Celebrating Diversity: Being true to yourself unlocks your full potential

Fostering an inclusive work environment and promoting diversity in the workplace is at the core of our company's culture. With June, widely recognized as Pride Month, Lek, a Sandoz company, proudly raises the rainbow flag at our locations to express unwavering support for our associates and the LGBTQI+ community. We are committed to safeguarding their rights, ensuring equal social inclusion, and celebrating diversity. Together with Salvatore Carmisciano, we explored the importance of Pride Month and the positive impact of diversity and inclusion on company culture and success.

Salvatore has been a valuable part of Lek since 2016. In addition to his main role of Director in Technical Project and Portfolio Management Biosimilars group in Slovenia, he leads the Pride Slovenia Employee Resource Group (ERG) and is a core member of the Sandoz LGBTQI+ leadership equity team. He recounts his story of growing up in a very conservative environment in a small southern Italian village, where life was not easy. He always feared being judged and discriminated for who he truly was. “I was hiding my authentic self until I was 35 years old. This took a lot of energy that I could have used differently,” he explains. In 2020, when we at Lek raised the rainbow flag, he realized his work environment was safe enough to come out and embrace his true self. “This act required immense courage. I think I sourced it from my team, colleagues, and the open environment around me.” Since that pivotal moment, he has redirected his energy towards supporting the LGBTQI+ community, actively raising awareness and providing support.

When you can be yourself, you work to your full potential and turn on your superpowers.

Salvatore Carmisciano, Director in Technical Project and Portfolio Management Biosimilars

Motivating associates through fostering an inclusive environment

Diversity has always been a reality, today it's undeniably getting more attention and understanding due to science and research showing the value of it. The more the society adapts to embrace it, the greater its benefits. Fostering an inclusive environment where everyone's voice is heard and ideas are welcomed makes all the difference in achieving business success. Lek has taken several noteworthy steps to support diversity in recent years. There has been a significant increase in awareness and education about LGBTQI+ topics. In 2021, we received the LGBT-friendly company certificate awarded by the Municipality of Ljubljana. Additionally, we have strengthened our Employee Resource Group (ERG) in Slovenia, which played a crucial role in establishing the Pride ERG in Italy in 2022. To further promote inclusivity, we launched the “This is me” survey in Slovenia in 2022, aimed at better understanding the experience of the LGBTQI community within Lek and fostering a fully inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Since 2022, we have actively collaborated with external partners through public affairs initiatives, working towards influencing society. “We have made tremendous progress in recent years, but there is always room for improvement. Managers can take the lead in addressing diversity and inclusion during regular staff meetings, empowering associates to engage in open discussions and become even better allies,” says Salvatore.

When we empower each other to rock our true selves, we discover more, we create opportunities, and we change lives.

Salvatore Carmisciano, Director in Technical Project and Portfolio Management Biosimilars

Building an inclusive environment begins with fostering psychological safety for everyone on a daily basis. We embrace a leadership approach that champions open-mindedness, active listening, heightened awareness, deep connections, inclusive language, and respect for pronouns. By implementing these practices, we empower everyone to feel secure in expressing themselves, sharing their ideas, and challenging the status quo. This allows us to unlock limitless potential, create opportunities, and transform lives.