Employee Spotlight • Meet: Yvonne

I am Yvonne, a global power user within Global Engineering based in Vienna, Austria.

What has your career journey with Takeda been so far?

I began my career in 2006 as a training coordinator in Pharmaceutical Production, and after two years, I transitioned to quality validation (QV). As a newbie to validation, I started as a QV representative for computerized systems validation. Three years later, I assumed the role of site QV lead for the Vienna Site.

After an incredible 11 years, where I learned a lot about quality systems, validation, regulatory requirements, and their importance, in 2019, I moved to Manufacturing/Finishing Operations in Vienna. Being at one of the last stages of our value chain taught me a lot about methodologies for fast problem-solving and reliable solutions.

Following my maternity leave, in 2022, I transitioned to my current position within Global Engineering as a global power user for the Kneat application, our Northstar solution for paperless validation.

What about your role do you find the most rewarding?

There are multiple opportunities to learn and grow personally and professionally. For example, working with diverse teams around the globe, contributing to our people engagement groups, like I do in our Gender Parity and Values Ambassador Network, and facing new technical challenges and the rewarding feeling of finding solutions.

What is your biggest achievement so far?

Being with the company for 17+ years and being recognized as a reliable peer.

But honestly, there have been many achievements that I would claim are 'big'. It’s hard to name the biggest one, as to me, an achievement is the result of something that has been a challenge before.

One of the most significant lessons I have learned is that I can achieve any goal I set my mind to, and there is always a way to overcome obstacles or roadblocks.

Who has helped you in your career and how?

My father, my leaders and mentors and of course myself.

My father who has been my role model showed me that he achieved all the goals he set for himself. He taught me that I could reach any goal I set for myself and encouraged me to strive for excellence.

Additionally, I had many leaders and mentors who served as role models and taught me the different tools for successfully leading and preparing me for my next career steps.

Also, my continuous endeavor in life-long learning, my interest in various areas and my openness to change helped me to further improve not only my personality but also my skill set.

My favorite quote on learning is from Henry Ford: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

When others ask, how do you describe what it’s like to work for Takeda?

Meaningful, never boring and so many opportunities to learn and grow.

A great place to work with many offerings and possibilities with a meaningful purpose: improving our patients’ lives.

How do you balance your personal interests and obligations outside of work? Do you have some tips to share with others on improving life-work alignment?

I love spending time with my family, exploring the world and collecting memories.

To maintain my personal interests outside of work and being a mom and wife, I try “habit stacking” as much as possible; Using my golden hour by getting up earlier than the rest of the family and doing “my” stuff, like bullet journaling, sports and meditation.

This fuels me for the upcoming day.