I assume I would have taken a similar path, but I would have been very fortunate. In the companies I worked for, qualifications and results were the decisive factors for professional advancement, not gender. I am aware of other companies and industries where it is more difficult for women to advance careers. So it depends on where you work and that people in the workplace are treated fairly and have the same opportunities regardless of gender on all levels.

Firstly I think none of us, no man, no woman, are free from gender stereotypes. But it is important to be aware of this and consciously work against it. Let’s focus on a topic that is one reason why women often take a back seat in career development: Parenting. For me having a child is the biggest gift. And I am sure that man and woman can both be a wonderful parent and have a successful career. But how do we manage our family, personal and professional ambitions? This is the question that is being asked often by individuals, businesses and on a political level. The question of who takes the vast majority or the parental leave, often depends on which country and society you live in. Also the flexibility of the employer determines how you can combine family and career. I hope that in the future the answer will only be a family decision, and not a decision based on social or company restrictions.

I strive for building high performing teams that are diverse, ensure that people feel included and that they feel they belong to our company. We expect our managers to do the same. For example when we select potential candidates for job interviews, we remove all data that can identify gender. Last but not least, Amgen offers a high degree of flexibility in where and when our staff do their work, which helps to combine family and work.