I’ve witnessed increased support for women’s advancement and a collective effort to address gender parity in the workplace. It fosters a sense of community and inspiration, encouraging women to pursue leadership roles and share their experiences and insights, ultimately driving positive change in our corporate culture. But not only that! This is an Employee Business Resource Group that sees women in a wider picture, involving topics such as part-time work, age diversity, male allies, parenting and motherhood, and also health issues and prevention.

What does it mean to you to work for a company like MSD? How does this mission influence the way you approach your role?
Working for a company with a purpose to save and improve lives gives profound meaning to my daily work. It instills a sense of responsibility and purpose in everything I do. This influences my commitment to deliver exceptional customer service and ensure our processes support our goal of making a difference in people’s lives. I approach my role with the mindset that each decision and interaction contributes to the greater mission, motivating my team to embrace this purpose as well.

I like to think about my team from this perspective too. As a people manager, I support my team in using the automations and improvements we have available to help with our day-to-day tasks and in working on the work/life balance of employees, including myself. Here, I benefit from my hotel experience, where it was very visible whether a person was doing a job with a purpose or just for a paycheck.

You juggle a demanding career with raising two children. What strategies help you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance involves intentional planning and setting clear boundaries. I am focused on effective time management and delegating responsibilities at work and home when possible. I carve out dedicated time for my children and ensure I am fully present during those moments. It is not always perfect, but I aim to have open and honest communication with them too. Additionally, I engage in activities that recharge me, such as reading, knitting, spending time in the garden, or planning trips to nature. Self-reflection is also vital; it helps me evaluate my priorities and maintain a balance that allows me to thrive both personally and professionally.

Empowering Cyber Immunity:
An Inside Look at MSD’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Team

Can you share some of the biggest challenges you face in tracking cyber threats at a pharma company, and how do these differ from other industries?

Michaela Rojčíková (MR): From a Cyber Threat Intelligence perspective, tracking threats is a difficult endeavor. Many threat actor groups, especially those with financial motivations, frequently rebrand and regroup, making it challenging to consistently track their activities. Compounding the complexity, each vendor uses a different naming convention for threat actors, requiring additional time and effort to synthesize and make sense of their activities.

Operating in the pharmaceutical industry, we are tasked with analyzing a wide spectrum of threats. Some examples include nation-state actors, criminal groups seeking financial gain, and hacktivist groups driven by ideological motivations.

How do you keep up with the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, and what tools or resources do you rely on most?

MR: This is truly a challenge for every security team out there. The sheer volume of attacks pushes us to automate as much as possible. We are constantly figuring out how to reduce noise so that we can focus on the most sophisticated actors.

In order to face them, we need to know how they behave, who they target, and how. Much of the relevant information we receive comes from our partners in the healthcare sector. As a member of Health ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Center), we exchange information about ongoing attacks with our partners from the industry. Cooperation is what cybersecurity is all about. In cybersecurity, competition is set aside, and we all share our knowledge so that we can all be better equipped to face cyber adversaries.

What does Cyber Awareness Month mean to you personally, and how do you approach it to empower others within the company?

MR: For us, Cyber Awareness Month is about empowering our colleagues to become defenders alongside us. We focus on equipping them with the knowledge to spot social engineering techniques and attackers’ tricks, turning them into the first line of defense for our company. Every time someone identifies and reports a phishing attempt to our team, they actively contribute to strengthening our security.

In your LinkedIn profile, you listed your interest in the ethical application of AI within a legislative context. How do you see AI shaping the future of cybersecurity, especially in industries like pharmaceuticals?

Marina La Fontaine (MLF): My interest in legislation around AI began during my master’s program, where my thesis research uncovered the fragmentation of specific ethical concepts in the drafts of the EU AI Act, with a core focus on how the legislation defines “robust” AI in high-risk systems, which related to how “secure” the systems operated. Since conducting my research a few years ago, AI has become the buzzword everyone is talking about! 

AI will shape the future of cyber security because the wide adoption of any technology gives threat actors new ways to conduct attacks and gives defenders new ways to prevent and mitigate those attacks. Even though AI moves quickly, the cybersecurity community is excellent at pivoting and adapting to new technology…this community loves new challenges. It is all about being strategic and intentional with the approach to securing AI and ML systems while incorporating diverse skill sets to ensure the systems are developed and operate securely, are aligned with business goals, and adhere to ethical guidelines in legislation. I believe the pharmaceutical industry is well equipped to embrace the ethical guidelines for AI deployment in their environments.  

You recently completed the Humanitarian Cybersecurity Training Program. How has this certification impacted your approach to cybersecurity, and what insights did it bring to your current role?

MLF: It is no secret that there is a workforce shortage for cybersecurity professionals, and because of this, it is our duty as defenders to collaborate and help one another work as securely as possible. This certification comes from an incredible organization called CyberPeace Institute, which supports NGOs in adapting and enhancing their cybersecurity practices. 

MSD has partnered with the CyberPeace Institute to share our professional knowledge with different NGOs across the globe. Through this partnership, I, along with other colleagues, connect with NGOs concerning different cybersecurity needs. The experience has been great for me on an analytical level as well, as it allows me to apply my knowledge to a context other than pharmaceuticals.

Can you elaborate on how your passion for geopolitics influences your approach to cybersecurity? Are there specific global events or trends you’re currently watching?

MLF: International security and geopolitical tensions have a direct impact on the cyber threat landscape. Cybersecurity is a fascinating field for this reason — it is where the social and technical systems meet. Nation-states utilize their cyber capabilities to achieve their political goals and interests. We work closely with our Global Security Group to assess which geopolitical events they deem relevant to the company from a physical security perspective, and we dive into the potential ramifications of those events in cyberspace. I personally primarily focus on conflicts in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region.

Having worked for the National Cyber and Information Security Agency, how has your experience there influenced your approach to cyber threat intelligence in the private sector?

MR: Working at the National Cyber and Information Security Agency has taught me to always be mindful of our customer’s mindset. In the Agency, our audience was wide-ranging, including the Prime Minister, cybersecurity practitioners, and the general public. We consistently tailored information to meet their specific needs and ensure its relevance to them. This remains crucial also in my current role at MSD, where I engage with a wide range of stakeholders on a daily basis.

As a board member of Women4Cyber Czechia, what initiatives or goals are you currently focused on? How does this role complement your work in cybersecurity?

MR: As a board member of Women4Cyber Czechia, I focus on promoting diversity in cybersecurity. Currently, my efforts are centered on facilitating the entry of more girls and women into the field. 

We have collaborated with the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic on the ‘IT Is for Girls!’ project, as the Czech Republic has one of the lowest ratios of women in IT within the EU. This initiative involves visiting elementary schools to inspire young girls and demonstrate that each of them can excel in the field.

Additionally, I have been providing mentorship to women, particularly those returning from maternity leave, to support their career transition and help them start in cybersecurity.

This month, we are planning a visit for Women4Cyber members at MSD to showcase the company’s operations and the opportunities it offers. From my experience, women entering the field might not be aware of all the career options out there, and the visit is designed to show them the range of opportunities different companies have to offer. 

What do you find most rewarding and most challenging about working in cyber threat intelligence, particularly at a pharmaceutical company?

MR: For me personally, it is the ever-increasing numbers of cyber attacks. The threats in the industry are growing not only in numbers but also in their sophistication. This puts a pressure on us as defenders and keeps us pushing to think of new ways to counter our adversaries.

Meet Jakub Lomberský, Associate Director in AI Software Engineering

Today, we are delighted to spotlight one of our exceptional colleagues with a remarkable and demanding hobby. Meet Jakub Lomberský, Associate Director in AI Software Engineering (Hyperautomation and AI) who is also a passionate pilot, a lifelong dream he’s pursued since childhood.

In his everyday role, Jakub pursues a career in IT and plays a pivotal role in developing products related to emerging technologies, including Big Data, Internet of Things, and more recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI). Currently, Jakub leads three squads focused on AI, playing a key role in enabling and integrating Generative AI technologies across MSD. He takes immense pride in his team’s achievements, often comparing their internally developed solutions favorably to those of large software companies. 

When asked further  about the similarities between flying a plane and working for a pharmaceutical company, Jakub highlights the importance of adhering to strict rules, respecting processes and regulations, and maintaining attention to detail. He humorously mentions that each takeoff feels akin to releasing another feature on the company’s internal GenAI-powered platform. “Both flying and working at MSD can provide an adrenaline rush at times, teaching us to level up your resilience and patience in dealing with stress and ability to multitask, while requiring us to be detail-oriented. At the same time, it also encourages you to continuously learn,” he admits. 

We applaud Jakub for his incredible achievements and unique journeys, which enrich our MSD community with diverse talents and passions. 🛫🌟 

Did you hear? Jakub is now expanding his team and searching for AI experts. Take a look at the list of open positions and apply today! Open Positions.

#MSDTalentSpotlight #PassionProjects #MSDCareers #Teamwork #AIjobs #AIpositions #AIteams 

Meet Mehrdad Doustdar, Managing Director of the Czech branch of MSD

It is my priority that patients receive innovative treatments in time, says Mehrdad Doustdar

The people of the Czech Republic deserve to have access, if seriously ill, to innovative medicines as quickly as patients in Germany or Austria, says Mehrdad Doustdar, the new Managing Director of the Czech branch of MSD (Merck, Sharp &  Dohme s.r.o.) as of 1 November 2023. And the fact that he really means what he says and is committed to do something about it, not only within his parent company, is documented by one somewhat unbelievable stunt – already in December he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Czech Association of Innovative Pharmaceutical Industry (AIFP).

How is it possible that just a few weeks after coming to Prague, you were elected to the board of directors of a local association that brings together 35 other companies located in the Czech Republic that develop and sell innovative medicines?

It’s a great achievement for the whole team. Although MSD is one of the largest players in the innovative pharmaceutical industry in the Czech Republic, before this January the company was not present at the AIFP Board of Directors and had therefore only a limited influence on where the innovative industry in the Czech Republic was heading. When I came to Prague in the autumn, the December elections to the Board of Directors for the next two years came up and we decided to go for it. But we had to prepare our vision and strategy thoroughly. I had to convince my colleagues from other pharmaceutical companies that, although I was a newcomer, thanks to my many years of work at MSD in various positions in a number of countries and with the support of my home team, I could bring new ideas.

And so what vision did you bring?

It has three pillars that have a major impact on the primary goal of all of us at AIFP, i.e. to ensure that patients have access to the most modern treatment in a timely manner. The first is to ensure a policy and regulatory environment that will enable rapid, broad and, I underline, sustainable access of Czech patients to innovative treatment. The second pillar is of a similar nature but lies at the EU level. A debate is underway in Brussels on a comprehensive reform of the already outdated legal framework for pharmaceutical legislation, which will affect the life cycle of medicines and their movement on the EU internal market for decades to come. As part of the third pillar, we focus on activities that will support the efficiency and financial sustainability of the Czech healthcare system.

Prevention must also play a greater role. Life expectancy in the Czech Republic is rising but almost 20 years of this life are spent in illness. A life in good health ends three to four years before official retirement age. For both employers and the state, this means that, on average, older and sicker people will work for them if nothing changes. But we need them healthy. Therefore, employers must appeal to the government to pay more attention to prevention and treatment options and to promote employee health benefits as an integral part of it. We are now facing more administrative demands.

Where is the role of MSD in this?

We can share our experience as an employer who employs around 1,600 people in the Czech Republic, across our different divisions. We offer a wide range of health benefits, including support for the use of premium health services, support for physical activities and vaccinations. As a manufacturer of vaccines that play a key role in prevention, we are active in raising awareness and disseminating information about the benefits of vaccination. We can offer vaccines to employers for their prevention programs, and we present data to the professional public on how increasing vaccination coverage saves the system money for treatment. 

Can you give a specific example?

Sure. Just to give you a small example. We see that a health-economic models shows that by increasing the vaccination rate of the Czech population with the 9-valent vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is responsible for several cancers or unpleasant genital warts, it is possible to significantly increase the years of life in full health. This reduces the costs not only of the health system, but also of the social system, as patients and their caregivers remain in the workforce longer. For example, the model shows that achieving a vaccination rate of 90% would mean eight times lower indirect costs for women and nine times lower indirect costs for men. Health insurance companies now cover vaccination against HPV infection for children in their 11 up to 14 years (i.e.till 15th birthday), when vaccination is most important. However, the model shows that it is also worthwhile to pay for vaccination for older adolescents and young adults, where the vaccine still shows high effectiveness. However, it makes sense to get vaccinated against HPV infection even in adulthood. Up to 80% of the population will encounter this virus in their lifetime!

In addition to prevention and vaccination, MSD is also active in the field of oncology. 

We are strong especially in the immuno-oncology, our medicines have improved and saved lives of many patients in the Czech Republic. However, our portfolio also includes products from other therapeutic areas such as HIV/AIDS, antivirals, diabetes or vaccines against pneumococcal infections. And our current research and development, in which we annually invest around $13 billion globally, is even broader, for example, in cardiovascular or neurodegenerative diseases.

And finally, a question of a more personal nature – what actually brought you to Prague?

I am really happy and extremely fortunate to have this opportunity to work and live in the Czech Republic. I have been following the Czech Republic for a long time, I like the incredible progress it has made since the revolution in 1989. Healthcare is at a very good level, but there is still a lot of catching up to do in terms of health and quality of life of the population, as I have already mentioned. And I would like to help and personally contribute to the health and future of the country.